It's Ok....

It's Ok....

-That I am slightly excited about buying tickets to Yo Gabba Gabba Live. If you have ever seen the show- it is creepy. Yet, there is something exciting about knowing how it is going to rock lil mans world to get to go!

-That the last two days- I have driven Hais to school and back in slippers. I have not left the house in 2 days other than that!

-To research tons of trips that I know are not at all realistic right now! I have my little heart set on Vegas. With everything happening- not gonna happen... eventually though!

-Be more excited than my kiddo about registering her for 10U softball this weekend! I cannot wait to sit out in the sunshine cheering at a softball field! I grew up on softball fields and I hope lil miss loves it just as much as I did!

-That I just figured out what I want to be when I grow up. Yeah, I am 33. Took me awhile to get here! Start my Masters next week!

-That I wanted to cry a little this am. Read on FB that a friend is officially cancer free. She started this journey a month after me and is already "all clear." I am totally happy for her but I am in the waiting game and it sucks!

-That sometimes I want to run away from home. I have little daydreams about buying an airline ticket and running away for a weekend! How fun would that be?

-That I want to repaint the entire house. We bought this house from Germany for many reasons, one being that we loved all the paint colors and would not have to do anything. It is all perfect neutrals. Well, I am pinning tons of awesome rooms on Pinterest, and they are all greys! I think hubby may kill me!!

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How Pinteresting!

Today I am linking up with Things Im Loving and Oh how Pinteresting!

Things I am loving today...

-Nothing on my schedule and I am curled up on the couch with laptop and the ability to roam all different blogs! Love blog hopping:)

-My sis is coming this weekend!!! She is working at Tufts in Boston and is flying out for a friends Super Bowl party here in town... so we get her for a day or so!! YAY!

-The hilarious videos I have seen lately regarding the Super Bowl... I shall share! I cannot get the video on here from one of them- but if you get a chance- go watch Mo Roccas video from Media Day interviews about the Players Passions- HILARIOUS!! Here is the other one!

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This dress is stunning. I think that razorbacks are super flattering on women... And these colors are

awesome!



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Such a reminder for me:)

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Or a snowy day- as it is here in Colorado!

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Seriously- why not??

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We are planning the layout of the backyard. This house needs no work but the backyard needs TONS of work. I love the stonework of this patio!

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Shoes all over are a pet peeve. We have the perfect spot out in the garage for this!!

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How adorable is this? I think it would be perfect fort he dogs!! I totally think Lee could build this...

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I send cards constantly! I seriously send out probably 2-3 a week. There is nothing better than a handwritten note. I love how this is addressed!!

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And to end on a fun note... how hilarious would this be on the spare bed? 

Long day- Palpitations- Snow day!

The last three days I have been an emotional wreck. Not sure why. Not sure I will ever really know the reasons why I have those days. I have had those days every once in awhile since my cancer diagnosis. I am sure some of it may be exhaustion, lack of a thyroid, stress from the diagnosis...

So- yesterday was nuts! I overscheduled myself. I knew it when I looked at the calender on Sunday afternoon. I contemplated changing some stuff or backing out on things. I know that I cannot do as much as I used to be able to.

My day started with a yoga class. I usually do yoga Tuesday nights at the Rec Center here in our neighborhood. I love the teacher and the workout. The teacher is also doing a 4 weeks class on Mondays. They are about 15 minutes longer than the Tuesday class.  Yesterday morning, after dropping Hais off at school, I had just enough time to run home and get things for the gym. I dropped C off at the child care cause it was at the Eat Rec Center and then had to drive to the West Rec Center for my class.

As soon as I finished class- I had to run and get gas- like BADLY. I pulled into the pump with my car showing 9 miles left til empty. I then ran to pick up C and we had to run some errands. Not a big deal but we also had to pick up a friend and her daughter at 12:40- I pulled into my house at 12:16! I showered, dressed, and got C and I out the door on time! Lunch was at Olive Garden. I met fantastic women! Including one that I have been chatting with for a few weeks who is also dealing with thyroid cancer. It was nice to chat with someone who gets it.

I got home from lunch at 3:15... just in time to head over and get Hais from school. We walked back in the door at 3:50 and back out the door at 4:10. I met up with Lee and switched out cars and kiddos. I met up with a new friend, Kathy and Michelle (from lunch). We headed to Denver for the Colorado Thyroid Cancer Survivors Support Group. Kathy has been awesome. She has been ahead of me on this journey and a great person for me to ask questions of.

The weather was awful. It started snowing about 10 minutes out of Colorado Springs. The support group was nice. There were 10 people there- including a friend I have met through the Thyca Site who is my age and also on this journey. It was nice to be surrounded by people dealing with this. As much as I feel I got great information- it was also overwhelming. Walking into that room- somehow makes me feel as though I was officially labeling myself as a cancer patient. Their was a Dr there that is part of the most amazing Thyroid Cancer team in the US. We got tons of information but I honestly felt overwhelmed.

I did not get home until 10:15.  I went straight to bed. Then this morning- I was woken up. I just felt off. A little nauseous and almost panic like. I knew immediately it was my heartrate. I went into the living room and took my pulse. 112 beat a minute. That is awful.  My resting heartrate is normally 65ish beats per minute. I laid on the couch- and tried to relax. I felt awful! Luckily- I feel normal again. I know that being super hyper can cause this. When you have thyroid cancer- they keep your TSH low to help suppress cancer growth. The levels they want you at is 0.1-0.5 ish. I am currently 0.05. So they lowered my meds and that should adjust. Yet- I am not sure that is the issue. I think I overdid it yesterday. I think last nights meeting stressed me out. Too much info and too much of a reality check.

I woke up though- to snow. Lots of it. Just what I needed!!! I love winter and snow is SO relaxing to me. It was the refresher I wanted and needed.

Tank Top Addiction!

I have recently had an addiction to cute workout tanks! I know more than anything- I want my arms to be in rockin shape... Drool over these with me!

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How can you not LOVE this shirt. If I saw this on someone in the gym- I would probably fall off the treadmill laughing! Then, ask where they got it!

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Cause I am a born and bread 49ers fan- and this is Super Bowl weekend!! Woohoo!

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And even though I go to the Rec Center to work out- I love this idea for random workouts throughout the day!!

Sunday Social!

    What is your ideal way to relax?  Sitting outside in a comfy porch chair with some of my favorite ladies drinking wine... one night of that and it works magic for weeks! Sadly- all my favorite ladies are too far away to do this often. So- realistically- music playing on the house speakers and sitting at the table with coffee and a magazine!

Where is your favorite place to be?  My best friends counter. Sitting on it. Drinking coffee- waiting to take her kiddos to school!

Who do you consider your biggest role model?  Picking 1 is tough. I love and look up to so many people in my life. My girlfriend T for her love of her family and her positive outlook on everything. Ande for her ability to get a long with everyone... my list could continue!

What does your life look like in three years?  I will be 2 1/2 yrs cancer free! Woohoo! I will be living in Colorado still and working (cause my Masters will be DONE)

If you could go back and change one decision, what would it be?  2 things- I would have moved to Reno with Brent and Am instead of staying back cause of a STUPID boy (live and learn right?) and have my thyroid checked earlier!

What is your biggest accomplishment in life thus far?  This list is tough. I have been a single momma through 3 deployments. I have lived in 5 states and 2 countries in the last decade. I guess my biggest accomplishment includes all that- being married nearly 13 years to an amazing man even though life has challenged us ALOT!

Doing a HAPPY DANCE

Sometimes life seems overwhelming and little things can make you sad.

This last week- one of those things was when I was filling out a form for a program my daughter wants to do and needed an emergency contact. I don't have a local one! If something happens and they cannot get ahold of Lee or I- Hais is outta luck apparently.

 

I know in like 5-6 months- there will be people here. I have a good friend moving here from Germany. Hais godparents are moving here shortly after. I think the bummer is- knowing that we are here in this amazing neighborhood and in four months haven't built those friendships yet... sort of tough after being a couple that makes friends easy...

 

Today I got an amazing text message. A dear dear dear friend is moving here in 6 months!! Like the type of friend that makes life better by being in your life. I am just over the moon.

 

This is probably the loneliest I have been in life... I know it is a phase and it will get better but little bits of happiness like this makes a world of a difference.

 

If my legs were not SO sore from my 5K this am- I would literally be dancing but for now I am chair dancing!!

 

 

Since I cannot stop smiling- I thought I would leave you with some things to make you smile!!

 

  

 



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This totally makes me laugh. I have too many friends who would do this- actually- so would my husband! (Pledge Allegience- not wear the flags!)

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Fitness Friday!

I'm blog hopping today! I am joining up with Noel over at High Heeled Mama. Anything fitness related is the topic today and it seems especially fitting for me...

  This mama knocked out a 5k this am. I actually got my lazy arse up and headed to the Neighborhood Rec Center. I checked little man into the childcare center and made my way to the treadmills.   Now- I knew I signed up for this virtual 5k. I follow Katie over at Runs for Cookies. I have followed Katie for awhile and find her mega inspiring. There are days that I do not want to run outside cause it is SOO cold- then I see her post about running outside in temps that I might DIE in. Anyhow- she turns 31 today and she figured- why not host a 5k (3.1 miles) on her 31st! You could sign up and even print off a Bib for the run!   Well, I signed up without really thinking about it. I haven't done anything lately and needed a push.   So, like I said, little man was at child care and I was in the cardio room. Then I realized a few things...   1. Forgot my water bottle. Boo! 2. The pants I was wearing- no beuno for running. For a good chunk of the run they were either SUPER hiked up (sorry for the view to anyone in the Zumba class in the room next to us) or I was running with 1 hand holding them up! Not a great situation either way!   I figured- I will push myself. I have run a 5k already this month. It was outside. Running outside is always easier for me. I could have run that today but honestly- I have a few more childcare passes already paid for this month that I need to use before they expire!lol   I pushed. Darn I pushed. I did some jogging. Some running. Some walking. I ranged in speed from 9:53 pace to 13:45 pace.

 Here is the Bib at the starting "line" lol

 All finished! 40:36 and 3.1 miles. I decided to take a picture so that I could post it to her site. I was pretty shaky and wiped out... so I did not realized I was actually video taping it...lol. So I had to take a picture of the end of the video with my iPad... silliness

I came home and was famished... I had another cup of coffee and then a cup of cottage cheese and 1/2 cup of pineapples. I love this breakfast!!! It always makes me feel satisfied and HAPPY:)

 

So- this made me realize that I need to get back out there and start running again. I may have slightly felt as though I was going to die at the end (honestly- throughout too).  I may have contemplated letting the treadmill run while I stood on the edges and played on my iPhone. Luckily- I am super stubborn and "needed" to do the entire thing. It made me realize I can do this.... and I will do it again.

 

I lost a ton of weight and three pant sizes last year while running and doing Weight Watchers. So- back at it I go. I have been signed back up with WW since Jan 1 but not really doing it. Today was that kick I needed!!

 

Thanks High Heeled Mama for this blog hop!

 

It's Ok...

Today I am going to link up with the fantastic Neely over at a Complete Waste of Makeup...

It's Ok...

-to spend hours shopping online, filling carts & baskets, to not buy a thing...
-to look at flights for trips that realistically are not going to happen (i.e. back to Germany for a visit)
-to spend hours watching Court TV... give me some Judge Judy, Divorce Court, Judge Mathis... and accomplish nothing...
-to play catch with your 2 yr old and "accidently" throw the plush ball at his head (sounds awful- the ball is UBER plush and he gets a kick out of it! I swear)
-to crave coffee ALL DAY LONG. I would have a nice warm cup in my hand all day if it did not equal a hot jittery mess of a momma!
-to be disappointed when I log into my blog roll call and there aren't any updated blogs... boo people! I need something to do. Entertain me people!
-to secretly want to up and move home to California and live with my best friend. I picture coffee in the morning together (yep- more coffee talk), hanging on the couch chatting, driving kiddos to school together, shopping, Bloody Marys at night... Obviously- we have 5 kids between the two of us- so most of this is not realistic on a daily basis. But my dad always tells me- they are my dreams- make them as big as you want! They're free!

Bring me Back to Germany...

Do you ever go through your old photo albums in Facebook?? I was looking for a picture tonight to send to a friend and while I was searching through some of the albums- I saw some pictures I haven't seen in a long while. It made me realize how much I miss Germany... I thought I would entertain you with pictures of some of the things that made Germany such an amazing place to live for over 4 years...

Let the show begin... In no particular order (other than the one that Blogger chose-lol)...

 

 

 Christmas Markets! Gluwhein (warm spiced wine), snow, yummy food, good friends... The second picture is of my favorite- Edinburgh Scotland...

 WINE nights!!! This was routine with my fantastic neighbor Melissa- who you will see in one of these pictures. These wine nights got us through the deployment! We would sit for hours outside on her patio and just talk... FYI- this fantastic glass holds an entire bottle of wine! WooHoo!

Our walks. Trails are everywhere. There is something so amazing about being able to go walking in fields where you are surrounded by nothing but green grass and sometimes- sheep!

SHEEP! The kids would get a kick out of this (honestly- so would I)

 

 

 I am a runner. So what could be better than running in awesome German towns?? This 6k was in the medieval walled city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. One of my favorite cities. It is along the Romantic Road in Bavaria and we were only about 25 minutes from it... In fact- this is the town my Godson was born in!!

 Traveling... Prague was only 3 hours away (my fav city ever). This square is where I sat on our last trip there- alone at 5:45am  in the quiet- a week and a half after my cancer diagnosis. I sat there in the sunlight and just watched and thought... it was perfect...

 Girl trips to Poland! This happened several times. This trip here was the first girl trip. 9 women. Lots of Polish Pottery. A cool little Polish hotel. A great exchange rate:)

On a seperate trip, this little lady over on the right->

She make look sweet and innocent... But is the perfect person to have with you when a jerky Polish guy wants you to pay him for cleaning your windshield while you are shopping- even though you did not ask him to. Lets just say that I sent her out there (mind you she was preggo) and I came out (after cowering inside like a wimp) to her telling him that we "liberated their asses" and him telling her to "go home stupid American." It was super hilarious and I think the other 8 of us were highly entertained. Did I mention this fantastic lady is my kiddos Godmother?? And I am her sons Godmother. Like seriously people. All official in the Church and stuff! lol

On a side note- we have been together since 2003. Fort Rucker Alabama. Fort Bragg North Carolina. Katterbach Germany. And they will be here in Fort Carson Colorado in about 7 months! Woohoo!

 Here is Mel. I promised you a picture and I am sure she will be thrilled I chose this one! We celebrated her thirtieth birthday in Nurnberg. We all dressed in 80's style and rode the train up there. We ate at one of my favorite places- Tapasitos- and had LOTS to drink... I miss Melissa tons! We were always together since we shared a duplex. Our daughters were super tight and our toddlers went to school together. We did everything together! Neighbors like that are special!

 

 Here are Hais and I in London. Such an amazing trip!

 German traditions and being lucky to be a part of it. This was the annual Lantern Walk in our little town. Every single town does it. The kids make lanterns at their schools and then everyone gets together and walks through the town- ending at a ceremony of sorts and food!

 I miss this house. We were the first tenants. I moved in while Lee was deployed. I brought Carter home for the first time to this house. I loved this house. I loved the neighbors. I look at that yard and picture my kids playing in the grass.

 Oh, these girls. It breaks my heart to see this picture and know that I do not get to see them daily. Lillianna (blondie in the middle) I have known since she was 2. The girls have celebrated every birthday together since then. This coming June will be L's first that we are not there. Anna (brunette) is Melissas daughter. She was at our house everyday. I love that little girl so much! This picture is from the last outing for the three of them together. We went to shop, eat and dye their hair. Yeah- I am that momma. You send your kiddos with me- I will put a stripe of color in their hair!! lol

 FESTS! Here is a pic of Lee and his cousin Alli when she came to visit.

 Euro Disney. We went 4 times! Once a year! How can you not? It was fun for everyone!

 Girl coffees. This particular coffee shop (backerei) got me through deployments! We would meet there and just relax for hours. Sometimes it was 10 of us- sometimes it was 2. We celebrated birthdays here. We found out about pregnancies. It was a special place.

 Sundays, I would go by myself. I would get up super early- and be there at like 7:45am. Then I would just sit. Sometimes I would read, plan out my week, or just people watch. It was my time. I looked forward to it every week. Haven't found a coffee place here that makes me that relaxed...

 Bowling league! This was sooo fun! We were 3 Hawks and a Hooker (Chinook helicopters are called Hookers- we had one Chinook wife and 3 Blackhawk Pilots wives). This night in particular we were playing our good friends and this was just a hilarious picture... Serious bowlers right?? All on our iPhones....

 A super fun event we went to- Ball der Vampire. In Heidelberg each year- they have this. It is super amazing and something I never imagined myself doing but I had SOOO much fun!

 Another pic of the backerei food... just cause you cannot have enough! lol

I shall leave you with that picture.

Oh and one more story... See those big bread rolls on the back wall? They are held up with baskets in this picture but they used to not be. A friend, who shall remain nameless for her protection, was sitting under one of those bad boys. It had molded and weakened. See where I am going? Lets just say- that moldy bread fell off the wall and smacked said friend right on the shoulder. Hilarious!