A brief catch up, pictures and soda........

Office job has been crazy busy before I left on vacation and even worse after I got back. But I have decided to take a mental break from the piles of files and post on my poor neglected blog....

The weekend before we left on vacation we had Blake's birthday party at the Fugitive Beach. We had an awesome time had a great pavillion that was right on the water and wasn't real crowded where we were. Blake loved it and it was a nice get away for all of us. I have tons of pictures on my camera that I will upload and post later but here are a few from my phone.

Here is Connie going down the big water slide its over 60 foot long. She was the first of many from our group to go down it. I passed not a fan of that kind of thing not to mention that location has bad memories....

The water is dyed blue and is sooo pretty.

Thankfully Blake wanted a simple cake. He really wanted a camo/hunting cake but liked the chocolate icing with orange writing and target on there. We had bought lots of pizza for everyone to eat as well.

 

 



On Blake's actual birthday I was off work, I had taken the Thursday and Friday before we left for vacation to destress and pack. So I took the kids to the local pool to swim both days!

 

Hard to believe Blake is 9!!!!! And Nathan will soon be 5!!!!!!!!
Blake had his last baseball game the night before we left, he definatly LOVES playing and can't wait until next season starts.

I got a Vienna paper on Thursday while in town and looking thru and came across something I didn't expect but was super sweet to see....

Connie thank you for the nice note to every one who helped that day. I am glad I was able to be there even tho it wasn't easy on any of us there and I wished so bad that I could have been able to do more for you and your family that day.

Saturday we left on vacation to Colorado. I haven't decided how I will do the posts for that yet may wait until all pictures are uploaded on to the computer then do a few breaking it up in to events and things we did while there.

And for soda.... Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE LOVE LOVE fountain Dr. Pepper and really want it when I am super stressed. However after a lot of thinking I have decided to give it up totally for now. Been having a big cup of coffee in the mornings with sugar and creamer but still figure one cup with sugar and creamer is less calories and icky ingredients than two big fountain sodas.

I haven't set a goal on how long I will stay away from soda just taking it one day at a time. I had my last soda Saturday morning and yesterday was the worst day I had awful headache! Monday night working all night and doing two back to back transfers I wanted one soooo bad. Thankfully the two people I was with don't drink soda which helped tons.

I also want to find a race to start training for something that will challenge me and make me find a plan, would love to find a friend who can help keep me accountable and be supportive and push me when needed.

Checking in

I have been MIA for a few weeks. Sorry about that but I do have some posts coming up. Blake's 9th birthday party, baseball as well as our vacation we took. I just haven't had the time to sit and put it all in writing. 

Catch up on life and 4th of July weekend

So it's been a long while since I posted. Last week was crazy busy I pulled a 100+ hour work week in 5 days. 66 hours at ambulance from Sunday to Friday morning and then my regular job. Was so glad to clock out 8am on Friday and know I had 3 days away from both jobs.

I told the boys I would take them swimming even tho I wanted nothing more than to take a nap we packed up and headed to the pool. 

The boys loved the pool. We met some of their friends from daycare there a well as kyler their cousin. They all had a great time and didn't want to leave. 

They didn't want to take a picture with me but I got one anyway. Nathan decided to take a break on my lap in between swimming. 

He shared some nachos and well had cheese all over. We finally convinced the kids we needed to leave and told them we would stop at yokidoki wish I would have thought to take a picture. It was the first time for them to have frozen yogurt and actually I didn't tell them until after. They thought it tasted just like ice cream. 

We went home to rest a bit then headed for the carnival I may or may not have been living off soda to keep me awake. The kids loved riding rides then playing games. I got to catch up with Kathy while she was working the pull tab booth. 

We watched the fire works then headed home. 

Saturday started out ok kids slept in which was so nice! I had to be at the fire dept to load up stuff as we were going to cook at an all school reunion in St. James that evening. We got there got everything set up and our pagers went off. The call was quite a ways from where we were Donnie and I stood there debating on going, his dad who's the chief said two could go and two could stay. Well Donnie said that he and I would go and take my car. Do I drive fast no not real fond of it even in the ambulance however he is since he's a deputy. So I flew and nope didn't look at how fast just held on and drove. Still not really sure how to put in to words about that call. I do know that I was glad we went glad I knew the area glad to have made a phone call to get a friend with a truck who also knew the area to help us get down to where we needed to be. I know all things happen for reasons and most time reasons we don't understand. I was glad to be a familiar face to my friends who are like family to me to be there to comfort them as much as was possible in that situation. It was also my first time to step up take charge of a call and get things done that needed done. At the time I didn't realize I was the leader, I didn't have seniority over our fire fighters there, but I was the one who stepped up I don't think anyone else knew what to do or wanted to do it. There was a lot of firsts for me that afternoon/evening things I hope to never do in my career again (even tho I know things like that will I can only hope its not involving close friends). We stayed as long as we could afterwards I felt bad leaving but knew we had to get back to help cook at the function in St. James. The way back to town felt like it took forever we decided to stop at Mobil and get us a fountain soda and got two small bottles of american honey to put in it. Not sure it helped either of us but it sounded and tasted good. I sat off to myself most of the rest of the evening wasn't sure how to process what happened going over what I wish I could have done but knowing deep down the outcome would have been the same. 

Comfort Zone

It's been a while since I posted between both jobs, boys  having ball practice and games I have lots on my mind but none that seems blog worthy.

Anyone who knows me knows I don't venture out of my comfort zone, I like my little bubble where I know how and what will happen and know I can handle it.

This week has been one where I have fallen out of my little bubble and tried some new things. Earlier in the week Nathan's tball coach told the assistant coach that he couldn't do the practice this week. She asked me if I would help her ha... Um I have never coached anything let alone be out on the field with up to 15 3-4 year olds showing them how to play. Lets not forget I never played ball in my life and sure didn't know much about it. Thankfully there aren't many "rules" in tball they hit the ball and run there are no outs or strikes.

So Wednesday night Nathan and I went to the ball fields and met the rest of the team. Up until then Nathan had been clingy during games not wanting to be on the field without me. We talked on the way about how he would have to be out there with his team as I would be helping all the kids. He did awesome he batted great with me then he went out in the outfield and I saw him interacting with other kids I was one proud momma!!!!! Now the real test will be if he can do that same thing tonight for the game...

Last night I didn't think I would have anything going on could go home and relax. However mid afternoon got a text from a friend saying they were a couple girls short for their co ed softball game that night. I had never ever played softball on a team for a real game. Sure we played some in highschool and junior high in gym class. I have always wanted to play but never gave it a try. So last night I sucked up my courage met the team. I only knew two of the players and thankfully they aren't real competitive team they do it for fun.

To say I was nervous is a huge understatement but I went out in the outfield and played right field. And yes I had to ask where that was! The rules are WAY WAY different than regular baseball and even different than Blake's bantam ball. But I just listened to the team and did what they said. I was the only left handed batter on the team. Fun fact... I am right handed at everything except batting and golf (only played golf once but found out I was left handed). I hit the ball each time up to bat and always made it to base!

Mid way thru the first game (we were playing a double header) the team asked if I could come back next week as they were short a player. I was shocked apparently I played well enough I was wanted back! We won the first game and lost the second, pretty sure that was the first game that team had ever won! About a quarter of the way thru the second game Kenny and the boys showed up to watch me. Blake and Nathan thought it was cool and well Kenny said I needed to run faster. Ha running on concrete or treadmill is way different than loose dirt plus I had old shoes on and I really need my good ones that have better support.

After the game the coach came up to me and said I really hope you can come back for the rest of the games this season! So I guess next Thursday night I will play another double header. I think this weekend and this coming up week I will work on running sprints and on my batting stance.

I never in a million years would have thought I would be a on a softball team but it was super fun and one heck of a workout! Not to mention doing something that makes your kids excited and them proud of you is pretty darn neat!

Vega Sport Review

This is the first time I have had the opportunity to receive a product to review and then blog about it. I am apparently bad about remembering to take pictures after a workout or maybe I am just insecure about pictures of just me. Which ever way I did post one to facebook before I forgot last week.

So thru being a Sweat Pink Ambassador I was able to review and try Vega Sport Pre Workout Energizer. The box said to mix the packet with 8oz of water and drink 20 minutes prior to workout.

I am not usually a big fan of these type of drinks however I was impressed. It took a bit of getting used to the flavor. I had never tried acai berry flavored anything before. It seemed to mix up well I did mix it with about 10 to 12 oz of water. I drank it and then went outside to play baseball with my boys. I tried this on a day that I was running off very little sleep (and little sleep for whole week) and was exhausted. Within half hour of drinking it I was full of energy and able to keep up with the boys. We played for over a good hour me pitching the ball to them and running after it and playing catch. Even after we were done outside I was still full of energy and was able to get some cleaning done in the house.

I would defiantly be willing to try out more of their products as they are all plant based. The drink mix i had was only 70 calories so very doable if you are watching calorie intake.

I didn't use my whole box of yet so I plan to use it again soon for a lunch time workout. My workouts lately have been outside with the kids running in the yard playing ball and riding bikes. However I think that the drink would be a great thing to have right before a race or even during a race if it was higher mileage race.

I liked that it gave me energy but no crash later, didn't have the shakes or my insides feel like they were going crazy. Defiantly recommend the product!

Ball Season

Blake and Nathan are both playing baseball this summer. It's Nathans first year and Blake's second time playing. I was apprehensive on letting them both play as its two nights a week of practice then games on Friday night.

Nathan well he gets a bit overwhelmed in new situations with lots of people he don't know. So Friday night I knew would be a challenge for him with his first game. Didn't help that they only had one practice to meet each other. All day Friday the sitter said he hadn't felt real good and well that continued on to game time. He still wanted to play but wanted Blake and I out there with him. The coach encouraged all parents to come out and help as 3-4 year olds don't know how to play tball yet.

 

 

He was in the outfield waiting for a ball to come his way but he is so not a toddler anymore!

 

The first time he was up to bat he didn't want to do it. So I talked with him and then the next time around he said he wanted to as long as I came with him. I did and even had to run the bases with him. I am sure that was a fun site to see ha ha ha...

 

I know I am his mom but he is one of the better hitters on his team. He hit the ball hard and if he would have been in to it could have got to 3rd before the other team got the ball back to the bases. Of course all the parents who were out there with his team told him he had done a great job and he finally cracked a smile. He is excited for practice this week he has his eye on two little girls on his team...

After Nathans game it was Blake's turn. I wasn't sure how he would do he gets a bit stubborn at times and has a bit of an attitude when things don't go how he wants.

 

 





Before his game he was so cute in his baseball pants! He wanted cleates too but I couldn't find any prior to the game. He now has a pair so I am sure he will think hes all that :)

 

He was up to bat 3 times in his game and he hit it good and hard all 3 times! I was a proud momma and he is one of the stronger hitters on his team as well! He even made an excellent play in the outfield. His team had only practiced batting on the ball diamond due to rain but the whole team did awesome.

 

I am excited to take both boys to practice this week and see how much more they learn. It makes for stress and long evenings for me but to see them play last week was all worth it.



Memorial Weekend

Yes I am a bit behind posting this but last week being a short week due to holiday was a bit crazy. Each Memorial Weekend we attend and help with an annual pig roast. The boys look forward to it each year and play from sun up until way after dark. Its the one weekend a year they have the freedom to run play with friends get dirty and not have to stop until they are sleeping.

This year it rained the morning we went to shoot the pig which made it a muddy mess. The boys of course had no worries they had fun riding their bikes in the mud and being caked in it.

We got the pig from a different place this year and when we went back to the barn to wash the pig off the owner came out of barn carrying what else.. a puppy... And headed straight for my kids who were oh look a puppy... Of course I knew what the guy was up to he handed the kids the puppy and told them they could have it... I had no desire to have a dog or puppy but couldn't say no either. It is pretty darn cute.

However we had no puppy or dog stuff and weren't going to be home for the weekend. I was a bit stressed but figured we would fly by the seat of our pants and make it work for a couple days. We got a dog carrier from my brother in law and I ran to the store for food dishes collar etc.

 

This year was the first year Blake has taken interest in helping clean the pig. So they let him hose it off he was quite a happy boy.. Nathan sat on the haybales holding his puppy. Which they decided to name Harlee.

 

Not sure when it happened but Blake looks so grown up!!!!!



 

Sunday morning the pig was looking and smelling yummy. The kids kept asking when their April and Cash would arrive. They were very excited to see April and the baby :)

 

It was the only time other than when they were sleeping they stopped playing and riding bikes. They both soaked up all the time they could get.

 



We came home Sunday evening and in between storms the boys took the puppy out. This is how Nathan chose to take his puppy potty.. Underwear boots and a shirt....

Monday we spent the morning cleaning up from the pig roast and this happened.. Blake drove our truck by himself thru the field!

 

 Both boys are growing up to fast. I should have took way more pictures but instead I just enjoyed the company of friends we don't see often and watched all the kids play together. We ate some yummy fish on Saturday night and then pig on Sunday. By Monday evening we were all wore out and ready to be cleaned up and mud free.

 

I am glad that we are able to be a part of the pig roast weekend and help set up cook and even the clean up. Its something Kenny and I grew up going to and now we are getting to pass the tradition down to our kids.