Wordless Wednesday

(Mexico City, Mexico)

One of the most important lessons my parents ever taught me was that to know where you're going, you have to know where you came from.

1 lb down....many more to go....

Happy Tuesday! Hope ya'll had a good weekend. Bella officially started school yesterday (no parents, no staying...just the kiddos and the teachers). She loved it of course, me? Ehhh...not so much, but I'll survive :)


So as of Sunday, I've officially been doing the 30 Day Shred 1 full week. The first 2-3 days were the hardest, but it's been getting easier with each passing day. Last night I even added an extra 30 minutes of stairs. (Well, not really stairs. I climb up & down my chimney leg...but it's still a pretty good workout). I've only lost one lb this week, but it's something! I took some before/after pics (which I can't believe I'm actually gonna post), and I can't really tell a difference. Oh well...it's only a week and I feel a whole lot better and more motivated, so in the end...that's all that counts. So...be kind please!!

My goal is to weigh 120lbs (I would LOVE to weigh 115, but the goal I set is a bit more realistic). Which means, I have another 25 lbs to go :( I wish I would've lost more weight (to justify all the sweat and tears, lol), but I realize that I didn't gain this much weight over night, so it's not gonna come off over night either.

Thanks for looking!

It's NOW or NEVER!!!

Why can't we all be like these celebrities that seem to pop out a kid and "poof"! "I have my pre-baby body back"?!? I just don't get how they all do it! Yeah, I know it's their "job" to look pretty and their bodies and faces is what they make a living off of...I'm sure if my paycheck depended on my looks I'd be a whoooole lot skinnier. Like most people out there, I struggle with my weight. I mean...I REALLY struggle with it.

I'm pretty short (I'm not even 5'2"), so any weight that I gain automatically goes to all the wrong places. I was always pretty fit through my school years, so I never had to worry about watching my weight. I didn't even hit the 100's until my 20's. I weighed about 115 when I got pregnant (4 years ago). I gained +60lbs during my pregnancy (who does that?! That's not even normal!) and because of the c-section, I couldn't get back into shape as soon as I had liked. And...well...it's been pretty up-hill with the pounds ever since.

On my trip to see my brother, he told us about this app that he uses (although he totally cheats, but don't tell him I said that, lol) which keeps track of his calorie intake. He said he found that he was eating less if he actually saw what he was putting into his body. I also spoke to my SIL and told her that I had gotten the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD. She told me that it worked, but that it was tough.

Well, I'm up for the challenge!

I downloaded the MyFitnessPal App from the iTunes store last Sunday. I think I'm actually addicted to MyFitnessPal now. There are so many great resources as well as tips and guides on how to get the most out of your workout/meals. I also love the forums...it's a great way to get support from people who are on this same journey with you! I also started the 30DS the same day, so I'm hoping that it gives me good results.

If you're on MFP, look me up:

l_heras

Wish me luck!!

"If She's Anything Like Me..."

"She's gonna get in trouble, we're gonna get in fights
I'm gonna lose my temper and some sleep
It's safe to say that,
I'm gonna get my payback
If she's anything like me"


Ok, I changed the lyrics a bit...this is "Anything Like Me" by Brad Paisley.


Bella started her first day of Pre-K today. Ahhh I can't believe my baby is not such a baby anymore :( She didn't do too bad. Like most of the kids there, she was pretty shy. The teachers let all us parents stay for today, just to ease them into the whole school routine. Ahhh...I just can't believe how fast time has gone by! I still remember bringing her home and being so afraid to even give her a bath because she was so little.


I want the best in life for her. I want her to grow up healthy, happy, and completely sure that for her...sky's the limit. I want her to be humble yet know how much she's worth.


Ok, before I get too sappy I'll cut it short. Here are some shots of her today:

Thanks for looking!

Wordless Wednesdays

Yes, I know it's wordLESS, but this is my first one! I think that's supposed to be the challenge in itself, not wanting to yap and yap about whatever the picture/subject may be. I don't know if I can do that, I will try my best though :)




Don't hold me to it though!

A Little Road Trip to the Nature State...

Ok, so as I've mentioned before, I have about 17 siblings. Haha! Ok, more like 5 (4 older brothers and a younger sister). We all live in Texas except for my oldest brother, R; he lives near Little Rock. DH's job requires him to travel to our surrounding states, and thought it would be nice to make a weekend out of one of his work trips so I could see my family up there. (Kuddos DH!)

Somewhere in East Texas...

Anyone who lives in Texas knows how FLAT our state is and well...yeah...it's flat...and HOT! I've always loved mountains and hills, if I could live anywhere else I would live somewhere with lots of "green" and hills. It's so relaxing and just good for the soul to be out-out (and not just at the mall or at our local park). Anyone who lives near anything like this...please invite me! :) We weren't able to escape the heat, but we did get to see a few places nearby that I absolutely fell in love with. Here are some shots from the trip:

Pugh's Mill

  If you've ever seen "Gone With the Wind", this is the mill that is featured in the opening credits. It was absolutely beautiful here, I fell in love. The whole place was so peaceful. There was pretty much no restrictions in getting around here, so you could walk all around it.


If you're interested in reading more about Pugh's Mill, click HERE.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip:





Looking out of the mill



"Tree" Bridge leading out





K, Lil' Sis





She insisted on wearing a crown all day



Told ya!

 






Next to Bells, K is my favorite subject :)

   
 

I couldn't have asked for a better big brother (fortunately, I got lucky 3 more times)

I miss my him so much! He moved there for work about 5 years ago with his family (my sister in law, her parents, and my 2 nieces and nephew). He is truly everything a a big brother should be. He always set a good example for us, and has always been there when I have needed advice or simply someone to talk to. I made a promise to go back soon though, I miss my family there :) They were all so welcoming and we really enjoyed our time there.

Until next time.....

Thanks for looking!!

Corset Invitations

I LOVE finding things I forgot I had while looking for something else! I was looking for some beads, and in looking though my 87687768 storage spaces, I found this. I made this about 2 years ago. I was Matron of Honor for one of my closest friends, Wendi, and these were the invitations to her bachelorette dinner/party.

Inside:



Back:

Isn't she the most beautiful bride ever???

I also made programs (not sure where they're at though). I think eventually I'd like to make a tutorial, but I'm not sure where any of the stuff is. I'll just have to keep on digging then...

:::edit::: I found the pic :)

We used those stock invitations they sell at craft stores that you just print out with a template. I went to a paper shop and bought sheets to make the programs and used the ribbon that was supposed to tie the invitation closed to make a knot at the top. I got an eyelet maker and made some holes at the top.

xox...L

My New Piece

I love art, in any form. I think it is a great outlet and a big stress reliever for me. My house is filled with random little things I make; I just can't sit still for too long :D My parents always took me to museums when I was little. They encouraged me to draw, paint, read, or just be crafty...I really thank them for that. I am trying to pass down those lessons to Bella. Like any normal child she watches TV, but she also loves puzzles, coloring, and painting. Any time I start on a new project, I get her one too. She sees me doing it, and she does it too. (Not for too long though, she gets bored easily like any normal 3 year old)

I have a few pieces hanging throughout my house, but my dining room is by far my problem area. I've changed the wall decorations at least 5 times. I was browsing around blogs (I can't recall the blog I got this idea from, sorry!) yesterday and ran across a great idea. I love art, why not make my own piece? I definitely wasn't gonna do it myself, I have no talent as a painter whatsoever :( Bella however, is a master at making messes!!!

So all it took was one eager child:

A canvas:

A little paint:

And a BIG mess:

And you get:

A masterpiece:

This is my/DH's office. I was going to take pics in the dining room, but by the time it dried Bells was already asleep and I didn't want to wake her up with my hammering (nails in).

I have two smaller canvases that are going to go on this wall. DH is out of town, and when I sent him the pics of this I could tell he was really bummed to have missed out on this. Little does he know, he's gonna do one with her.

Thanks for looking. I know this is a non-nail related post, but I think this is a great idea for anyone to do. It's pretty cheap and a great way to display your child's (or any loved one for that matter) talents :)

Where's the Pause Button on This Thing?!?

If I had one wish that I could have come true, I know what mine would be. I would have a PAUSE button. Life seriously needs to slow down! I feel like I was counting down the days until I turned 21...and now....Bella is about to start school.

A big part of why I decided to start this blog was for this very reason. Like any other mother (or person for that matter) out there knows, time is precious; it waits for no one and it never comes back. 3 years ago I was blessed with the most amazing child ever.


**Here's a bit of backstory: I met my husband 5 years ago in school. We dated for about a year until he was to be deployed to Afghanistan for a year. On October 17, 2007, we got married behind everyone's back (our plan was to tell everyone when he came back and have a wedding then). Around the same time we found out we were going to be having a baby. Two weeks later, he left for Afghanistan. He came home on R&R for 2 weeks in December, where we found out we were having a girl. He was gone before New Year's Eve. He came home the day before Memorial Day, (for another 2 weeks R&R). 2 days, and 15 1/2 hours of labor later, on May 27, 2008 we welcomed our daughter, Isabella Christine.



8lbs 7oz via c-section

I sit here more than 3 years later looking at this picture and cannot believe how fast time has passed us by. It seems like just yesterday I could measure, mix, and heat a bottle of formula with my eyes closed; in the dark, and on about 3 hours of sleep.  

This weekend I was getting her clothes ready for school. She starts on Thursday and like any other mom, I got teary eyed. My baby is growing up and I just wanna pause life for a second, teach her more things, show her more things. I can't, I know. But I have done the best job I can. Ahhhh...all this emotion over the first day of Pre-K, but it's a BIG deal!! I'm sure I'm not the only one out there to have shed a tear (or ten) over their baby's first day of school.

Ahhh my baby, how did you go from that, to this:







Hoping I don't have a nervous breakdown Thursday...

What kind of school takes kids at 3 you ask?? She will be attending one of the KIPP schools. Click on the link to read up on them.

Well well! Look what the cat dragged in!

So, the more I get used to blogging the more I find things I wanna say. Just random everyday observations. So, here I will try to share those things. I am blessed enough to be surrounded by seriously amazing people, everyone of them make me who I am.


Whether it may be my parents...which without I would not be the woman I am today. They believe in me like even I don't believe in myself. They see strengths that I half the time don't realize I have, and I hope to be half the parent to Bella that they are to me.


Or..my family...as weird as we all are, they are my family...my blood. I am blessed with 4 brothers...each different in their own way, yet we're all alike it's scary. Or my sister...which amazes me at how amazing of a young woman she's becoming. Or my husband, above all else he is my soul-mate. We bump heads 99.9999% of the time, but any one that knows us....knows we are the same person. Or...my wonderful, amazing, beautiful, smart, perfect daughter. She is truly my everything, my reason for living and the drive behind everything I do.


Or my amazing friends. I have serioulsy been blessed with the most wonderful group of sisters. They are all so genuine and accepting of how different we are. It makes for a very entertaining time watching us! (Well, at least we like to think so. I will elaborate on them soon. There's tons of stuff to say about them!


Or just having an outlet for all the ideas that go through my head. As a child, my parents always encouraged me to be creative. There was never a shortage of crafts for me to make at home. As an adult, this resulted in me having about 67859 hobbies, and about just as many projects going on at the same time. I just can't sit still for too long!


Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope whoever stumbles upon this enjoys reading about my life and getting to know more about yours truly.


So who am I? I am Laura. A mother, wife, daughter, sister (not to leave out grand-daughter, aunt, cousin, sister-in-law), friend, craft nerd, book worm, and all around nut job.

Thanks for looking!

I leave you with one of my favorite pictures, this was taken on a road trip I took with a few of my BFFs to Austin. This was after we spent about an hour looking for a souvenir shop, it was cold...and rainy, but we had an amazing time :)

I have a thing for taking "odd" pics. I like to think it captures the sentiment and reason behind why the picture is being taken in the first place. Sure, it's nice to smile in pics...but the pictures that evoke the strongest memories for me are the ones where you're capturing the moment and not the pose. Although I do cheese it up in 99% of the pics that are taken of me :D