Today was nice. We got a little visit from The Lashley clan :) (Joel's aunt, uncle, and cousins). I always love getting a visit from them!! They're so fun! Sawyer loves Uncle Todd! She just played with him and didn't pay attention to anyone else the entire time! We got to have lunch together before they got back on the road home. Then Sawyer and I went to Amarillo with Katie and Molly (more of Sawyer's favorite people) and we spent most of the afternoon and evening up there shopping around and eating dinner at Sakura (Molly's favorite place, next to Rosa's). I really enjoyed it; especially because Monday starts the kickoff of my 30-day challenge (I'm hoping to extend it to 60 and then 90 days, but I want to set realistic goals for myself). My 30-day challenge is to stick to my Herbalife shakes. I LOVE them but it is hard to drink them for lunch when I see and smell warm food around me at school. I'm serious about this, though, and want to get back into shape and look and feel better.
My challenge is to drink a shake for breakfast (easiest part - I love having them for breakfast) and a shake at lunch (hard to stick to but easy during the week because it will be my only choice at school!) and then to eat a healthy, balanced dinner. The dinner shouldn't be too hard either because I usually cook dinner. I just have to make sure it is good for me and to always include good veggies and some fruit.
Along with the shakes, I'm going to challenge myself to give up one thing that is not good for me each week. This will be the hardest part. I'll post what I choose to give up as soon as I decide. I know what it should be (soda), but I'm having such a hard time parting with that!! I'm also going to be going to the gym and working hard to get fit and toned. My goal for the first 30 days is to get to the gym at least 3 times a week. If you want to join me I got my membership at the Town Club and plan to take some of the classes that focus on cardio and some weight lifting. I'll also most likely run on the treadmill if I can still move after the class. :) I like the Town Club because they have a daycare that only costs $1 for an hour and a half and it is pretty good size with toys and stuff to keep Sawyer busy, so once softball starts I'll still be able to go work out after practices!
I'm also going to weigh myself and measure my chest, waist, hips, biceps, and thighs each Monday morning and keep track of it in a journal so I can see my progress. If you want to do this challenge with me let me know! Maybe we can keep each other accountable! I could also sell you Herbalife shakes if you want to try them. I think they're delicious (especially the mint chocolate chip warmed up on these cold mornings - - - YUMMY!!) Wish me luck and prayers!!
Anyways, other things going on in the fam...
I have started some craft projects =  YAY! I saw on Pinterest a quiet book where you use old baby clothes to make a book to teach your kid how to work their clothes. Examples are buttoning a shirt, buttoning pants, tie their shoes, etc. I have almost completed it. I'm looking for a belt so she can practice closing a belt. I'll post pictures when I finish! It is looking cute and I think she'll really enjoy it, especially when she gets a little older. I also got materials at Hobby Lobby today to do a few projects for some gifts for friends. I'm really excited about these and will post pictures of them as well, after the friend gets the gifts of course!!

Snowy Day

Well, I already missed a day of blogging!! Oh well :) Yesterday we had a lot of fun at our play-date! We went up to a church that has an indoor play area and it was FREE! It was really neat. There were plenty of things to play on and slides. Sawyer loved it! We will definitely be using that spot whenever we can!!
Here is a picture of her playing:



Today has been good so far. I got my gym membership! :) I don't think I will be able to move tomorrow, but I still plan to at least go walk and lift at the gym...or I might even test out a class. I ran on the treadmill for 15 minutes, did some leg weights, and ran another 10 minutes on the treadmill. It was nice, not too bad. My legs are already sore though!
We were suppose to go take family pictures this afternoon, but it is snowing :( I'm really bummed beacuse the chances of us finding a time to take FAMILY pictures in the next 3 weeks is slim to none. Hopefully we can figure something out. Nothing we can do about it now. I'm just glad I hadn't spent all that time curling my hair yet! It is really cold outside, and snowing, so I'm sure we will appreciate not sitting out in it for pictures, but I do think we could've managed. It is not icy and the road conditions aren't bad, and it isn't even really sticking yet.
Tonight we are going to some friends' to watch the Cotton Bowl. I'm not sure yet who I want to cheer for. I usually find myself cheering for whoever is on offense in games I don't have a team playing. I guess that comes because Joel coaches offense and I like it better! :) And I never lose that way! I don't know much else, so I'm going to head off now to get some things done! Have a good one!

Just another day....

Today was nice. Joel and I are just enjoying getting to spend time together. After we took Sawyer to daycare we came back to his office. I went to work out while he did some work. Then we came back home and put together Sawyer's slide/basketball hoop/soccer net from her Mamaw (my mom). It is funny how frustrated men get when building stuff over the littlest thing! I just tried to keep from laughing while I handed Joel materials. We got it built, though, and boy did she love it!! We picked her up from daycare and she put away the toys she was playing with before she let us take her home :) - - such a big girl! When we got home she LOVED what she saw sitting in the middle of the living room (her slide)! We're still teaching her how to climb up the side, but she's pretty good at going down the slide on her own. She was so excited and just laughed every time she went down. We then enjoyed chicken and dumplings from the crockpot! We had been smelling it all day and could hardly wait! It is one of Sawyer's favorite meals too. She ate two bowls full (her little kid bowl). We then played some more until it was time for her to go to bed. She's so much fun to play with. She makes the funniest faces and is just a happy little girl. You can't help but smile when you're around her!
Joel put her to bed and then we enjoyed watching some of the Sugar Bowl (Florida is getting their butts kicked!) and watched Chicago Fire - - one of "our shows" we watch together. I love it!
Tomorrow, Sawyer and I have a play-date with a friend from church and her twin girls! We can't wait!! I should have some pictures to post from the playing hopefully! That's it for tonight!! I'm off to surf pinterest for all sorts of little projects I want to do! :) If you don't have an account you should definitely get one! Be warned, though; it is addicting!

New Year 2013!!

Wow - - been over a year since we've posted here!! A lot has happened and a lot has changed! Sawyer is here (obviously!) and she has been a huge blessing in our lives! I hope to do a better job of sharing what's going on in our lives with you guys as well as try to come up with some fun/interesting posts. I'd like to be  "good" blogger! :) We'll see how it goes....

First I'm going to list some of the things I want to accomplish this year. Hopefully I can remember to come back here and post as I accomplish some of this stuff.

1. Work out more - I'm not saying an exact number of days or what exactly I want to do. I want to leave it open. My ultimate goal is to be in better shape and be more active. I plan to join a gym and give that a shot to see if it fits our schedule and doesn't take away too much time from Sawyer. Hopefully I can find a good balance. I like classes so I think if I can find a class I enjoy that fits my schedule, I'll be successful.

2. Eat healthier - Duh..probably on everyone's list. I don't eat horrible. We don't even eat out that much or eat a bunch of junk. I just know I could do better. I would like to give up sodas but I LOVE them! :) I think I'll start with limiting myself to 3 sodas a week. That way I only drink them when I seriously need one. Hopefully I'll wean myself back off of them and not "need" them anymore. (They just taste so darn good!)

3. Photoshoot with Sawyer - I've always wanted to do my own photo shoot. I have a nice camera and see great ideas all the time. I think it'd be fun to try my own shoot with Sawyer. I'd also like to take a photography class so I can learn different techniques and how to use photoshop to enhance pictures. Photography is something I've always been interested in learning more about so this would be a fun project.

4. Play/Story Time with Sawyer - I'd like to create a daily routine with Sawyer for each night. We've tried story time multiple times but she wants to just open and close the book. We'll keep trying and I'm sure one day she'll actually let me read her a story :)

5. Capture Sawyer's many facial expressions - I want to try and capture Sawyer's different expressions. She is hilarious and it'd be fun to make some sort of book or collage for her to look back at one day.

6. Date Nights - I want to do a better job of creating time for Joel and me. We need to pick a night at least each month that is "our" night and create time for us. I've always been told to do this and we enjoy just hanging out together, so I think this can easily be accomplished :) We don't have to actually go and do anything but we can have fun just spending time together.

7. Picnic/Hike - I want to go on a picnic/hike in Palo Duro Canyon. I'd like to go on the Lighthouse trail. We have a carrier for Sawyer so this is very possible!

8. Pictures - I want to do a better job of sending pictures of Sawyer and family pictures to mine and Joel's grandparents. It helps them keep up with us and it is fun to send letters with them!

9. Letters - Speaking of mailing pictures, I'd like to handwrite at least 1 letter a month to someone...an old friend, family member, etc.

10. Little Projects - I hope to come up with little projects or things to create for the house or for Sawyer. I'd like to have at least 1 project per month. I'll post pictures as I go!

Hopefully I can keep up with this and do a better job posting!! :) Happy New Year!!

34 Weeks!

Man have things been busy!! We started volleyball August 1st. I've been blessed to have extra help from one of our middle school coaches, Branda, the last two weeks. I definitely would not have made it through 2-a-days and the past week without her!! To fill you in (in case you didn't know) I'm coaching both freshmen teams right now. Our other freshman coach, Miriam, had her little girl 2 weeks ago. She is beautiful and has a head full of hair!! We hope little Sawyer holds off until Miriam is ready to come back so that there will be someone to coach the teams. I do love my girls this year though! They really are a great group and already a lot of fun coaching. They are very athletic and I expect a lot more wins this season!
Now to Sawyer... :)  Today I am 34 weeks and 3 days.



I wake up a lot in the night..of course, and every time Sawyer wakes up too so it takes a while to fall back asleep. She moves like crazy! I can see my stomach move when she moves. Joel loves getting to feel her and see her too. The gestational diabetes thing is going well. My numbers are almost always good..the doctor says I'm doing perfect and he is very satisfied with how well I'm doing. My next appointment is August 24th. I get to get a sonogram. I start going every week at that point and we get a sonogram every single time! :) I'm pretty excited I get to see Sawyer every week until she is born! They say this is the "up-side" to having gestational diabetes...getting all of the sonograms. I guess I'm lucky in a sense that the doctor said I'm really just borderline and he wanted to put me on the diet and blood-sugar testing just as a precaution. It just stinks to prick my finger 4 times a day and to have to be so aware of what I'm eating and when all the time.
Joel started football last week. He has been so busy! The wives get to go eat with our husbands in the school cafeteria for dinner so we can at least see them for a bit each night. It also saves me from having to cook when I'm so exhausted from coaching too! :) He's already had his hands full with some of the guys but I think it will be a good season. He has some good guys working with him and helping him out and the players I've met seem to be good kids. Hopefully I make it out to watch a practice this week.
The next 5-6 weeks will be full of football, volleyball, and baby appointments!! I don't think things could get any busier or crazier than now! I am resting and taking naps every chance I get. I even slept for 4 hours yesterday afternoon after our volleyball tournament and was still able to go to bed around 10. I'll try to keep everyone updated when I get chances! Love you all!

Time is flying by!

Last week I went back to work. We started working on things for volleyball. 2-a-days start August 1st so we've been running around getting things organized and ready for these girls! It is definitely going to be a crazy, busy season! I also found out last week that I have gestational diabetes. :( I met with a dietitian to learn what to eat and what to lay off of a little more for the rest of my pregnancy. It kind of stinks to not be able to eat whatever you want anyways, but it stinks even more when you're pregnant!!! I do know it is important, though, so that Sawyer can be healthy and so I can be healthy as well. I also have to take my blood sugar 4 times a day. I've only been doing it for 5 days and my fingers are so sore. I meet with the dietitian again on Wednesday to find out how I am doing and ways to tweak what I'm eating.
On a positive side.... :)
Joel and I set up Sawyer's room last week too! It was a lot of work putting together the crib (Joel did such a great job!) and then I put up the decorations. :) Her room will also be the guest room, so things are a little tight in there.



On Friday Mamaw, Papa, and Addyson came up from Waco to visit for the weekend. I'm so glad they were able to make the drive up to see us! We were able to spend a lot of time together too. On Saturday, my good friend and co-worker, Amanda, threw me a baby shower. Mamaw and Addyson were able to come to the shower while Joel and Papa hung out.



The shower was so nice! Amanda did a great job! It was ice-cream themed. There was vanilla ice cream and all kinds of toppings to choose from! I'm lucky to have such a good friend. After the shower we went up to Mamaw's hotel and swam with Addyson. She is pretty scared of the water, but Joel and I worked with her and got her to be not quite as scared. Sunday I worked with her some more and got a her a little more confident in the water. I know she wants to learn to swim; she's just scared of going under right now. We also watched a couple of movies at the hotel and just relaxed. It was so nice seeing all of them for the weekend. I was pretty sad last night after leaving them.
Joel left for coaching school yesterday morning and it was back to work for me today. I can't believe things are getting started for us. Time is just flying by! Sawyer will be here in no time!
That's all for now...I'm sure I've left stuff out! I'm so scatter-brained lately! Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

ATX :)

I got to spend this week with Dad in Austin! :) I got there Monday afternoon. We grabbed lunch at the Posse before heading to my 3D/4D sonogram. Jenn came down for the sonogram too. It was pretty crazy getting to see what Sawyer is going to look like! I can't believe they have technology where you can actually see something like that. Here is one of the pictures from the sonogram:

This made me so excited for her to get here!! I know everyone says to enjoy it while I can (without the baby and being able to sleep) but I just can't wait for Sawyer to get here! I even had my first dream about her that night. She had a dirty diaper and I was having the hardest time cleaning her up! She was rolling around and poop was everywhere! I didn't know what to do! Joel had to help me out. :) haha funny dream....
Tuesday, dad and I went down to San Marcos to the outlet mall. We both found some new clothes and got Joel some stuff too :) Wednesday we relaxed at the pool. It was so nice getting into a pool! We really need to invest in one some day! The water was cool and I got a little bit of a tan! After the pool, we went to the Posse for Trivia Night. Dad has to ask the questions and lots of people show up for it. They have teams and they compete for prizes. I played on the team with the bartenders. It was a lot of fun. The week went by too fast. It was nice spending time with my dad. I don't get to see him enough. I'm glad Jennifer was able to come down for a day too.
Today marks 10 weeks left in the pregnancy. It feels like so far away, but I know it is going to go so fast. We go back to work next week and volleyball starts August 1st so time will fly by.
I can't believe my summer is already coming to an end. I've been so blessed to have gotten to do so much this summer and to spend so much time with family and friends.
I hope everyone else has had a wonderful summer too!