Hearing the Heart Beat

Most expecting moms at this point in waiting, are getting to hear their baby's heart beat at their doctor visits.

I may not be able to write anything about my future child's heart beat just yet, but I can sure tell you about mine!

I believe I've mentioned on occasion how annoying I find this whole "waiting" process. It has been a year and a half since we started this whole Foster/Adopt adventure. it has been 5 months since the State approved our home for Foster children. It has been 2 months since our last paper-signing visit with our Social Worker. It has been 2 weeks since I've heard anything from her.

She finally called at the beginning of April to schedule her own home inspection! ...Just in time for us to tell her we are currently doing a make-over on our peeled-paint-pink-sink bathroom. (please picture me, appropriately ripping my hair out.)

One step forward, two steps back?? Uuugh!!!!

So hopefully she will be able to come do her visit in the next few weeks after the bathroom is complete...and definitely after I can take a shower again.

that. is. SO true! seriously!

Since I hate waiting, and since I love setting goals for myself and crushing through them, I've decided to get in the best shape I can for my future family. Seriously, I have no excuse. I'm adopting, I'm not pregnant, I'm not missing limbs, I'm not helpless, I don't have any broken bones...I can do cardio, I can do sit ups, I can lift weights, I can eat healthy and focus on the health of my own personal body.

The only thing standing in my way, is ME.

I'm going to throw out a little disclaimer here and now: I really don't like working out at all. Although I'm starting to slowly fall in love with it!

so does Sarah...

 I just reeeeally love the feeling the day after when I can't brush my teeth because my arms are still shaking. It means I've accomplished something better than seeing the same lame tv show over and over the night before! I never look at the scale. None of this is about my weight, just about muscle and fitness and health. I never skip a meal, ever...or a snack! I am constantly eating something! But, it all has to be healthy food! Oh, and I am also by no means an expert on food, fitness or anything else you might think.
...and I don't run. Not yet anyway, we'll see if my knees can take it one day.

SO true! drop that diet, just be healthy!

Here is the one rule I have for myself when I work out: Do as many as you can do, then do two more.

I don't count reps, I don't count time, I just go until I am sweating and shaking and I can't breath anymore. I can usually make it through the Hour long P90X video, but just barely.
 I don't keep track of my heart beat...although I probably should because I'm good at going till it wants to take its beat to the living room floor and start its own 80's disco dance.

I have absolutely no excuse to better myself every day. Some things are so simple! Don't eat junk food! It's not as hard as you think. No soda! (which is just a disgusting, sugary drink anyway and I've never liked it), and no fast food!

can I get an "amen"?!!

 Do you really think God made our amazing human bodies so we could consume horrid amounts of sugar and sit on the couch everyday?! No! He gave us plants and animals and WATER! Do you think he appreciates you stuffing processed food and sugar liquid (aka soda) into your body? Do you really, honestly think your spouse appreciates it? Don't ever take the easy way out, easy is never better. Don't be cheap with the one body you'll ever have! ...those are just some thoughts that got me motivated... is it working on you yet?

I'm not going to lie, I cheat on my healthy-food plan every single morning. I have coffee. Yes, I love my coffee and my little bit of fat-free half n half.
The trick is, small amounts, and definitely no sugar! And if I know I did my best in the work out the night before, I don't feel bad having one yummy thing that makes me happy in the morning before I hit the stressful road to work.

Like anything in life, it's all about determination, dedication, persistence, patients, strength and self worth. I have been working hard at this fitness thing for 2 months now. I actually started to write this a few weeks back but, GUESS WHAT?! I've been TOO busy working out after work instead of sitting on the couch with my lap top!
Now THAT feels good to say!

push ups, planking, salads, determination...do it.

Tips: Every time I have an errand running day, I'll bring orange and apple slices in the car with me, along with some fruity water. This way I am never tempted to stop at some convenient evil drive thru.

this is usually what my home-made lunches look like every day.
I NEVER go out to eat while I'm at work. That's a horrible habit.

Every day, I wake up (around 5:15am), get ready for work, make a healthy breakfast and our lunches, drive 40ish minutes to work, work all day, drive 40ish minutes home, make dinner, (and by now it's 8pm), and the rest is up to me. Watch tv? Sit and eat cookies? Go on the computer? Or do some 50 min. Cardio from my P90X dvd's and feel amaaaaazing the next morning?!

THIS quote right here, got me off my butt once and for all!
NO MORE EXCUSES.

It's true, YOU have to decide what is important for you, and if it is a life changer that you want... You'll MAKE the time for it.

I'm currently waiting on everyone else to deliver my future to me at this point. My kids are not in my hands, they're in God's hands, and until He gives them to me, I'm going to work my butt off and live a healthy life!

Instead of sitting in our future kid's bedroom, looking at the un-used toys and cute, soft little animal baby blankets, feeling depressed and feeling sorry for myself, wishing I had more control on our future... I'm going to take full control of something I know I can accomplish with enough determination! When you work out, you get out of it what you put into it. So all that energy that used to be focused on wishing and dreaming, turned into DOING. Give 100%, and see the results! It's awesome.

I figure if I can obsess over anything other than waiting for my foster kids, fitness might as well be my obsession! And I'll tell ya what, I'm LOVING the lifestyle change! And I'm not planning on stopping anytime in the near future.

'Till next time then... I'm off to give my dogs a nice long walk in the fresh air and sunshine!


ps, if you have Instagram on your phone, my awesome (very fit) friend Kelley joined up with me for a little inspirational "fitness" album. you can see it here
 -->http://followgram.me/2fitchixx
or just look up "2fitchixx" on instagram. :)

Be CAUSE He said so.

I've come across a few pretty interesting organizations in the last few years... And in the last few weeks, I've been trying to find more ways to help the Orphans, and how to also help others in my friend/Facebook/Blog/Email readers' circle, help the Orphans.

 Most of the people I know, do not have money trees growing in their back yards. I know I sure don't! And this excuse has been stopping me from giving just a little extra to the needy lately. I work really, really hard for my money, and I have bills to pay and a life to live. I'm going to admit right here, I'm a saver. I hold on tight to that money. I saved over $80 cash in a tin can when I was about 14 yrs old, along with a $100 bill my grandparents gave me when I turned 16. I saved that special bill until about a year ago, because I couldn't figure out what was important enough to waste it on. That $100 bill was that special to me. I'm good at saving! However, I had to stop and take a few steps back. What am I saving all my hard earned cash for?
While I was stepping back, I also took a look at what I was unnecessarily spending money on. I only liked spending my money on things I "needed." I saved and saved, and it was my money...so of course I "couldn't afford to help others."
Well, news flash: It's not my money, it's the Lord's money! He has provided this money for me, and I need to use it for Him.

This year, I'm on a new kick with working-out and eating healthier, and my new motto is "NO EXCUSES!"
Now I feel I should apply this motto to other areas in my life.

 

 

I had to start somewhere.

#1, I've cut back on Starbucks. Usually Thursday is the hardest, longest, most annoying day at work, and therefore, like most Americans, I've felt I deserve my Vanilla Late every Thursday morning. No mas! Unless I have a gift card!

#2, I always make my own lunches for work. It's just healthier and cheaper, and I've always done it, so technically I'm saving at least $7 a day not eating-out on my 1 hr break. And I will continue to do so.

#3, I don't get manicures/pedicures. This saves at least $45 a month! My nails look pretty crappy, but oh well.

#4, We haven't been eating out on the weekends as much, thanks to our new Healthy Eating plan, so that is saving a lot of extra cash too.

#5, Since I have a job that kinda requires a clean look, I color my own hair. 2 boxes from CVS for about $17 every 2 months or so. Again, not perfect, but I am not afraid of my hair critics.

#6, I've decided that if I feel like buying a new shirt, I will get one from 147 Million Orphans, or Sevenly, Hope for Orphans, or another organization that donates some of the money towards a cause. They will be more expensive than Target's shirts, but the money helps the kids/orphans in need!


There are a few more I'd like to list, but you get the point. These are just ideas I came up with after I got rid of my excuses. Check out this page on what the Bible says about giving. I found all of these verses very inspiring and they gave me that little extra push to dump my money-hoarding tendencies.

Option #1 The Hands and Feet Project!
http://www.handsandfeetproject.org/sponsorship

feel free to click on this link and read about this organization on your own, but here's a little detail:
 Each Orphan that they have, needs about $300 a month for food, medical expenses, etc. So, they give each child 10 Sponsors (you, and 9 of your friends), who will donate $30 a month each. Not a bad deal, right?! You can either help an orphan on your own, or you can grab some friends from work, from Bible Study, or even your neighbors! You also get linked up to their own facebook page so you can see daily/weekly reports of your sponsored child.
Here's our new little guy! Esaiie...

 

 

 

Option #2  147 Million Orphans!
 Need a new Outfit? No prob!

http://www.147millionorphans.com/

 

This organization came from a couple of pretty awesome moms who wanted to make a difference in the lives of some lost and lonely children. Matt and I bought Christmas gifts through this company this year. It was not only fun, but we felt so much better about giving our money to these guys, instead of some big n' rich Walmart CEO with a private helicopter.
"The 147 Million Orphans Foundation was created to impact the lives of children through the provision of food, water, and medicine. We invest directly in projects that help provide these basic needs to those who desperately need it, and most of our projects occur in Haiti, Honduras, and Uganda."

Option #3 Show Hope!
"Each orphan in the world has a name and a story, and each waiting child needs a family. For the church to really have an impact, we need first to hit our knees. From prayer springs action, born of love. We are inviting all those willing to join us in praying for these children and every orphan who is waiting for a family."
http://www.showhope.org/

This organization is set up to help not only the Orphans but adopting families as well.
Here is there Blog: http://blog.showhope.org/

the Show Hope web site has a store and a lot of other information on how you can help! There are also children that can be sponsored...
 ...or, for those prayer warriors out there, check out this page set up just for you!
http://www.showhope.org/Mobilize/Pray.aspx


Option #4 World Vision
Not just for the orphans, this organization helps suffering families in rural areas plant and grow and raise live stock.

I got Matt this child's sponsorship for Christmas a few years ago. It's been great receiving letters and pictures from this cutie over the years... even if the money doesn't directly help this specific kid, I know that it is helping the organization that is helping his village flourish and become a working village.

We take so many things for granted! I say we, but I know I sure do! I complain because I forgot to buy milk on my hour long grocery store trip... the people in Sneva's village would just love a goat or a cow so they could get some milk!

"My 3 bedroom home isn't big enough, we NEED to add on!"
I call b.s.

Nobody likes "laundry day"... I'm pretty sure this family doesn't even
know what laundry day is. This is just life.

We are SO spoiled in the US. We have so many resources, and we need to step outside of ourselves, and open our eyes to the needs that are all around us.

If you really feel like you don't have an extra 50 cents a day to help out financially, there are still many more ways to help these homeless, family-less children! Prayer is always extreemly helpful, volunteering at your local foster care facility, join one of those "run for a cause" marathons and raise money/support, spreading the word about these kids to people you know that may want another child in their home... there are many ways you can be a part of positive change in the world.
God tells us over and over to give, help, love and DO something about the less fortunate in our lives. I look at it this way...I'm on a computer. A computer that goes on-line. If you're reading this on a computer, you are not as poor as you think you are.

If not YOU, then WHO? If not NOW, then WHEN?
NO EXCUSES! :)




Every little bit helps.
How will you be part of the change?

 

 

 

 

 

 



*if you haven't already, feel free to read this related blog :)

Cookies AND Milk

We have a very strict rule in our house. The person with the sleeping puppy on their lap does not have to get up off the comfy warm couch away from the tantalizing TV, to get whatever object it is that might be the needed at the moment.

This rule started when we got our first child, Beans.

The rule continued when we got our second child, Daisy.

Now we have this cute lil' kitty, appropriately named Loki (mythical being of mischief in Norse mythology), that likes to purr all over us while we're trying to get into the most intense part of Inception....

We also have this horrible habit of eating dinner on the couch.... we eat desert there too.

 Don't judge. You know you've done it.

So when the food has settled, and the movie is in full motion, when your feet are propped up and the blanket is warm, when you decide it's time for desert, you'd better make sure that puppy is sleeping on your lap.

Sometimes we even play tug-a-war with the poor sleepy pets and laugh hysterically trying to stay on the couch. I lose a lot.

 I almost always have to go get the cookies.

I push pause, get up from my warm comfy spot and I run to the kitchen, flip on the light, grab the cookies, grab some napkins (because we all know I need napkins like I need Oxygen), turn the light off again, jump back onto the warm couch, grab the blanket, put my feet up, wiggle into a cushy position...

 Then Matt says, "Where's my milk?"

My response is usually something that sounds a lot like, "Aaahhhhhggggh!"

Marriage is not easy. It's not all milk and cookies. It's not all warm couches. Sometimes you have to get out of that nice comfy spot during the middle of an intense movie and do something you don't really want to do to make your spouse happy. (are you following my analogies here? or am I losing everyone?)

Marriage is pretty fun...usually. kinda. Well, mostly. I know, we've only been married for 6 years and 4 months so to some of you it's just jump change. It's great having a partner to stand beside you day after day, fighting battle after battle and being there when you need a shoulder after a long day. But once in a while, we get a little selfish. We get bitter about stupid little things (that are not so stupid and little at the moment, because you are being bitter and selfish about them), and we forget to remember what really matters in the relationship. Giving. Loving. Appreciating. Supporting. etc...

most favorite ecard of the week!

I think of it this way: I am married to my best friend. By choice.

Think about your best friend for a second. And pick someone other than your spouse! Do you think if you spent every minute, day after day, emotionally and physically attached to that friend, maybe once in a while you guys would disagree on some things? Think you'd get a little annoyed and want to be a little selfish occasionally? 
 Probably.
 I highly doubt you can find anyone that is such a soul mate that you find absolutely nothing wrong with them all the time. But you over look the small things, right? And you continue to do things the other person likes... to keep them happy, and in turn, they make you happy, and life is all butterflies and rainbows.

Philippians 2:1-4 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

                                                                 ouch.

I'm just kind of talking out loud here to remind myself that sometimes doing the little things out of just plain ol' Love, can matter a lot to the other person.

I need to get the milk without being asked more often.

And I usually get a thank-you-baby-kiss in return... so, it's a pretty cool deal.

Happy Valentine's week everyone!

 (FYI: because I'm a day late, I demand this is an all-week thing now).

And remember, it's the little things that matter the most sometimes.

...like this awesome little necklace that came with the movie I asked for!!
My husband is charmer for sure :)

Food Addict

Hi. My name is Sarah and I've been addicted to food since my poor mother was "starting to show."



(my counter last week. I felt guilty after eating junk
food for a few days in a row. cant you tell? haha)

I'm always hungry. Ask anyone who has ever lived or lives with me. I can eat a huge meal and within 2 hours, my face is planted in the fridge and I'm yelling something like, "Uuugh!! There's nothing good in here!"

This food addiction has never been an issue until a few years ago. I used to be able to eat whatever the heck I wanted and not gain a pound. Then I got married.

Why does that happen?! I've had to watch what I eat ever since I said "I do."

 (thanks a lot Matt!)

Since I absolutely hate working out, I would rather eat better during the day and not have to do so many lunges after work. I know, I know, it's better to eat healthy AND work out... but let's start with the menu before we go hard-core on the gym hours.
 I've always been really good at eating healthy lunches at work, bringing my own home-made salads, fruit bowls and what-nots... but it's the dinners that get us at our worst.

You get home from work and you're hungry, tired, hungry, grouchy, hungry... oh wait, that's me. So I get home and I start stuffing my face with whatever I can find while I make dinner. Or, we just run and get Mexican Food from around the corner. Not so healthy, hm?

I've been testing out a few recipes from the Paleo Diet. So far, I'm impressed! Very tasty and I'm learning that staying away from dairy and grain will be easier than I thought!

Here is my "Egg Plant and Zucchini Lasagna". You can get the recipe HERE!


There was a ton left over for lunches
or future dinners!

There are no noodles, no cheese and no beef! Yet, this thing was amazing!
I added a few things to spice it up a little... more chopped onions, a handful of chopped fresh basil leaves, lots of pepper, etc... This is a great dish to season to your taste buds. But remember, salt is bad! No salt! No butter!

I even cleared off the counter to help out a little. First I unplugged the Toaster and hid it in the pantry. (No wheat remember? Especially buttery toast!). Then I pulled the Blender out of the pantry and put it on the counter. More smoothies! Yum! I put it next to the crock pot that I'm hoping to use for more healthy dinners in the future.

This is one of my favorites. "Pumpkin Honey Muffins." you can find the recipe HERE!

Helpful Hint: Go to Trader Joe's. They carry everything gluten free and Paleo ok'd that you'll need for these recipe's!

first: make a mess

second: watch 'em burn!

Ta-Da!!

Delicious!

Oh! And I made some of my own "Trail Mix."
 In the Paleo Diet, you can't have salt, peanuts or m&m's... So I mixed Walnuts, Pecans, Almonds and Pine Nuts together in zip lock baggies, then sprinkled in a few dark choc. chocolate chips for a little yumminess. (They suggest you add dried fruit too, but I can't stand the stuff, so my Trail Mix will remain pretty plain.)

(Matt bought huge bags of the nuts at Costco so
we got more for our $)

So, what's on tonight menu?
I'm using the crock pot! Pork Loin, apples, onions, and honey, on top of mashed cauliflower!

 



 I'm usually gone about 10 hours a day or more, and my crock pot doesn't have a timer that can just turn on or off...so this morning I'm prepping all the food, then having my very-talented hubby turn the crock pot on before he heads in to work. I'll let ya know how it goes!

Now let's re-cap:

The Upside to eating healthy?
Other than the fact that your counter looks pretty funky, fun and colorful...

 ...There are probably too many reasons to list!! But I'll tell you what... I'm starting to really like the look of the inside of our fridge. I feel healthier just staring at it!

 

The downside to eating healthier?

 

It's Girl Scout Cookie Season!

 

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

 

this makes me want to cry!

 

Somehow we'll get through this crazy transition from snacking on chocolate bars and cookies at night, to nuts and apple slices.
 I'm not going to stick to a super strict diet because that just doesn't work for me. Everyone is different though, so that could work for you. My main goal is to find yummy, healthy, foods that give us a certain kind of good energy. Not the energy you get from caffeine or from a sugar buzz.

May the odds be ever in our favor!

true story bro!