Happy 3rd Birthday, Lauren!

Happiest of birthdays to my first born. 

I think this year is so much more fun because she has been excited for months.  She could barely contain herself last night when we were making her cake! 
We have a fun day planned with some friends coming over for pizza and cake. 
I know she will have a blast! 

We love you, Lauren Grace. We can't imagine our lives without you. 

Weekly weigh- in: 210.8

Happy Friday!

I have been a little absent the last 2 weeks and for a good reason!  We went on vacation!  We went down the coast of Oregon to Seaside and the surrounding towns.  It was a very nice getaway but I'll save that for another post. 

I missed last weeks check in so I'm playing catch up today. 
I will admit that on vacation, I did not eat the greatest and of course did not go to a gym.  We did do some short hikes and I did take an hour long walk on the beach one morning, but despite that when I weighed myself Monday morning (4days ago) I was back up to 216.  Queue tears.  I know it was due to the way I ate on vacation, and of course PMS.  Sounds like an excuse but seriously a few days before my period, I totally bloat up and even look pregnant and puffy.  It's crazy.

I jumped right back in Monday and have been hitting the gym and making healthier choices. 
This morning I weighed in at 210.8. Whoohoo!  My original goal was 205 by 8/31.  Seeing as though that is a week away, that is pushing it.  I cannot lose that much weight in a healthy manner in one week.  The most important thing is that I am not giving up and the more and more I do this, the more and more it becomes a lifestyle not a 'diet'.  It helps that Kevin is doing it with me now.

That's all for now.  I hope you all have a great weekend and keep reminding yourself that the weight didn't come on in a week or even a month, so it's not going to come off that quick.  Just keep up the hard work everyone! 

Starting weight:  222lb
Today's weight:  210.8
Total weight loss:  11.2 lb

Airshow

Girls and I in front of a Navy plane. 

 We recently had the privilege of attending a FREE airshow put on at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.  The entire event was free to the public and it was a blast.  We also had the chance to go the night before for a "Hangar party" for military families only.  They fed us supper, had a band, several booths set up and some even met the pilots!  I would have to say this was one of the best times we have had as a family.  The girls absolutely loved it and Kevin and I enjoyed it too!
We are just so thankful for the opportunities that are presented to us, especially ones that are FREE!  You can't beat that. 

C-17  - these planes are so huge!  It's so exciting that we actually get to see these fly at least 2-3 times a week.  Living near the airbase is so awesome! 

The girls inside a Stryker vehicle.  This is the vehicle that Kevin's unit uses. 

Lauren piloting a Blackhawk helicopter. 

She loved it.  Can you tell? 

This moment was truly amazing.  This parachuter jumped, carrying the flag during the playing of the National Anthem.  Still brings tears to my eyes. Loved it. 

Army Golden Knights Parachute team

Golden Knights

Golden Knights

Stealth bomber

Super sleepy girls.  It was actually a warm day (for here) and we were out in the sun for about 6 hours.  The girls were pooped! 

Here are a few videos of the airshow.  Some of the acts just took our breath away.  They are at the beginning of the post.  Sorry! 

Weekly weigh-in: 212.4

212.4 
Down another 1.8lbs! 
It has been a ridiculously challenging day today at home with our kids, so the weight update is about all your going to get.  I hope to get back on track with actually blogging about the kids/recipes/etc. Not just my weekly weigh ins. 

Anyway, have a great weekend!

Starting weight:  222
Today's weight: 212.4
Total weight loss:   9.6lbs

P.S.  I was pretty stoked today because I ran for 7 minutes  without stopping!  I know for some of you, it may not seem like much but at the end of June when I started this journey, I could not run for more than 30 seconds at a time without feeling like I was going to keel over and die.  So I'm pretty excited and on my way to a mile straight!

Weekly weigh-in: 214.2

Down 1.4lbs from last week.  I am happy to see the scale gradually go down.  Still my one major fault is weighing myself everyday.  I'm obsessed.  I know!  I almost need Kevin to take it away and hide for the week. 
I sucked it up this week and put the girls in childcare at the gym.  I made it to the gym 4 times since the last weigh in. 
It's been a super busy week at our house and I would have gone more to the gym but Kaelin has had a snotty nose for a while and I was informed by the gym childcare that they don't allow kids with snotty noses if the snot is green/yellow.  I understand where they are coming on but come on, kids have snotty noses. Kids pass germs.  Kaelin has been a snot bucket since she was born. In Kansas I don't there was more than 2 months total that she wasn't without a snotty nose because of allergies.  They (allergies) seem to have subsided once we moved and I honestly believe she just has a cold because of the climate changes and the fact that she is teething and her fingers are always in her mouth.  Also, I have been sneezing like crazy and I sometimes here Lauren sniffling but nothing to the extent of Kaelin's snot-fest.  There were a few days that it was super sticky/thick and greenish, so in case of an infection I got her into the doctor this morning.   I'm actually taking both girls for their well checks and a few issues that I have concerns with.  Anyway.  My beef with the gym child care is that I would never jeopardize the health of another family by sending my SICK child to their care.  In fact the lady told me they only had to wipe Kaelin's nose once in the 90 minutes that she was there.  I don't think that's too bad..but still green and that's a no no to them.  So my point is.  If she had a fever, or was throwing up etc.  I would do what any other daycare would say:  Keep her home for 24 hours until fever subsides.  But she doesn't have a stinking fever! 
Sorry for my rant but I just think the runny nose rule is dumb.  I have kept her home the last two days and probably throughout the weekend and we'll see what the doctor says today.  It'll be one of 3 things.  Common cold (most likely), sinus infection (possible because of thick/green consistency) or once again allergies. 
So snotty nose kid = me not getting to the gym the last 2 days.  Kevin's days have been very long (14 hours ) and by the time we have supper and clean up, I just don't feel like leaving in the evening.  I actually really enjoy go during the day and getting out of the house for a few hours.  It makes me really enjoy my evenings home with my family instead of despising them. 

How was your week ?  As a parent or some of your are teachers/caregivers...  Is the snotty nose rule a little overboard or do you think they are on the right track? 

Starting weight:  222
Current weight:  214.2
Total weight loss:  7.8 lbs

Goal:  205 by August 31st.  9.4lbs to go!  That's about 2.35lbs per week for the next 4 weeks. I can do it!!