#goals

One of the things that David and I have struggled with since moving here is finding our church "home". We attended a local Church of Christ for a spell, but still felt as though something were missing. We desperately craved the type of relationships we had at Meridian (you know, before things got crazy), but our chaotic schedules made regular attendance and fellowship difficult. At one point, we stopped going altogether. Curiously, even though we've found a different church that works for us, we're still inconvenienced by our hectic and demanding schedules. I'm finally getting out of the habit of wishing "tomorrow" would get here, but I can't help but be excited for a time when we will have the time (and energy) to meet new people and make new friends. This last year, I've made a conscious effort to make time for God and for the amazing things He is doing our lives.  It's not everyday that I find myself reflecting on sermons hours after I hear them. Today's experience, however, was an exception and I'm so excited to share it with you.

#GOALS

Everybody has them. Some of us are notorious makers and breakers. Some of us set long term goals, while others are satisfied with meeting smaller, daily goals. Some of our goals are practical, while others are a thing of dreams. We often define personal achievement by our ability to meet or exceed the goals we set for ourselves. One of the biggest problems with this, however, is knowing whether or not the goal that you have set/met is the right goal. Meeting the wrong goal does not always fulfill our needs. Making good time to the wrong destination still makes us lost. Recently, we have purposely embarked on a journey that is uncomfortable on an individual level and stressful at the married level. The goal of this journey has challenged our thoughts and actions, and has motivated us to "do a lot with a little". What I've been able to take from this experience is that sometimes the right goal is not what we want, but rather what we need. Another thing I've come to accept is that reaching IS achieving. Having the courage, the strength, the resilience, and the commitment to stretch yourself beyond what you previously thought was impossible is the moment in which God uses your limited gifts to merge the gap between your limitations and the amazing plans He has made for you. We might not be comfortable and we might feel like we're stretching beyond our capabilities, but after today's message, we're certain that the growth is in the stretch.

I hope you feel challenged to continue stretching toward your goal; to continuously reevaluate your progress and your end game. Share this with someone who might be struggling with their personal conviction and drive!

Banana Almond Butter Muffins

In an attempt to get back on track after my trip, I've been looking for recipes to help curb my sweet tooth - or at least satiate it in a sort-of-healthy kind of way. Check out this quick muffin recipe!

*Gluten free
*Whole30 approved

Ingredients:
- (1) cup almond butter
- (3) ripe bananas (original recipe called for 2, but when I do this over, I'm going to use three to get a stronger banana taste)
- (2) large eggs
- (1) tsp vanilla
- (1/2) tsp baking soda
- OPTIONAL: (1) tbsp honey (Not sure how these would taste without the honey, so I recommend adding it)
- OPTIONAL: you can add absolutely anything you want - nuts, blueberries, chocolate chips, etc

How-to:
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2) Blend all ingredients in the blender (what??? too cool.) until it is creamy
3) Grease muffin tin (I used Coconut Oil spray)
4) Pour mix into liners
5) Cook for 12-14 minutes or until baked all the way through

Enjoy, y'all!! xoxo

Edible Fingerpaint

After many requests, here are the ingredients and instructions for the super easy edible fingerprint activity!

Ingredients:
-Baby oatmeal cereal
-Water to desired consistency
-Food coloring

Activity Prep:
We did this in the bathtub to minimize clean up. If you want to do this anywhere outside of the tub, I suggest using posterboard instead of paper. Lay lots and lots of plastic. This stuff gets everywhere! Have all of baby's (and yours, if you decide to get in on the fun) bath stuff ready to go next to the tub because I guarantee it will be necessary!

                           

                               That's it! Totally easy, right?

 

At first, he wasn't really sure. But it was quickly evident that "edible" was key for this activity. 

 

Sensory activities are perfect for this age! Introducing infants to these types of activities fosters brain development and association behaviors.

 

I absolutely loved this! Everything was convenient from the ingredients to the clean up. Don't be afraid to let your babies get messy. I've come to realize in the last few weeks that this journey I'm on - motherhood - is not about prepping him for all of the amazing things I know he will do with his life later, but enjoying every single second now. Feel free to steal the hashtag #beherenow that I'd picked up from a few of my girlfriends a few months back. Implement it in your marriage, in your spiritual life, in your job, and in your seemingly monotonous day-to-day activities. When it feels like you're waiting for your life to "begin", remember that you're missing the life you're living!

xoxo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glorious Mommyhood

I've been perfecting this entry over a period of time - trying to come up with the perfect way to convey all of the exciting newness of becoming a mother. Looking back on my last post, it's so funny to read about how I imagined everything would be compared to how it actually was. If you've caught any of my five-a-day pictures of Roman, you already know that I love this little bundle of grossness. I love the dirty diapers, the constant flow of vomit, the hunger screams, the tired tantrums, and the every-hour feedings when all I want to do is get four straight hours of sleep. I know! It sounds like a healthy batch of sarcasm, but really - he's the best. But just so we're clear here [David], this will be the one and only miracle I push out.

To recap my journey so far: at my 38 week appointment, my mid-wife told me that I had no choice but to be induced within the next few days because of my blood pressure. I wasn't preeclamptic at that moment, but I was clearly on my way. So we were scheduled to arrive at the hospital on Sunday night. Unfortunately, this meant that I would forgo the natural water birth I had always dreamed of and that I really had little say on whether or not I'd have an epidural. Apparently, my blood pressure would be too high not to have one (they were right). My labor was exactly like the Alien picture I featured in my last post; complete with painful screams, tears, and a team of people holding me down while baby Roman violently forced his way out. I was lucky enough to have a short labor of 10 hours, with a grand total of 15 minutes of pushing. Those 15 minutes of pushing, however, were accompanied by a panic attack set off by a surge of back pain brought on when my mid-wife rolled me from my side to my back right after she told me I was ready to push. Whoever said epidurals make you completely numb (or told me so, anyway) was a liar. It made me feel heavy and tired, but I still felt the contractions and still wanted to die. Fast forward through a fever, a BP of 157, specialists rolling in crash carts, hooking up an EKG machine, covering this claustrophobic, crazy person's whole face with an oxygen mask, and you have the birth of beautiful, flawless 8 lbs 9 oz baby Roman.

Many of my labor fears went unmet including tearing or having to have an episiotomy. My mid-wife was spectacular. I'd definitely recommend getting one, even if you intend on having a hospital birth. No doctor is going to massage your perineum. At least not without a sizable bribe. Anyway. We stayed for a few days, enjoyed a few visitors, and returned home to a glorious unknown to start being parents.

The first few days were met with complete uncertainty. Thank God my mother was here with us because it was a real struggle navigating breastfeeding and circumcision wounds. Admittedly, I couldn't bring myself to change one dirty diaper until his little areas healed. It was physically painful even being within earshot during his changing. Apparently, the hospital we were at wasn't up with current wound care practices and we could have avoided painful diaper changes with a circumcision wrap. I'd say "next time", but...you know. Over the next several weeks, we were blessed to be in the company of our mothers. It's a never ending cycle for them. Though we've finally settled in to a rhythm that's comfortable, it was suddenly strange to be on our own without any help. How do other people do it?

There's a lot to look forward to in the upcoming months. At the moment, I'm concentrating on establishing a schedule that Roman can rely on when I return to work, maintaining my epic GPA (which I say as I'm currently procrastinating on a paper due in five and a half hours), and losing weight. At seven weeks postpartum, I've lost 29 lbs! This week I'll be trying my hand at Burn Boot Camp after I get my IUD (assurance that there won't be any additional Hindmans to this family). While I've only got 4 more lbs to go until my pre-pregnancy weight, I'd like to lose about 30 more in order to get rid of this belly pooch. There's nothing like carrying around a 12 lb baby up the stairs to remind you that you are terribly out of shape. If nothing else, a little nip/tuck never hurt anyone, right? Only 3 more weeks of maternity leave left before I have to stop enjoying these 3 and 6 am feedings. Again, only partial sarcasm intended.

Thanks for the continued support and offers for babysitting! Roman's 2 month appointment (WHAT??) is right around the corner, which daddy gladly agreed to take him to because mommy can't handle shots! Continue following the ridiculously fast growth of baby Roman by following me on Facebook (Samantha Hindman) or Instagram (@godstronggirl).

xoxo

How to hate pregnancy like a boss featuring hashtags

Holy 9 weeks!

Now that I'm approaching the end, I can't deny how strangely manageable these past seven months have been. But I'm also afraid that these easy breezy, beautiful (#covergirl) months come at the expense of 24 hours (or more) of hell. They say you forget...but I'll believe it when I see it.

In the beginning of my pregnancy, I suffered from nausea that persuaded me to avoid consuming most anything, but I was (and have been) fortunate enough to lack vomiting as a symptom of my changing body. In the middle, I was able to eat more, but experienced a smattering of two-second heartburn and backaches (the only real symptom I could have done without) coupled with severe irritability and a lack of patience. (Poor David.) Currently, I'm experiencing this feeling of HUGENESS, as if I could fall forward (or pass out from walking up the stairs) at any minute...and I pretty much look forward to any amount of time that my body gets to be horizontal. I don't want to do much of anything, but there is still so much to do. And did I mention the stretch marks? #thestruggle, am I right?

Speaking of stretch marks, I know some women who are so proud of their lil' miracle and are happy to share pictures of their bellies complete with phrases like "these are my victory stripes". #putyourshirtdown. I have a serious complex about the fact that my stomach currently looks like scene out of a pitiful slasher movie. In fact, for a majority of my pregnancy, I've associated pregnancy with this:

I should admit that I actually broke down at work one day because I was disgusted by being able to see Roman move inside me. #world'sworstpregnantwoman

I should also probably admit that on the flip side, I am incredibly satisfied with how AWESOME my hair has become since getting pregnant. Let's be honest, it's fanfrickintastic. #world'smostvainpregnantwoman

It's hard to fathom the degree of change awaiting me in these upcoming weeks. Often, I find myself overjoyed at the prospect of Roman's arrival; knowing that he was created from the unimaginably blissful relationship that I have with my spectacular husband. {--Can I just interrupt this thought process to truly appreciate how amazing David has been? I don't think I could have made it without having him around to tolerate my complaining or avidly admiring my gross body everyday or (literally) picking me up because I'm too heavy to get up off the floor/couch/bed/car/anywhere by myself? #world'sneediestwife--} Other times, however, I'm overwhelmed with fear and anxiety; nervous about how I'll be able to handle mom/wife/scholar/employee at once and still maintain some level of normalcy. I fluctuate between being content and being erratic on the daily. #acutebipolardisorder

Maybe things will get better once he gets here...or at least once he gets on a normal sleep schedule. Or maybe I'll be your average middle class MILF who tucks a flask between her bra and breast pad in case of "emergencies". #priorities. I'm kidding. Please don't call child services.

I feel obligated to thank everyone who has had the...pleasure...of dealing with me in any fashion since I've been pregnant. It has been a roller coaster of ridiculousness that I don't intend to repeat any time soon - if ever. You guys rock. #appreciate. Look for pictures on my facebook page by clicking the link or button to the right!

And then there were three.

We're kind of into that shock effect...

Women always imagine what that first moment of clarity will feel like; how your heart races, that second of disbelief, the mixture of fear and excitement all rolled into one indescribable emotion. I could clearly picture the elated look on his face and the salted tears on my own. I imagined the celebratory "Congratulations!" from our family and friends, the tight hugs, and contagious, squealing laughter. While I never did cry, what I never expected to feel was the innate calmness associated with being one with motherhood.

Introducing...Baby Hindman!

Coming to a womb near you July 2014!

Work. Tired. Exhaustion. Master's. Tired. Puppy. Tired.

I feel like this is my first ever blog post. Can I just say that I absolutely despise not having the time to be with my blog family anymore? Things are kind of insane here on my end!

I'm working now. Like every weekend. Like every day. Bedtime has its perks, I tell ya. Not mine, of course, but all of my crazy kids. Only 90 more hours of work to go. Unfortunately, I say that on a consistent basis, with no end in sight. Working this much and getting my Master's is no fun at all. But hey: I'm married. To the most wonderful man in the world, at that.

Lots of new things: my dad is semi-walking (!), we have a new puppy (please see the end of the most previous post for a laugh), and we're getting ready to move into a new apartment (hopefully the last apartment before house...and baby!).

I'd write more, but my ability to focus on things for an extended period of time has certainly dwindled. One free second and my eyes are convinced it's sleep time.

Until next time!

xoxoxox

Well this is crazy...

There's too much insanity going on right now. Crazies running around killing children. Crazies running around killing soldiers. Crazies running around killing innocent civilians. Oh yea, and crazies crossing 3 lanes of traffic and running over a pedestrian...without stopping.

I got the call at work. Hour 15. Great.

I left work, got my boys, and headed south on a 11 hour, spur-of-the-moment, exhausting road trip with no money, no sure idea of what happened or what was going to happen, and no actual clothes. I had David to thank for starting the laundry minutes before I got there to pick him up. Wonderful.

We started out with crushed legs, internal bleeding, head wounds and lots of staples, vertebrae trauma, road rash and embedded gravel, other cuts and bruises...we were worried about his prognoses, but trusted and prayed and leaned on Him to carry us through such a devastating time.

Good news is that my dad is alive. For those following my facebook posts, those creating prayer chains, those [amazing people] who helped us out financially while we were traveling, securing a new, handicap accessible apartment for my parents....THANK YOU! God has done some amazing things for us, and has given us good friends and family.

Today, they are supposedly bringing my dad's new hospital bed to the parents' new apartment. Dad will come home soon, for about 5 weeks, before he returns to the hospital for more surgeries. Excellent!! He might not be home for Christmas, he might not ever walk, but he's alive.

In other news...

End of the world posts are running rampant! I find this to be a very exciting time of year. We've got apocalypse shows and series on TV, crazy facebook and twitter posts, and news media all over the official OFFICIAL end of the world festivities. Not to be confused with other, past "official" end of the world events. It's like a Parks and Rec episode. I find it to be pretty insane that stations are running apocalypse specials when there are so many other pertinent, real issues at hand to be televised. It's ridiculous how much hype unrealistic events get compared to real tragedy, pain, and war. That's American media for you!

I suppose this is my only segue into the "I just got married" debut. 

Yeah. That's right. 

Married. 

Take a second for it to set in. 

We figured it was now or never, since the end of the world starts (ends?) today. (Can someone please find me an itinerary? Should I cook dinner? Start laundry?) Also...is the end of the world respectful of time zones, or will we have to tune in an hour earlier? Anyway, we marched on over to the church, said our "I do"s and went on our merry way. Not the way either of us (mostly him) envisioned it, but the Mayans really didn't give us much to work with.



On a completely serious note, HOORAY! we're married! It's been a long--albeit quiet-- time coming. Some people knew, most people didn't. Others were waiting for an invite to a wedding we had been secretly planning. But after much consideration and my father's recent accident, we decided to postpone the celebration, but not the commitment, and make it official. It's a strangely satisfying, backwards process. Now this family of three can become a family of four. Ha. I'm kidding. Leo couldn't handle shared affections with another dog.

Married life, son. 

Happy End-of-the-World/Marriage Day.

xoxo

Procrastination.

I'm blogging instead of doing homework. How...expected. I'm recovering from 5 days of gross, leaky, mucus-y sickness; enjoying my last three days of my "5 day weekend" week. I have to say that I really do enjoy only working two days out of the seven. It makes working two, back to back 16 hour shifts totally worth it!

Today I've managed to wake up before noon, hygiene, wash the dishes, clean the house, and write about 20 words of my discussion post for coursework. Which is more than I can say for the last two days I've been home. The past two days mostly consisted of waking up, brushing my teeth, and then going back to bed. But now I'm watching Pitbulls and Parolees on mute. Fully awake. Fully dressed. I'm not sure why I leave the Animal Planet on all day. Or why I waste electricity by keeping the TV on mute for hours. In fact, I don't even like this show. It's like the bumpkin version of Animal Cops, except all of the employees are ex-cons. But I feel better, so I deserve quiet TV. Oh the benefits of the Hubs finally having a legit job. No more Sports Center loops!

If you hadn't heard, David passed his life insurance license exam. Earlier this week, he signed all of his contracts and so on and so forth. Today was his first "real" day of OTJ training with his new company. I'm definitely thankful to have some peace and quiet around the house!

Oh, and I did this:

By "did this", I mean I spent $3.99 on a cinnamon broom (that I've been searching everywhere for) and dug out some light-up pumpkin decorations from the bottom of my Christmas tote. Now we can enjoy Halloween properly. The only thing left to do is get some candy for trick-or-treaters. Last time I invested in candy, not ONE child came to my door. And I was heartbroken!! This year, I'm hoping that none show up so that I have an excuse for buying a ridiculous amount of chocolate and "having" to eat it all. What can you do, right? The good news is that it smells like cinnamon in the house.

Other than that, no new news to share. My job is great, but stressful. Especially while  sick. I'm excited for the autumn weather, and even more excited for the upcoming holidays. (Is Black Friday a holiday?) I'll leave you with this:

The view from my porch. Happy fall, tree.

Happy fall, friends.

That time I accomplished my dreams while cutting all the corners.

Wow! It's been too long since I've updated. It's only slightly ridiculous that I'm consistently away for extended periods of times now that I've moved to Charlotte. It has gone from daily or bi-daily posts to once every month or so. I'm sorry for neglecting you! In reality, my life is not as interesting as it used to be.

Last I left you, I was so very thankful that I had been blessed with an amazing partner in crime. This is how that day went:

Lucky girl!

*****

You would think that we were busy bees these last few weeks being unemployed and all, but that couldn't be further from the truth. My days have consisted of a lot of this:

This happens to be my new textbook that arrived for my next semester, but I'm on a break from school, so this isn't very representative of what I've had my nose in. Also, that was not a cocaine joke.

College Gameday: Saturdays consisting of nothing but pajamas, junk food, and couch potato-ing.

The only legit thing we've been up to. Shared prayer time makes for stronger relationships.

Foot fetish. Leo's got one.

Chocolate chip cookie mug cake.

Productive, as you can clearly see.

Seriously though, our spiritual journey is probably one of the only things in our life that is making constant progress. We've started with the Fergusons' One Year Couples Devotional: reading and studying and praying our way to open and honest communication. Very enlightening! It came to me one night before bed. It was hidden away in one of our many bookcases; it's initial intention to guide me toward marriage all that while ago. Finally, it's use has a purpose. I am finally finding solace in a healthy prayer life that compliments our healthy lifestyle.

And now onto the most exciting news of the week! 

I'm so very happy to announce that I've been offered a position with a local, prominent nonprofit organization as a Behavioral Health Counselor working with children. And I really have no one else to thank for this except for God, Himself. I have no previous experience, no master's degree (yet), and very little exposure to the counseling environment. This Monday, I'll start a two week training session that will introduce me to the work they do there, and the most reliable means of communication and interventions available.

And while I have mixed emotions, I'm also grateful that my hours will be confined to Saturday and Sunday (for a total of 32 hours), with the opportunity to make an additional 8 hours during the week. I will have the rest of the week to myself, to keep up with housework, homework, and to define a regular exercise regimen.

I'd also like to thank everyone who has been supportive (with prayers or otherwise) while we've been making these transitions. David has almost completed his insurance license coursework. All that's left is the state exam and he'll be ready to start! We do ask for continued prayers for this long-anticipated career opportunity.

It's been a while, but I did a Frenchie for this upcoming week! Yay for professionalism, class, and neutral tones.

Thank you for all that you do, reader! 

The next post should be as equally as exciting, so stay tuned! 

xoxo

Meaningful moments.

For most of you in the adult world, the big "one year" bit really doesn't have much weight. But just this year, I've accomplished more spiritually, emotionally, and physically than I have over the last five. I've come to know love that is patient, trusting, kind, protecting, honoring, justified, calm, and blessed by God. In this, I've learned "togetherness" and teamwork, sacrifice and compromise. It is everything I want and everything I need. Let me thank you, reader, for enjoying this crazy, chaotic journey with us.

"Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved."

Shakespeare, Sonnet 116

I am a blessed woman. God has given me more chances than I deserve, and more love than I can reciprocate. How wonderful it is that He has also given me David. 

I love you, dear. Here's to many more years of excitement and bliss.

Scoute Route Scavenger Race

On Friday night, David, Amanda, and I headed downtown to collect our race packets from Fitzgerald's Irish Pub. Good thing packet pickup was at a pub because after the day we had, Amanda and I were in serious need of a good drink and filling food. We managed to get our packets, but we're lousy alcoholics and the food was much like cafeteria food. Needless to say, we probably won't be eating there again. All the let-down-ness was quickly forgotten, however, after the excitement for the following day's scavenger hunt.

Last week, I mentioned that I bought tickets. David and I were one team, cleverly renamed "Wild Things". Hooray for finally having a legitimate use for buying matching shirts.

I know you can barely see it, but my hair was a FRO of teased and tangled hair; spray dyed a tealish blue. David's was just dyed. Men have it so easy! I was able to spray David's hair in under five minutes. Thankfully, he also agreed to help me with mine. I would tease it, and he would dye it. Layer. By. Freaking. Layer. I was already dreading the clean up. But when we got to the judges, we got the full 3 points for creativity and costume effort. Amanda and our other friend from work, Jamie, were also a coed team; vying for the first place, "cruise-to-Belize" prize. They both happened to wear grey shirts, and renamed their team on the spot to "50 Shades of Grey". They got one point for spontaneous creativity. Hey, it was something!

We got our map with the addresses of the challenges and tried to figure out the best way of covering all of the 10 challenges efficiently. The only thing we didn't know prior to race day was what each challenge consisted of, or how many points we could make at each, or how long the line would be.

The only modes of transportation we could use were the light rail and the city bus. We got day passes, knowing there was no way we could run around the entire downtown in three hours. Talk about huge. It'd be like having a race that covered the entire city of Tallahassee. There was just no way to run it all. And (!) I had completely forgotten my inhaler. I was one stressed out mess, however smiley I was trying to be for David. First team back to the finish line with 100 points in under 3 hours wins!

The scavenger hunt was less scavenger and more Amazing Race. At every checkpoint, there was a challenge you had to complete that you received  points for based on your performance. The only one we did terrible at was the bowling challenge. After running for 45 minutes already, we had to run up to this bowling alley and we each had a chance to throw a ball down the lane for points. One ball, one throw, per teammate. If the first person threw under 10, the second would have to knock down the remaining pins. If the first person threw a strike, the second person could have their own chance at 10 new pins. Shakey and sweaty, we both rolled gutter balls. So 15 minutes wasted at this checkpoint for a grand total of 0 points. But all we could do was move onto the next one. What I did enjoy, though, was how at every checkpoint that required team work to complete the challenge, we did great on. We got a lot of "best so far" or "excellent"s. The challenges that were one person, then the other, we didn't do so hot at.

But! We made it through 8 of the 10 challenges with a half an hour left, knowing relatively nothing of the city or places we were in. With the finally two challenges being too far from the finish line to make it before the course closed, we headed back to the finish line with 73 points. Not bad for a 0 pointer and skipping two challenges.

At the end of the day, we had managed to run a large portion of the race and finished in the top 20. I used Google Maps to figure out how far we ended up traveling (with the closest matching route we took) and it totaled up to 8 miles!

Can I just say--I am one lucky girl. I would say "in the world", but I feel like this feeling rings true for every woman who finds their "other". From start to finish, and everywhere in between, David was strong for us and worked with me. He helped with the costumes at 6am, helped strategize throughout the day, held my hand for the entire race (we must have looked so silly holding hands while running!), washed all of the dye out of my hair, and then helped me wash and dry Leo before we fell asleep on the couch. I can definitely say that it was one of the best bonding experiences I've ever shared with him, and one of the most exciting days we've had (second only to our spontaneous trip to Harry Potter world).

I don't know if Jamie and Amanda has as good of a time, but I'm glad we all got to participate. After this experience, David and I are definitely going to do it again next year. I hear people train and strategize all year for this race. I suppose a cruise could be worth it. Day 1 after race day, though....it doesn't feel worth it. I'm in pain, I tell ya! 

Much better than the half gallon plastic tank we had him in. No more hard plastic palm tree. Now he has a heating rock, and some Roman memorabilia. Oh, and a filter. So no more changing his water daily. $300 later, Rocky (aka Franklin) is a happy turtle. We aim to please.

Only a few more weeks until Lauren and Tyler get here. I'm anxious to finally get some quality girl time in. Shopping. Movies. Gossip (you know, about our men). It's all very thrilling.

Thanks for keeping up, guys!

Next week probably won't be as exciting, but I'll do my best to keep you updated. 

xoxo

The perfect view.

I'd like to say "I hate Thursdays", but let's get real. Homework Thursday is more like Homework Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Check it out: I'm actually just in the midst of procrastination (like a pro, if I do say so myself).

I'm going to try not to jinx myself by also saying that I think everything is finally slowing down. David is not working ridiculous hours, so we get to drive home without me having to wait on him or him having to wait on me (well, not for too long anyway). I'm getting off from work at a decent hour, getting my homework done, getting dinner ready, and yesterday, I even had time for a run. (Count it. Number two since I've been here.)

My run last night wasn't too bad. Minimal cramping. It's all a matter of staying properly hydrated and stretching more. But I did it. In this heat. With all the other crap going on. Without David. I need to stay on track. We've definitely fallen out of our pretty solid health routine. Patience, right?

Essie 'Devil's Advocate' and 'Set in Stones'

I know it's not Friday, but here's my Nail Files post anyway. I did the glitter on this number in the car on the way to work this morning...AFTER David spilled my entire bowl of cereal all over the center console in the car. Needless to say, I had another bowl as soon as I got home from work to satisfy that unshakable Fruity Pebbles desire. I had planned on leftovers (I hate them), but David decided to go to his sisters, so I'm all by my lonesome, and therefore, don't have to pretend I enjoy them.

On a sad note, I was really looking forward to my mom's visit this weekend. She had some sort of procedure done to alleviate the pressure she's been having for her hip, and can't make the 10 hour drive without anticipating excruciating pain. I guess I can understand. I'm just bummed. It's hard getting in some fellowship time when you live forever away from your church friends, and our neighborhood is full of older adults and families, rather than with people our age. It's great in most circumstances, but not when we're trying to make some friends. Luckily, my new bestie, Amanda, and I get to see eachother every. single. day. at work...so no lack for fun times there. This is how cool we are:

If you can't quite make it out, that would be a taxidermy armadillo that she's pretending to birth from her hoolie. This woman is nothing but class, I tell ya! (But for real, I love her.)

Southern lifestyle is definitely taking a toll on me. I think I said "y'all" for the first time in my life the other day. I smiled when it came out, thinking I must sound ridiculous. But it was alright. No one even noticed.

If you hadn't recognized the obvious difference in my picture taking, I broke down and got an iPhone. Notice how the nail picture is nice and clear and the picture of Amanda looks like I took it with a 1990's camera? Yay iPhone. Really though, I've been having problems with Boost service, and I end up getting a new phone every year. So I figured I might as well make the investment and get on board with AT&T. If you haven't added my new number, please do! It's on my facebook wall, for the friends who are too lazy to get on and check out my awesome picture timeline and haven't seen it.

Speaking of awesome, I think I promised pictures of our new furniture. Here's what we got!

Forgive my messy table. It is homework-procrastination time, after all. It's really coming together over here!

I need to get working on this homework. Stupid Ethics! Who needs you?! Obviously, it's not a good idea to have sex with the mentally unstable clients you're working with. I mean really.Why am I spending three hours working on this nonsense? *Shakes head* I just don't understand school. I spend so much time learning...well...hearing...a lot of common sense. Oh well. I'm only paying $50,000 to learn things I already know. No biggie.

Before I go, I'd like to mention that about a week ago, David woke up and told me about this crazy scavenger hunt dream he had. Today, the daily Groupon is a city-wide scavenger hunt in Charlotte. I bought 'em. One set for David and I, and another set for Amanda and friend. If we get to work as a team, I figured it'd be best to have some people who know plenty about the area, but I have a feeling we're just going to end up competing against them, get lost, get frustrated (David with me) and eventually give up. We'll see though. First prize is a cruise for two!

Happy Homework Thursday, dears. 

And Git er done.

xoxo

My life is full of crazy eyes.

As my Facebook friends might well know, I've been on a crazy cooking spree. I cook everything these days. Well, except for this weekend. I really just wanted to eat out as much as possible. No tedious labor for me, thanks! Right now, I'm waiting for my homemade potato salad to cool and the dryer to ding. Soon, David will start on the sloppy joes and we'll be enjoy yet another delicious meal. Yay teamwork. Here's some of the latest:

Filet mignon, potatoes, and onions

Bowties, broccoli, garlic, red pepper, parmesan cheese

Tomato, watermelon, mint, and feta cheese salad

Black beans, mango salsa, tuna steaks, avocado, and avocado vinaigrette tostadas

Paella (chorizo, chicken, shrimp, peppers, peas, and rice)

Pork chops and string beans, corn, squash, zucchini medley cooked in red wine

Yum, right? Feel free to take a "fat" break.

Having met few people in our area yet, I've been hard pressed to stay distracted from my long work week and the unavoidable exhaustion. So, I planned an awesome weekend for the two of us; beginning and ending with food. We managed to tear ourselves from food long enough to see a comedy show, the new Batman movie (epic--go see it), and shop til I got blisters on my feet. I'd say it was probably best weekend we've had since we've been here.

Andy and Sharon (David's dad and step-mom) will be here next week, and Kathy (David's mom) the week after. Just in time for all the birthdays coming up. David's rounding the big 2-7 (onward toward 30)! Mom and Crazy Eyes (see below) will be visiting in three weeks, too. We should have all of our furniture by then, so I'm pretty excited. We've finally picked out our sets, so stick around for those updates. It should be pretty awesome. No more lawn chairs in the living room!

He's never looking directly at you. Creepy.

Aside from that, I'm so ready to get everything settled so that we can get into an exercise routine. We've be able to do some things here and there, like racquetball tonight. It's falling into place, dears. Soon, our house will be furnished. Soon, we'll be on top of our healthy-life journey. It's all so exciting!

As always, thanks for reading.

xoxo