1st Day at the Y

So I joined the YMCA this week. And today was my first time working out. I joined mostly for the classes that they offer. I struggle with self motivation, and I classes help me get over that hump and help me push myself harder than I would by myself. But anyway, since it's been years since I've actually worked out I started with the "starter fitness" class. One word- EMBARASSING! Haha! The pamphlet said the class was for older people, pregnant women, or people who just haven't worked out in a long time. Let's just say the average age of the class was at least 65....the closest person to my age was the teacher, and she was in her mid forties...worst part? It was actually a hard workout for me! Not that I couldn't do everything, but I was actually sore, winded and tired halfway through. Haha! Oh well. I know it was embarrassing for me today. But I'm not going to let that stop me. And I'll go to that same class on Thursday. I've let myself go even farther than I thought, and it's just going to have to be embarrassing for a little while. Oh well. Atleast I'm doing something about it now. As for now, I'll just look to tomorrow- and a zumba class...yikes! That should be an interesting experience! Haha! :) here's to being winded and sore!!!

Here We Go!

So this is a really hard post for me to write...but I think I'm at the point where I need this, and I just need to write it down and be 100% honest with myself. I have a weight problem. Period. I have always thought of myself as bigger, and most of my life I have been bigger than most of my friends. In high school I peaked at about 165, which at the time I thought was HUGE, but looking back I wish I would have realized what I really did look like. My freshman year of college I got up to 175 lbs. And then back down to 160 before the summer. Then that Summer, of 2006, I gained about 20 pounds, and by Christmas was 180. I stayed there for a while, and in 2009 when I got married I was at 185. After I got married I packed on the pounds, and by the time I got pregnant in December of 2010 I was 224. I was so lucky to not really gain any weight with my pregnancy, and I was only 226 when I left the hospital. I thank God for that blessing everyday. I started weightwatchers in February of 2012, and did really well, losing 20 lbs in just over 2 months, but got busy and discouraged and stopped in April. This morning I weighed in at 217. I've been on weightwatchers now for about 7 weeks, but haven't really been following it, and it's coming down to the wire. My goal weight is 135 lbs. That's 80 pounds. I haven't been that small since middle school. Wow. That's a daunting and scary number, and I think it's been what's keeping me from really trying. I just can't wrap my head around that much weight. The other problem is that i am sooooo baby hungry right now. I know that's crazy since i have a 14 month old, but i just want another little one so bad!!! Gabe and I have been talking about it a lot, and he has been amazingly supportive of me, and we've decided to start it out smaller. My goal right now is to get to 180. And hen when i get here, then talk about having another baby. I know how important it is, not only for mg own health, but especially for the example that i want to set for my kids. I don't want my kids to grow up with the same problems with their bodies that i did, or with the same image of food. So 35 pounds os the beginning goal. And we've even set a goal of 3 lbs lost by October 31. Trying to take it in smaller, more maneagable chunks. I know this is rambling and unorganized, I just needed to get it on "paper" and become accountable to more than just myself. So I'm going to try and be accountable to my blog, as well as my weightwatchers site, and hopefully get this weight off. I thought it would be scary to actually admit this to people, but it's actually refreshing, and feels like a step in a new and clean direction. In addition- I know that eating is so important to a healthy lifestyle, but I truly believe that physical activity is just as important, so I'm also setting g a goal to exercise at least 5 times a week. I'll probably just start out walking, because I literally cannot run for more than 5 yeards without almost passing out, and I plan to sign up for my first 5k early next year. Wish me luck!!!! And feel free to leave advice and tips on how you stay healthy, and even favorite healthy recipes!

Updates on Life

So, one of my goals this summer is to keep our blog updated more regularly (of course if I post twice this whole summer that would technically be more regular than normal!). But hopefully about once a week. Things are going really well for us right now. We thought that we were going to be in Mesa, AZ for an internship, but things didn't pan out in time for us to make the move. We were disappointed at first, but we are excited to be here in Lexington this summer. Cora is growing up so fast we can't believe it. She's crawling all over the place, pulling up and couch cruising and chattering ALL the time. She has two teeth now, and those little buggers are sharp! she's constantly gnawing on everything she can fit in her mouth!
Gabe is an intern at a great mining consulting company in town, and really enjoys it. We are really blessed to have a job that he likes and that is so flexible with his schedule so that he has time to do his schoolwork and be home with us as well. I am starting at UK this summer and am really excited to get back into school. I only have about 40 credits left until I graduate, so I'm looking forward to putting a dent in it since I'll only be able to take one or two classes as semester in the fall and spring.
Not too much else to report right now...but here are some recent pictures of Cora, just because we love her so much and think she's the cutest! :)

Musings of a New Parent

As the mother of one 8 month old daughter, I am in no way an expert on parenting, motherhood or child-rearing. But as I was rocking Cora to sleep today and thinking about what life was like before we had her I was amused by how much is so different than I thought it would be and how drastically our lives have changed in the last 8 months. Here are just some of the things that I’ve observed about being a parent:

1. People who don’t have kids and say they are tired have no idea what they are talking about.

2. Trying to lay a sleeping baby in a crib is a time consuming and temperamental process that requires a careful hand so that body heat is not lost too quickly, therefore waking the sleeping baby and starting the process of getting them to sleep all over again.

3. I can tell how dirty my floors are by merely looking at the knees of Cora’s pants.

4. When we actually get a chance to go on a date and get a little time away from Cora, the whole time is spent talking or worrying about Cora.

5. When teaching a baby to crawl or walk you sound like you’re talking to a dog. (Come on Cora! Come on! Come to mommy!)

6. In the time it takes for labor to be over, everything you have to talk about with people that do not have kids disappears. Mostly because all you ever want to talk about again is your kids and how wonderful they are, and let’s be honest, even people that do have kids can only take so much of that.

7. Everyday chores, such as cleaning the kitchen floors become overwhelming tasks until they get on a good nap schedule. Even then, chances are they’ll wake up crying while you’re in the middle of mopping.

It’s exhausting, emotionally and physically draining and the most time consuming thing I’ve ever experienced. But at the same time it is so rewarding and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life.

New Home!

Since Gabe and I got married last year, we've had the wonderful blessing to be able to live rent-free with his grandmother. It was so nice to be able to save money, and adjust to married life without all the pressures of bills and such. But, there comes a time when a couple just needs to be alone. :) I am so excited that last week, during spring break, we had the opportunity to move into our first little apartment! It's not much- it's just what we need, but it's wonderful!!!!!!! It is so nice to finally feel like a married couple! I didn't realize how different things would be, but I love it! I don't have any pictures yet, but they'll be coming soon (at my rate it'll be about 3 months...haha) But I am just so relieved, and so happy. Plus, now I get to cook and use all of our wedding presents! I forgot what half of them even were! :)
also- let me know if you ever want to come "kick it in my new crib" We would love to have any body over!

Year Long Update

Hello all!!! I can't believe it's been almost a year since my last post! But it has been a very busy year. Gabriel got home on February 5th, we were engaged on April 15th, and married on August 1st in the Louisville, Kentucky, LDS Temple. We went to Gatlinburg, TN for our honeymoon, and had so much fun playing mini-golf and going to the aquarium.

We are both currently in school, he is studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kentucky, and I am studying Communication Disorders at the community college here in Lexington. We absolutely LOVE being married, and are having so much fun. We are so blessed to have both of our families in Lexington. It is making holidays so much easier! Hopefully something exciting will happen soon so that I will have something to update! :)

Holland Edward Dell Simmons

Oh goodness!!!! What news I have today! Yesterday, my sister-in-law gave birth to the most beautiful little boy- and I'm now officially Auntie Sara!!!!!!! I am sooooooo stoked! I haven't seen him yet in person (because they live in Phoenix), but I'm making plans to fly out in January to visit and hold the little munchkin for myself!

Mama and baby are both doing very well. They chose the name- Holland Edward Dell Simmons, for many different reasons- Edward is Mckenzies fathers name, Dell is after me and my father, and Holland is the most interesting of all. When Bill and Mckenzie found out it was a boy, they started thinking of family names that they liked. Well, my mom had an "uncle Holland" who died at the age of 19- so Bill and Kenz, loved the name, and thought it would be sweet to name him after Uncle Holland. Funny thing is- my mom went to the family cemetary, and there was "Holland's" grave stone- which read "Clyde B. Malone" HA!!!! No one knows where Holland came from- but Bill and Kenz decided to keep Holland instead of changing it to Clyde- cause it's the thought that counts righ? haha...

Anyway- He was born at 7 lbs. 8.5 oz and 20.5" long- and is oh so cute!!! These are all the pics that i have so far- of the beautiful bundle of joy!