That's pretty much how I feel right now. Yet oddly, at peace. And I know that comes from God, or I'd be pulling out my hair in a panic by now. Our lease is up at the end of April and our landlord is not letting us stay on until Eric receives his call. He wants to rent it to someone who will sign and stay on for a least a year. He has lost a lot of money with his properties vacant so I understand why he is doing it but I still do wish he would give us through the summer to move. We would hope by then Eric would receive his first call. He will be officially certified in May. We are searching for a month-to-month rental that is still near the train but that is proving difficult to find. The next option would be a 6 month lease somewhere but they typically charge $100 over what they would normally rent it for. Plus we will be paying for a storage unit. There is a church-related option that we hope to find out more about next week but I'm not holding my breath on it. We still have an entire month or so on our current lease. So fretting about it right now won't do any good. We cannot rush the call process. We are praying about it every day and praying for a solution to our living situation. God can and will provide for us. He promises us that! And he tells us not to worry about tomorrow! So why am I worrying about 2 months from now!? And that is why I have peace. Because I can't control anything and I know the One he can and does.
With March 1st right around the corner I want us both (Ellie excluded) to start eating better. With the internship now behind us, Eric has more time to exercise. I already do run 3x a week plus daily stretches, planks, squats, and ab work. But it take more than exercise to reach our goals. Our diets need to change too. If anyone tries to tell you that a gluten free diet is a weight loss fad they are dead wrong. There is so much bad stuff for you out there there is also gluten free! Now I can't chow down on McD's or other fast food crap but I can and do eat potato chips, chocolate, pop, brownies (made GF), cookies (made GF), and loads of other bad stuff. For me its the baby belly I would like to see go away. The bane of almost every woman's existence. Eric also would like to loose some weight around his middle.
So I've started researching and it makes my head spin. You won't get the results you want unless there is something you are willing to give up. Or if not give up, greatly restrict. Some of the diets out there are just a plain bad idea. Others are just impossible on our budget. I hate tracking numbers for carbs, protein, and calories. Maybe that's just my laziness. I'm also not going to get rid of or replace half the condiments and misc things in my pantry because they contain an ingredient on the "no" list. We already spend a load of money on grocery every month, I can't afford to spend even more to help us meet our goals. It has to be something realistic and doable for us. So I will continue to research and hope we can settle on something. *sigh*
Friday, February 26, 2016
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Running post
So this post is just about running. Why? Because I like to talk about running with other people who like to run. I like to talk about distance and pace, treadmill vs road, running races, gear, and goals. I didn't realize when I started all of this I would become so passionate about it. If I have to go several days without a run I feel lazy and sluggish.
I strained a muscle in my left foot on my last outside run and have been struggling with it the last 2 treadmill runs but I'm stubborn and won't rest unless I've really done some kind of damage to myself. As it is, I've not made it worse by continuing to run but the muscles around my shin have been more sore because I'm sure I'm not landing on my foot normally because of it.
I've also had to increase the incline on my treadmill runs because the outside runs have really been kicking my butt. Between the hills and the wind, its easy to get lazy on the controlled environment of the treadmill. So I've gone from 1 incline to varying it between 3.5 and 4. 4 is a little tough so I'm working it in for 5 mins at a time and then taking it back down. I'm sure that it is also contributing to the recent sore muscles as well.
Ellie has been doing fantastic with my dad as he watches her while I run. The first day or two she was a little hesitant that I left the room. Now its hard to even get her to acknowledge me when I'm done! She has a lot of fun playing with the toys and I know my dad is just thrilled to get to spend some time with her too. When the weather gets nice again, we won't go over there as much so I'm glad they are enjoying their time while they can.
My runs are getting faster! Not by a ton but I ran 3 miles last Saturday (outside) and ended with a time of 33 mins (approx) so roughly 11 min mile. My Turkey Trot time for 5k was 38.25. so I'm already 5 mins faster than my first race! Woot! That 3 miles though was tough. I really had to push for it and I did unfortunately have to take a 1/10 mile walk, I just couldn't breath! And at the end I felt like I was about to puke. Mid-day runs are a lot harder just because there is more food in my body and I'm naturally more tired. I tried to run that morning but it was about 17 deg. I gave up really quick. My nose was running, my eyes were tearing, my face was stinging, and my lungs were aching. By that afternoon it was 40 and sunny so I tried again and finished 3 miles.
Someday I may be inclined to train for a 10k. But right now, the 5k is still a challenge. Once I feel that its getting to easy I will start pushing either my speed or my distance. Still not sure which I would feel a greater sense of accomplishment by. I'm guessing distance. Nothing in me wants to run a half marathon. The 10k is a possibility though, we shall see. My next race is April 24th in my downtown area here.
On my wishlist is a Garmin running watch. I'm not a huge fan of the fitbit as I don't want or need a round the clock activity tracker. I'd just like to run without my phone attached to my upper arm and still have an accurate record of time and distance and be able to set it for interval training. But they are expensive and we are desperately trying to save money again so we can get a house. It is so hard when all I want to do is just buy stuff :) I keep telling myself its something I want not something I need. And when all is said and done, I want a house more than a running watch!
I just hope when we move there is still some good running trails and a good running store in the area and races to enter in. Hoping to know something soon on that front but all in God's timing.
I strained a muscle in my left foot on my last outside run and have been struggling with it the last 2 treadmill runs but I'm stubborn and won't rest unless I've really done some kind of damage to myself. As it is, I've not made it worse by continuing to run but the muscles around my shin have been more sore because I'm sure I'm not landing on my foot normally because of it.
I've also had to increase the incline on my treadmill runs because the outside runs have really been kicking my butt. Between the hills and the wind, its easy to get lazy on the controlled environment of the treadmill. So I've gone from 1 incline to varying it between 3.5 and 4. 4 is a little tough so I'm working it in for 5 mins at a time and then taking it back down. I'm sure that it is also contributing to the recent sore muscles as well.
Ellie has been doing fantastic with my dad as he watches her while I run. The first day or two she was a little hesitant that I left the room. Now its hard to even get her to acknowledge me when I'm done! She has a lot of fun playing with the toys and I know my dad is just thrilled to get to spend some time with her too. When the weather gets nice again, we won't go over there as much so I'm glad they are enjoying their time while they can.
My runs are getting faster! Not by a ton but I ran 3 miles last Saturday (outside) and ended with a time of 33 mins (approx) so roughly 11 min mile. My Turkey Trot time for 5k was 38.25. so I'm already 5 mins faster than my first race! Woot! That 3 miles though was tough. I really had to push for it and I did unfortunately have to take a 1/10 mile walk, I just couldn't breath! And at the end I felt like I was about to puke. Mid-day runs are a lot harder just because there is more food in my body and I'm naturally more tired. I tried to run that morning but it was about 17 deg. I gave up really quick. My nose was running, my eyes were tearing, my face was stinging, and my lungs were aching. By that afternoon it was 40 and sunny so I tried again and finished 3 miles.
Someday I may be inclined to train for a 10k. But right now, the 5k is still a challenge. Once I feel that its getting to easy I will start pushing either my speed or my distance. Still not sure which I would feel a greater sense of accomplishment by. I'm guessing distance. Nothing in me wants to run a half marathon. The 10k is a possibility though, we shall see. My next race is April 24th in my downtown area here.
On my wishlist is a Garmin running watch. I'm not a huge fan of the fitbit as I don't want or need a round the clock activity tracker. I'd just like to run without my phone attached to my upper arm and still have an accurate record of time and distance and be able to set it for interval training. But they are expensive and we are desperately trying to save money again so we can get a house. It is so hard when all I want to do is just buy stuff :) I keep telling myself its something I want not something I need. And when all is said and done, I want a house more than a running watch!
I just hope when we move there is still some good running trails and a good running store in the area and races to enter in. Hoping to know something soon on that front but all in God's timing.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
2 years; 6 months
Yesterday my miracle of a baby girl turned 2! Never in my life would I have dreamed that having my family would be so darn difficult. But we have a big God that says anything is possible. And by His grace, we have been given the gift of our daughters.
We didn't plan a big party for Ellie this year. A few months ago, our mommy group had a group party for all the kiddos with winter birthdays and we all went to the local children's museum and had snacks and cupcakes. We had planned to do cake and singing at a small family gathering that had been previously planned with my side but that happened to be the weekend Ellie got the stomach flu, so that didn't happen. Two days before Ellie's birthday Eric had to take a trip to South Dakota for work. South Dakota + winter= blizzard. He got stuck there for an entire extra day and thus missed seeing Ellie on her birthday. We did Skype that morning but we missed him a lot over those three days. So Ellie's birthday has been a bit extended. We saw my dad on her birthday while I ran the treadmill, my mom and brother came over that night to do presents and sing and eat cupcakes. Today, with Eric home, we did presents, singing, and cupcakes again. Eric's parents also had some delays coming up and will now come tomorrow to do the whole routine again. So Ellie pretty much gets to feel special all week. Just how it should be :)
She had a 2 year check up today and only needed one shot, yay! She might be a picky eater but she is in the 42nd percentile for weight and now the 38th percentile for height. And she is now officially taller than her friend the storm trooper (whom she still gives hugs to before nap and bed times). She is getting so big so fast, my little baby is disappearing. She loves to talk and sing, build legos, color, plays with her baby dolls and play food, she adores puppies more than any other animal and spotting school buses on the road. She is a good little sleeper still and naps and goes to bed at pretty predictable times. She squeals with delight when she sees her friends and family and runs around in circles with excitement. She has gone on the potty a couple of times but does not seem quite ready to really start potty training so I'm tying not to push it. She continues to be a picky eater rejecting what is not familiar or has a different texture. Trying to be patient with this but it is hard. She does love peanut butter, pancakes, bacon, mac and cheese, alfredo noodles, peas, cheerios, any fruit, chicken nuggets, and french fries.
This Sunday (7th) will be 6 months since Alexandra went to be with Jesus. We don't talk with Ellie about her but she is never far from our thoughts. I still talk about her when the opportunity presents itself but we are doing ok. Still purging baby stuff and what left is not selling very well. Some will end up being given away, hopefully to a new mom in need. I'm still running. We are still anticipating an adoption in the next couple of years. We are healing. But there will always be a Lexie shaped hole in our family pictures.
So here are some of the highlights of Ellie's 2nd birthday:
We didn't plan a big party for Ellie this year. A few months ago, our mommy group had a group party for all the kiddos with winter birthdays and we all went to the local children's museum and had snacks and cupcakes. We had planned to do cake and singing at a small family gathering that had been previously planned with my side but that happened to be the weekend Ellie got the stomach flu, so that didn't happen. Two days before Ellie's birthday Eric had to take a trip to South Dakota for work. South Dakota + winter= blizzard. He got stuck there for an entire extra day and thus missed seeing Ellie on her birthday. We did Skype that morning but we missed him a lot over those three days. So Ellie's birthday has been a bit extended. We saw my dad on her birthday while I ran the treadmill, my mom and brother came over that night to do presents and sing and eat cupcakes. Today, with Eric home, we did presents, singing, and cupcakes again. Eric's parents also had some delays coming up and will now come tomorrow to do the whole routine again. So Ellie pretty much gets to feel special all week. Just how it should be :)
She had a 2 year check up today and only needed one shot, yay! She might be a picky eater but she is in the 42nd percentile for weight and now the 38th percentile for height. And she is now officially taller than her friend the storm trooper (whom she still gives hugs to before nap and bed times). She is getting so big so fast, my little baby is disappearing. She loves to talk and sing, build legos, color, plays with her baby dolls and play food, she adores puppies more than any other animal and spotting school buses on the road. She is a good little sleeper still and naps and goes to bed at pretty predictable times. She squeals with delight when she sees her friends and family and runs around in circles with excitement. She has gone on the potty a couple of times but does not seem quite ready to really start potty training so I'm tying not to push it. She continues to be a picky eater rejecting what is not familiar or has a different texture. Trying to be patient with this but it is hard. She does love peanut butter, pancakes, bacon, mac and cheese, alfredo noodles, peas, cheerios, any fruit, chicken nuggets, and french fries.
This Sunday (7th) will be 6 months since Alexandra went to be with Jesus. We don't talk with Ellie about her but she is never far from our thoughts. I still talk about her when the opportunity presents itself but we are doing ok. Still purging baby stuff and what left is not selling very well. Some will end up being given away, hopefully to a new mom in need. I'm still running. We are still anticipating an adoption in the next couple of years. We are healing. But there will always be a Lexie shaped hole in our family pictures.
So here are some of the highlights of Ellie's 2nd birthday:
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| I'm THIS many |
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| Balloons from grandma and grandpa |
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| birthday lunch, mac and cheese and chicken nuggets |
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| Very pink cupcakes! |
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| Ready for opening day! |
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| Traditional picture with the birthday hat |
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| Yum! |
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| Glad to have daddy home again |
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