We love to kickoff our fall with a trip to Linvilla Orchards. We love walking through their shops, playing in their playground, and eating their delicious food. This year we also figured we'd give fishing a try since Glenn got fishing poles for Father's Day. Glenn and the kids even caught one, which was exciting. We had a great time.
This is way out of order, but that's just how it works sometimes.
For Christmas last year, I was surprised with tickets to Santa Barbara, where I would be meeting my sisters, mom and dad for a girl's trip (my dad always comes on our girl's trip, he can't stand missing out, and frankly, I would miss him if he wasn't there). I was so excited to go, and it's what inspired the decision to FINALLY lose weight. I knew we'd be shopping and I wanted to be excited about it.
After a very trying semester, I was so excited to go. But a week before the trip came, Jayda got really sick. She got a crazy stomach ache that had her writhing in pain and screaming. After a few days of it, we ended up in the hospital where we spent the weekend stressing about our little girl. After all sorts of tests, there was no way to figure out what was wrong. They sent us home, but the day before I was supposed to go, her pain was back. I didn't feel like I could leave her with Glenn like that. I decided not to go and was so devastated.
Then at midnight, about four hours before my flight, Glenn convinced me to pack my bags, and I was on my way. I was so glad I went too because Jayda felt a lot better, and I would have been even more upset if I hadn't gone.
We had a lot of fun, did a lot of shopping, eating, beach walking and movie watching. I laugh harder with these people then I do with anyone else and it was a seriously needed stress relief after a tough few months.
In January of this year I joined Weight Watchers with a resolution to lose twenty pounds. After about six months of dieting and going to classes, I accomplished my goal, just in time to meet my family in Santa Barbara to surprise them. It felt great!
Later that summer, my friend Aubrey suggested a six week weight training program that included six days a week of weight training, combined with cardio. I was really excited for the new challenge and went for it. I'm really proud to say that I only missed half a workout during the entire thing, and that was because of a day to the beach. It was a lot of fun watching myself get stronger and seeing what my body was capable of. I also got a rockstar workout buddy out of the deal. We're now doing another program which includes a diet plan and supplements, but we'll save that for another post.
School came so fast this year and I can't believe both of my kids are attending some type of school. Jayda is in first grade! Her teacher's name is Ms. Cmeil and she's been wonderful. She really likes going to school and has made good friends.
Initially I didn't plan to put Sky in preschool. But after talking to his speech therapist, I decided to send him twice a week. He goes to the Houston preschool, the same one Jayda did, and really likes it. He's got a best friend who he's had a few playdates with, and had been learning a lot. He can write his name and all of his numbers. I love watching my kids learn!
We were able to make it to Ocean City a few times over the summer. I just don't know that there's anything better then sitting at the beach, seriously, does it ever get old? The kids have such a great time too. Glenn spent the entire afternoon digging a giant hole which kept the kids entertained for hours. We had a great time.
So for the last few years, I've looked like this.
Then I came home from the doctor looking like this.
And now I look like this (usually with makeup though).
It's been really nice.
I always think a big sign of kids getting older is when they've got those big permanent teeth growing in. Jayda is finally getting to that point. Since these pictures she's lost four more teeth on the top and is looking older every day. It's so weird, but fun. She's been enjoying visits from the Tooth Fairy.
