Christmas Eve

Growing up, Christmas has always been busy, busy, busy. It all started on Christmas Eve when we would get out of school, go to church, then go to my uncle's house. The year he passed away, Seth & Stacey got married & started a new tradition of getting their two families together for a Christmas Eve dinner. This was our fifth year doing this, & it's become another staple of the holiday season.

This year, I worked half a day, went out in the monsoon to finish up my shopping, put together a Little Tike's police car for my favorite boys, went to our Christmas Eve service, spent way too long trying to pick something up from Kmart, & ended the night at Seth & Stacey's with my family.

The start of Christmas was kicked off pretty well. :)

Christmas Love

Within the past few years, I learned how much I absolutely love buying things for other people. A couple of Christmases ago, I got everyone a few outfits that I bought online {don't ever do that - nothing fit, haha}, but when it all came in, I was all alksldkfajweoifh!!!!!!!! So fun. 

Last year, I had just started a nannying job a month earlier that paid me $5 an hour. So not only was I still getting into the groove of having some money again, but I was getting into the groove of having juuust enough money to pay my car payment & have a little extra. Anyway, I think I probably got movie gift cards for everyone last year. So lame. 

So this year!!! I've been working the BEST job for six months, I'm actually making money, & I've been crazy excited to do my Christmas shopping! Since I work full-time like the rest of the world, I could only go shopping today...like the rest of the world. So many people. 

& now, four hundred & thirty-two dollars later, I'm almost done with my great big family. & it makes me all kinds of happy. But then, I just want to go give everything right away. I'm seriously the most impatient person I know. Seriously. So annoying. 

But I'll try to hold off. I still have a little bit more shopping to do, but I'm almost done & it isn't even Christmas Eve yet {new record!}. Spending a chunk of change like that would normally make me kind of nauseous, haha, but I'm feeling super thankful that this year, I can spend that on my family. They do so much for me & I love that I can splurge a little on them. So thankful. 

Our family of five has quickly become a family of eleven, & I'm so amazed at all the Lord has done in our lives. So, so, so blessed. 

Cookin' Up Christmas

I just want to take a minute to brag on our kids real quick!

On November 19th, I walked into church & asked our four middle & high schoolers if they'd be willing to take part in a Christmas play. We have one super sweet girl who is a rockstar & had asked about a play, but since our kids department consists of only her a three others (when they can make it), I went to our older kids for help. 

All four of them were on board & I let them choose which musical they wanted to do from past musicals we did at our old church. The only open Sunday in December was the 7th (3 weeks away!), but everyone said they'd work hard & have it ready. 

The next Sunday (2 weeks away!) I passed out speaking parts. Everyone only had maybe 8 lines in the whole play, but those lines were loooong. Some of them were solid paragraphs! 

So they left with their scripts & said they'd practice, practice, practice. We were suppose to get together Wednesday night, but ended up having to cancel. So, the next Sunday (1 week away!). I came in and asked everyone if they had practiced. They all said "no". While my heart sank a little bit, I told them I really did appreciate their honesty. Once I realized that these kids memorizing all of those long lines in a week was just unrealistic, I told them to scratch that & I'd have new lines for them on Wednesday. 

I went home & redid the whole play. I took out lines, added lines, shortened lines - praying they'd be able to pull this off!

On Wednesday (4 days away!), I handed out new scripts. We sat there and went through each scene & worked on memorizing their parts. We went through the songs, too, but they had those nailed from the first time we did the play a few years ago. 

On Saturday (1 day away!), we had final rehearsal. Usually, we have final rehearsal where we'll be doing the play. That way, everyone can see how it will be set up, know where they will stand, & run through it exactly like it will be the next day. Since we don't actually have a church building of our own yet, we had to do final rehearsal at my house. I set up the living room as close to the real thing as I could, but it's still much different when you get in the actual place. Then, add mics & chords too the mix - so much stuff! 

Sunday came & those kids rocked it. They sang their songs, they said their parts, & they were confident about it all. Our three babies put on little aprons & danced around during a couple of the songs, too. I was blown away at how hard everyone really did work. In just three short weeks - only five practices - they learned their lines & put on a Christmas musical. 

Only five kids (& three babies), but they were such a blessing. 

Cast

Paula Queen : Stacey

Betty Rocker : Carman

Emerald Lasagna : Sebastian

Uncle Earl Humdinger : Pete

Rachael Day : Kaitlyn

Bobby Grey : Bruce Jr.

Martha Steward : Jaelin

Rosalie Katharina

Last night, at 8:06, my very first niece was born. Although my mom & I didn't get to be in the room after all, we stood on the other side of the wall & waited to hear that perfect, newborn cry.

We're blessed, y'all. She's absolutely perfect. She's chunky, chunky, chunky & has rolls on rolls. 8 pounds 9.5 ounces & 20.5 inches long - she's just the best little miracle.

Ryder wasn't sure what to do about what was going on. He didn't understand why everyone was telling him this baby was Baby Rosie when he knows Baby Rosie is in mommy's tummy. Eventually, he caught on & kept pointing at her & saying her name. When it was time to leave, he gave her a big kiss. He's going to be the best big brother this little girl could have!

In a little bit, I'll be going back up to see my favorite girl. There's just something about being an aunt. Something absolutely fantastic. There's a new kind of love that comes with holding onto these precious kids. I'm so, so, so thankful for Ryder, Carson, & Rosie, & I'm so, so, so thankful I get to be their Auntie Hannah.

 Ever since the day we found out Lydia was pregnant, my mom has been talking to Rosie. Every time they'd leave, she'd say bye to Jesse, Lydia, & Ryder, then she'd rub Lydia's belly & say, "Bye, bye, Rosie! Grandma loves you!". When my mom walked over to meet Rosie for the first time, she started talking to her & Rosie stopped crying completley. She knows her Grandma's voice. <3

Ryder's checking things out.

Lovebug. <3

#sheddingsixtyeight // Third Month

It's that time again, fellas!

This month started with my week of death which just wasn't a good way to start. Then the next week I was sick which brought no motivation, either. Although, really, you can't wait for motivation to get things done - sometimes, you've just gotta do it. 

Anyway, I've figured out that I really really hate running. Like, it's not that relaxing, time to yourself, think about everything & nothing glorious thing for me. It's like, please pleeeaaaaase make it to the next light pole without dying. & it hurts my ankles & I can't take deep breaths & GAH! Basically, it's just the absolute worst. I know I'd probably like it more if I were in shape, but running ain't gonna be the way I get in shape. 

WALKING, though! That's my jam! I've never walked around my neighborhood as much as I have these past few weeks! 

I've started doing the thirty-minute circuit at the gym which covers arms, legs, & abs. That's helped me realize why people are always complaining about leg day & made me feel like spaghetti. Getting stronger though, right? Hopefully! 

I've also realized that if I don't work out in the morning, it's incredibly difficult for me to have a successful day. I've been getting up early, either going to the gym or on a run/walk around the neighborhood, then going to work. That way, knowing I've already exercised, it's harder for me to eat something unhealthy because I feel like everything I'd done was a waste. Then, when I get home with the kids, I either try to take them for a walk or go for a walk once they're napping (if my parents are home, don't worry).

& speaking of food, MY FITNESS PAL! It's so helpful & I've loved having it to keep me accountable. Since starting to use it, I've realized that I probably eat close to 3,000 calories on an average day. I'm suppose to eat 1,500. THAT'S RIDICULOUS! I haven't stayed under my calorie goal every day, but it's definitely helped me make better food choices & it's helped me stay under most of the time. & as a PSA, if a muffin says it's 230 calories, make sure you check the serving size before you eat it. Because some morons are sneaky and say 230 calories per serving size - 3 servings per MUFFIN (like, one muffin), & by ten o'clock in the morning, I've already eaten 690 calories. Oh, goodness. I'm learning new things. Haha

ALSO! (It's been an enlightening month), I got a Fitbit! Seth, Stacey, Sebastian & I each have one & it's awesome! It keeps track of how many steps you've taken, calories you've burned, miles you've walked, etc. You can challenge your friends which is super motivational, too. The four of us are currently in a "Workweek Hustle" where we see who can get the most steps in the week. I'm losing, but I blame the Fitbit. You wear it around your wrist, & one morning I went walking around the neighborhood & got 3,000 steps. That night, Sebastian & I went walking around the neighborhood again & I pushed Ryder & Carson in the stroller & it only calculated 700 steps. It cheated me on steps while I pushed the stroller through the aquarium yesterday, too, so... I'm kind of out of luck with this challenge. Haha

Shout out to Sebastian, though, because he is BEASTING this thing! He stays under his calorie goal every day, & if he hasn't hit his 10,000 steps at night, he walks until he has. I'm so proud of him & encouraged by him! 

& of course, I'm still drinking only water. Although, I did make an exception for a cup of coffee every day if I needed it. Because some days, you really just need it. Other than that, just good ole' water. 

After saying all of that, I didn't gain or lose any weight this month, I'm still 222. But that's okay! I've been feeling so much more energetic lately, & that's a huge win for me!! 

Me & my shnazzy fitbit after one of the death runs. ;)

This month! 

Goals:

1) More water. I've done good drinking water, but I think I need to drink more of it. Sometimes, I think drinking multiple glasses of sweet tea would be more beneficial than two glasses of water a day. I really need to up that water intake!

2) Track food. It's kind of a pain sometimes, but I need to keep doing it. It's helping! 

3) 10,000 steps. The first couple of days I wore my Fitbit, I walked less than 4,000 steps a day, & that was my average. 4,000 steps + 3,000 calories + never exercising = pathetic old me. Now, I'm aiming to stay at my 1,500 calories, go to the gym, & walk 10,000 steps. 

4) WALK 20 miles. Not run, ha! & that doesn't include my day-to-day walking that the fitbit catches. I'm talking about purposefully walking 20 extra miles.

Alright! That's what I'm going to go with! Hopefully I'll have some better results after this month, but I feel like I really learned a lot this past month.

Here we go! 

Walkin'

Seth, Stacey, Sebastian, & I all got Fitbits, & we're all in a race to get our 10,000 steps in per day. Seth & Stacey have had theirs for a few weeks while Sebastian & I just got ours yesterday, so they're kind of way ahead of the game, but it's still fun to have others to challenge you.

Tonight, we went for a walk with the boys to take advantage of this gorgeous weather & get closer to our goal. I brought my camera just incase anything cute happened, and booyyy, I'm glad I did!

We were walking, & Carson just stuck out his finger & said "Uh-uh Bash!" (Uncle Bash, obviously.). They went for a long time holding hands until Ryder got jealous & wanted to hold Uncle Bash's hand, too. Then, they wanted to hold each other's hand. It was just the cutest! 

There's a neighbor who is selling american bulldog puppies. Stacey was ready to take one home, & Ryder was, too. One of the two they brought out was the fattest little snuggler around. Adorable.

Cutest guys in town, right there. :)