Winter Days…never go away…to uh bring on the summer nights

We have been crazy busy. The days seem to all mush together into a big bunch of day mushiness. 

We started this year off with a bang. We decided to have this as our family motto for 2014. I think the key to success in life is picking up and trying again. 

Maria and I had a girls night out to party and have fun before she left me forever and moved to Wales (no not the Wales in the UK but the Wales in Utah) We dressed up pretty together and had a heck of a time, stuffing our mouths with delicious pasta and fresh baked bread. 

Then Mina had a bad day. She got Croup and the flu on the same day. they admitted her to keep an eye on her hydration. First she was sad and just wanted to cuddle. 

Then they hydration helped her perk up a bit. 

Then she just got plain board so the sweet nurses hooked up her IV pole to a wagon so she could go on a walk around the hospital. EVERY single person in the hospice unit wanted to talk to her.

Once Mina got home she wanted to be pampered. She decided to put some of my mascara off. 

Then she came with mom to get her nails done by Tiff.

We decided to explore the toy store. I found a pet unicorn.

Mina found a doll that she was sure was Josie. We explained to her that not every person of color was a doll. 

Bo had a leg injury and just had to cuddle on the couch. 

We all went out for a Fzhookie. It was delicious. 

Mina decided she wanted to be swaddled. No Joke she sat there for half hour. 

Bo is a demon dog when it comes to playing fetch. He will literally sat there for quite some time waiting for Wes to throw the toy. Little did he realize Wes was dead asleep and had no idea the toy was there. Side effects of working a grave.

Wes and I got a free trip to Park City. We got to go to the olympic qualifiers for the Luge. It was pretty rad. I couldn't believe how fast they went. 

Evan decided to channel his inner Santa with his outfit from Nana

Mina found a new love for snow…and the color pink. She went sledding for her first time, threw a snowball, and tried several hats on. 

Now we have to go through some more pics that are out of order.

Mina has a new buddy named Max. She loves to hang out with them. They look like twinners

Mina tends to wear him out. 

The only thing that wears Mina out is car rides. She decided to pull her hat over her face so that she didn't have to deal with life.

One day Mina decided to be incredibly naughty and pour a can of formula and a thing of baby powder all over the dog, the kitchen, and the dining room. I had to go to a happy place. 

Mina channeled her inner Cider Wine-O. She enjoyed it very much. 

We decided to take Mina bowling. I hate to admit this but she beat us. BAD. She is somehow really amazing at bowling. I have no idea where it came from.

Wes taught her the way of cosmic bowling.

She then got distracted by the slinky she won earlier.

Evan got bored and fell asleep. 

Mina played an angel in the nativity this year. She was just stoked about the hat.

My mom and aunt got all the cousins matching pajamas!!

Mina loved playing with her aunts and uncles all day. 

Papa and Nana Heidi bought her a BIG girl bed. She loves it. 

For Mina's birthday we took her on a ferris wheel. She thought it was pretty amazing.

Well that is all for this post. Love y'all!!

Help me out!!

https://fundly.com/birthmom-retreat?noguide=1

BEFORE/AFTER…Lipo

Remember how I have been fat for the past 5 years? I decided to do something about it.  Here is what I looked like a month or two before I started all this madness.

Don't mind the skinny hottie next to me. 

First: I decided to start watching what I eat. not dieting. Just eating real healthy foods. I followed my good friend Desha's advice. Followed THIS BLOG and THIS BLOG, I found a lot of recipes on HERE and started working out over HERE. I lost 20 pounds. HOLLA!!!

So I then decided to get Lipo. My whole life…as many of you have heard before…I have had a gut. Doesn't matter that I hadn't had kids, I always had a pooch. Some say it was a cop out. For me it was a boost I desperately needed to feel hope that I could look and feel beautiful. I understand all the statements of "you are already beautiful", I appreciate them. But I didn't feel it. I walked through the store much less than confident with my head down. I always pulled my shirts any which way to make sure it was hiding the pooch. I bought countless pieces of shape wear. 

So back to Lipo….I got my Lipo at THIS FACILITY. I had gone to consultations before. All quoted me WAY more than I could ever afford. Belladante quoted me an attainable amount. They were friendly, honest, answered my questions, and made me feel comfortable. I set an appt and I was stoked. 

December 15-17 I didn't sleep because I was scared/excited/anxious/etc. December 18th my husband dropped me off with a kiss and I walked in. It was fairly painless and relatively quick. They drug ya up, numb ya up, suck out the fat, and put some bandaids and foam on your belly, cover it in a compression garment, and send ya on your way. 

It is a little sensitive but not intolerable pain. The first night was mostly just uncomfortable to sleep. 

2 weeks later (December 30) They took my bandage off. I could not believe the difference. They are going to give me the bare belly before and after after 1 month. It was unbelievable. I can't explain it but something just changed. I was proud of being me again. I found confidence. I found hope that with more eating right and exercise I could be a downright sexy beast. 

Now next week I start the VelaShape which will help bring the swelling down more. They told me at 3-5 months you will see the full results. If anyone wants to see the awesome picture of the 5 pounds of fat they sucked out of me…let me know…its rad, but I didn't wanna freak anyone out. 

Without further ado….the before (day of surgery: Dec 18) and the after (yesterday: Jan 3)
HINT: Click on the picture to enlarge. 

And for any of you peeps in UT thinking of getting it done (or any procedure for that matter) if you go to Belladante and mention my name…you will get 10% off. 

Disclaimer: I was not compensated of this post….i just really like these dudes and asked how I could help promote them. Also side effects may include extreme confidence, feeling sexy, and your husband struggling to keep his hands off of your hot self. 

Chivalry is Dead….for realsies

This is going to be short…but i needed to share it somewhere.

So, Wes and I walk into Jiffy Lube with our two kids. I am carrying Evan in his seat and he is holding Mina. There is also an older lady (i'd guess mid sixties) in there along with quite a few other people. The rest were sitting. There were 3 younger guys (two in their twenties, 1 in his teens), all playing on electronic devices, the rest were also mothers with children and older seniors. As we are standing there…not one, not a single one offered their seat to either myself or the older lady who were standing.

Now, I understand maybe one of these people had a disability and couldn't offer the seat…chances are they were fine. They were lazy, inconsiderate, and just didn't care. Of course I was going to live standing that whole fifteen minutes, but it is the principle of the matter. I am a woman holding a baby, she is a senior citizen…you made eye contact with all three of us standing people. Do the right thing. Especially that kid who was no more than 15 playing on his psp. Sit on the floor for goodness sakes!!

This happens quite often. I will walk into a store, older men always hold the door for me, younger ones…almost never. 

I don't care if I am not your wife. 

I don't care if that lady is not your grandmother. 

You get off your lazy butt and offer up your seat. 

This has made me realize that as a mother I am going to POUND into Evan's head what it means to be considerate. I will teach him to open the car door for any girl, even if he is not dating them. I will teach him to offer his seat no matter what to those standing who could use the chair. I will teach him that he better always hold the door. 

I still am in disbelief. Have been all day. 

Mothers, please…please teach your boys to be MEN. Chivalrous men. 

Mostly out of selfishness because that baby carrier is really heavy. 

I am thankful my husband will always carry both Mina and Evan to and from the car for me. He always  leaves me the lighter load. For that I am eternally grateful (yep i just pulled a toy story line on ya)

Rant over. Have a good weekend.