May 19, 2015 by Stephanie

First Impressions of ABC’s Monday Night

Last night’s line-up on ABC was just what a night of television should be.

Full of surprises. Full of drama. Full of dancing.

If you have been around here long, you know that I love Dancing With the Stars, and the Bachelor franchise is my guilty TV pleasure.

First up Dancing With the Stars.

This has been one of the best seasons I have watched, and I have watched them all folks. I think this is the first time the three couples in the finale have been this close. There is just something special about this season. It has been very magical and very tearful. I think I have cried almost every episode.

In my opinion, the mirror-ball trophy could go to any one of them. And I would be completely fine with any of them winning. Usually, I have a clear favorite and will be upset if one of the other three win. Not this year. I have voted for them all as the leader at some point of this competition. (After the first couple weeks, I do actually vote by the dancing.)

They have all shown vast improvement, and bring a different strength to the show and to dancing.

They all had stellar free styles, which in the past have made clear winners. Anyone remember the Stacy Keibler free-style flop?

I think that Allison and Riker are my favorites to win, but then I feel bad and want the other two to win…So I have no idea who I want to win.

Then the Bachelorette premiered.

This wins the most awkward award. They started the night with two Bachelorettes, Kaitlyn and Britt.

It was almost painful watching them meet the men coming out of limo. Having the guys choose which woman to meet first hurt my heart…And then some of the guys would say the same thing to each girl who could HEAR the conversations. They were standing so close. How about those guys who only introduced themselves to one girl and then walked in the house. Awkward.

Britt said that Kaitlyn was cheating when she went in the house. There are no rules to this show. Don’t you know that by now Britt? Do you remember that trip in Iowa you made or when you snuck off for alone time with Chris? You are just jealous that you didn’t think to do what Kaitlyn did first.

Then this guy Ryan, who they ended up kicking off the show. He was saying and doing some really inappropriate things. He was joking about rape, picking fights, and touching the women inappropriately. I am glad the show’s executives decided to end his night for him. Although, my radio show is convinced that he was a plant, so there’s that.

It was a very interesting twist to the first night. I think Britt said that it was really hard to be genuine because she felt like she was trying to win everyone over in a few minutes for their vote. Well first of all you are on the Bachelor so yea…But I do agree that it added a weird element that kind of rocked the boat. But you know ratings…

My first impression rose would go to…Joe (moonshine guy) or Shawn B (the guy with the nephew drawing).

And talk about a cliff hanger! I was hoping to know who would actually be the Bachelorette, but no.

I am team Kaitlyn myself. I don’t know if I could watch a whole season of Britt.

Who would your first impression rose go to? Who do you want to win DWTS? Will you be watching tonight to see how things turn out on either show?

May 13, 2015 by Stephanie

Fit for Me 19/52

What I did last week:

Thursday-I was going to play volleyball, but it was cancelled. Since our cousin was watching George already, I took advantage of having some alone time with the dogs and took them for an hour walk.

Sunday-We had planned on going hiking as a family, but the rain spoiled that plan. We ended up doing a 30 minute stroll through our neighborhood.

Monday-20 minute ab workout as I was bawling through Monday’s episode of Dancing With the Stars. My emotions got a workout this night.

Tuesday-I have gotten cocky, and I attempted walking the dogs with George again. We did just over a mile. George doesn’t seem to mind; he just falls asleep in the wrap. The dogs get some attention they desperately need. And my whole body gets strained. So it’s a win for everyone I guess.

Impressed by:

I am just impressed that I am keeping up with this. I think this is the most motivated and consistent I have been with working out for a couple years. Go me!

Struggled with:

Nothing major this week. I was feeling pretty good about myself with my birthday and Mother’s Day. No time to struggle when everyone is celebrating you right?

Did I meet my goal from last week?

Well we sort of went on a hike. We still did a family walk which is essentially had the idea of my Mother’s Day tradition at heart. I do want to do some exploring in the area. There are some great nature trails and parks that we have to take advantage of!

What is my goal for next week?

I actually am going to do two challenges for the next month. I want to work on both my planks and push-ups. So I found two options on Pinterest that I am going to follow. They both seem to be manageable and start small and increase slowly each day. So my goal is to start it.

Fitness Thoughts:

Walking really can be a workout. I think people push it aside all too often to be easy, but man do I get winded sometimes walking those dogs!

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Have you ever done a plank or push-up challenge?

May 12, 2015 by Stephanie

One More Year Down Before 35

I feel like I did pretty good this month!

1. Crochet something else besides blankets or scarves at least once a year (~~2013~~, ~~2014~~, ~~2015~~, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

2. Do a photography challenge

Keeping up with this still! I am not the best with uploading, but I getting them in the camera at least. I have a couple weeks from this month I need to get on my computer…
Anyway, here are some of my favs from this month with George.

3. ~~Visit 5 cities I have never been to before~~ (7/5)

We went to Rocheport, MO this weekend for my birthday. Booming metropolis of 239 people. If you want high priced antiques, you must stop here. Seriously though, it was such a cute little place to get away.

4. Tour at least one winery, brewery, or distillery

Tom and I dined at Les Bourgeois (winery if you couldn’t guess) this last weekend for my birthday. Unfortunately, I did not find a wine that I liked. Tator tots on the other hand…

5. Send at least 5 snail mail a month

6. Become a “professional” photographer

I have a session planned almost every weekend this month, so I think it may be safe to say this has happened? What!?!
This picture just gets me every time I look at this cutie!

7. Run at least 10 races (any distance) (2/10)

I did the March of Dimes event this month. I have a few other races planned!

8. Go camping with Tom

9. Pay for the car behind me in a drive through

10. See Tyrone Wells live as many times as possible

11. ~~Tour Fort Defiance here in Clarksville~~

12. Water ski with my dad

13. Do a 5K with my mom

14. Take a swing dance class with Tom

15. Read at least one fun book a month and one professional development book every three months

16. Take a pottery or stained glass class

17. Do one new recipe each month

18. See both a Clemson and UCM football game live

19. Find a place to volunteer on a regular basis

I started volunteering with Girls on the Run this weekend actually. I am really excited to see what more I can do for this organization. It’s a really awesome and unique organization that empowers young girls early on. It was a great way to start out my birthday festivities this weekend.

20. Go hiking

We had full intentions of doing this for our Mother’s Day tradition, but it rained most of the day Sunday causing us to just do a stroll around the neighborhood. Another day soon hopefully!

21. Ride in a hot air balloon

22. ~~Go to at least 20 “new to me” restaurants.~~ (23/20)

23. Stay at a bed and breakfast

Best birthday idea ever! Tom and I left George with my mom for the night, and we booked a room at a B&B near our town. It was just perfect. It was a quaint little town that was just the kind of down to earth weekend I wanted to celebrate my birthday. It was also the first time I had left George with someone else over night. Tom and I really haven’t been out intentionally without George since he was born, so it was so nice to have that quality and peaceful time to reconnect after everything that has gone down over the past month. Bed and Breakfasts are just as amazing as I always thought they were! Its so much more homey than a hotel, but you are getting that feel of a vacation all at the same time. AND THE FOOD WAS AMAZING! It was by far the best breakfast I have ever had in my life. Happy Mother’s Day to me! Also who doesn’t love homemade cookies whenever you want all day? So delish! I am fairly certain between the two of us we ate a dozen of these dream cookies.

24. Spend a day without electronics (phone, t.v. and computer)

25. Do something unique and new for my birthdays

Bed and Breakfast it is!

26. ~~Explore Nashville while we live here~~

27. Watch at least 10 movies that I have not seen before that won Best Picture at the Oscars and at least 20 documentaries (not necessarily Oscar winning) Movies (2/10); Documentaries (7/20)

28. Sew an item of clothing from scratch

29. Do a personal devotional/bible study on my own

30. Be a mascot for an event

31. Go on our honeymoon (preferably somewhere tropical)

32. Host an annual NCAA Basketball Tournament Championship game party

33. Go on a mission trip

34. Be on a recreation volleyball team

I have been trying to do this but every time I have gotten a babysitter and gone to play, they aren’t playing. Whomp whomp. Hopefully here soon.

35. ~~Become a mom~~

I had my first harsh mom judgement comment (from a stranger) this past week. I guess it’s good that it took 8 months for someone to have a negative opinion?!? The internet can be brutal when people think they can weigh in on your parental decisions. We also celebrated our first out of womb Mother’s Day. I am so happy to be George’s mom, even if we don’t follow the instruction manuals. Oh wait, babies don’t come with those….
I just love him so much.

I checked a lot of things off! Go me and my 30 year old self!

May 10, 2015 by Stephanie

The Mom Workout

In honor of Mother’s Day, I wanted to share some of my favorite Mom inspired strength training moves.

Who needs the gym when you are a mom? We totally have a workout circuit in every day life to sculpt our Mom Bods.

1. Bicep Curls- Because carrying that carseat just gets harder every day.

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2. Calf Raises- Because of all the tip-toeing that occurs because you just got that baby to sleep after crying for the longest stretch of time ever.

3. Squats- Because you have to keep the baby upright while you hold him but your kid has thrown his pacy on the ground again. So squats you do so you don’t capsize the baby.

4. Squat Pulses- Because you have to spend 30 minutes bouncing your baby to sleep so you might as well get a good burn for it.

5. Stretches in General- There are many variations of stretches. You have the “I’m holding the baby asleep, but my water glass is just out of reach” stretch. Then there is the “I’m sitting on the play mat with kiddo and his toy is not in his reach but yet he can’t move to get said toy and he is crying for it.” Then the favorite of “I’m holding this kid’s legs so he wont smear poop everywhere but I need to get those wipes on limited range of motion.”

6. The Sprint- Because you inevitably didn’t park next to the cart return, so you have to put the baby in the car and then sprint the cart back to the return and then sprint back to the car. Or you can just repeat the bicep curl and carry that stinking carseat.

7. Shoulder Press- Because you get the best giggles when you lift your kid up in the air over your head, so you proceed to do it a thousand times.

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8. Chest Flys- Because of peek-a-boo.

9. Cardio- Because pushing that stroller with baby and diaper bag is no easy thing.

10. Swimming- Because once your baby learns how to splash at bath time it feels like you just did laps yourself.

11. Burpee Variation- Because inevitably when I am sitting or laying down, that child needs something. But once I get up he just smiles and no longer needs it. Then you do this on repeat for five minutes. Up, down, up, down…

12. The Ultimate Crunch- This is more of a one time deal with each baby, but let’s not forget the stomach workout it took to become a mom. I have never held a crunch as long as I did during labor. Unfortunately I did not have the six pack abs to prove this feat…

This was all in good fun, but seriously being a mom can be a hard workout at times. Our bodies are definitely “training” in various ways.

Being a mom is the most exhausting and demanding workout seeing as we are doing it 24/7, but I am having a blast doing it! And seriously I do think there are mom arms…

Here’s to all the Moms out there for all the things you do! Let’s all rock our Mom Bods!

May 8, 2015 by Stephanie

360 Months

My brother and I on my 6th birthday.

Since we are marking George’s age by month currently, it made me think about how many months I will be tomorrow.

On my 30th birthday.

That will make me 360 months old.

That is a whole lot of months.

30 seems like an age where everything is different. The pressure is on to really start adulting. It is time to be serious about family, about planning for retirement, about other adulty things that are oh so serious.

Does this look like someone who is ready to be adulting?

Some think not…but all of us in these photos have reached this time. And we are going to make 30 look amazing!

(Because most people think we are are in our early 20s…)

But to get serious with you for a sec, I think about my life in that 360 term.

There is something poetic about it.

As I turn 30, I really have made a lot of 360s in my life. I have developed and made complete turnarounds.

You make 360s as you go through different phases.

I am not who I was at 5. I am so glad I am not who I was at 15. I wouldn’t even recognize who 20 year old me was. And while at 25 I thought I had myself figured out, there was still so much for me to learn.

But then again, all of that is still a part of me. Even though I have changed every year, those pieces are still part of my inner circle. (See what I did there?) I realize what I have learned over the years has made me who I am today as I enjoy my last day in my twenties.

I have learned that play is important.

I have learned that drinking from a straw is really the only way to go.

I have learned that a good belly laugh can make everything seem ok.

I have learned that N’Sync is really the only boy band that is important.

I have learned that sometimes you have to put yourself out there even if talking to a stranger is the scariest thing.

I have learned that a headband will fix any bad hair day.

I have learned the right way to ride a roller coaster.

I have learned that sometimes that person only needs you to listen to their story, and that “Tell me more about that” is really the best question to ask.

I have learned that it is really not a good playground unless there is a swing set.

I have learned that there will always be room to improve, and that I will not always be perfect.

I have learned that a good book is one of the best escapes.

I have learned that making a list helps bring down my anxiety.

I have learned being a Royals fan is really the best kind of fan, and the wins are so sweet.

I have learned that I love teaching but not in the traditional sense.

I have learned your taste in things may change over time…Hello and Goodbye to that velour phase.

I have learned exercising can be fun when you find the right activity and/or people to do it with.

I have learned that sometimes you just need to eat a whole bag of Twizzlers.

I have learned music is a beautiful expression of emotions.

I have learned ice cream cake is the best kind of cake.

I have learned that it feels good to dance like no one is watching (even when people are watching).

I have learned that you haven’t experienced real joy until you become a parent.

I have learned that there really isn’t a bad pizza.

I have learned to show gratitude.

I have learned that there is so much joy when you hear someone you know is selling Girl Scout cookies.

I have learned that the good stuff in life doesn’t always come easy.

I have learned that I should wear sunblock.

I have learned that dogs are the most loving creatures.

I have learned that you cannot please everyone, and that you will be miserable trying to do so.

I have learned that education never stops.

I have learned that God is the ultimate redeemer.

I have learned that love is really what life is about.

So here is to the first 30 years and the lessons I have encountered. High Five Self.

Some people may think of 30 as a death sentence to the fun life and a time to stress about what they have not accomplished and that it is just the beginning of being old. I don’t believe that is the case at all. First of all, being able to celebrate another year on this earth is such a blessing. I LOVE birthdays! Secondly, I would have to say I have never loved my life as much as I do right now. I am fairly confident in who I am as a person and finally feel that things have fallen into place. Yes there are more responsibilities in this time of my life, but there is some sweetness in that stability that I am really enjoying. I feel like I can enjoy life a little more freely because I know what I like and am more put together in a sense. And seriously who wants to be a teenager their entire life?

Not this gal.

So 30 doesn’t seem so bad. I am not going to have a nervous breakdown or an existential crises because of being the big 3-0. I am ready to make the thirties my best decade yet!

And apparently I am in good company of people who are also turning 30 this year. 85 and alive!

PS. Derek Hough, we need to have a joint party some day. Just saying, our birthdays are a weekish apart. And I would make a great dance partner.

Now bring on the desserts!