I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday.

So I've decided it's time to actually get serious about my fitness and my health. Not for "weight loss", exactly... that phrase implies that I could potentially "find" it again. Ha, okay- in all seriousness, I wasn't thinking long term and wanting results right away just isn't realistic with lifestyle goals. I don't want my kids eating foods with a bunch of preservatives and other (excuse me) crap in it!

So, I set a goal to only weigh myself once a week. I'm one of those crazy people who LOVES to see results and obsesses over "failure". Meaning if I have water weight or bloating and didn't actually gain weight, it -will- ruin my entire day. lol. The problem is that I'm using my wii fit plus again, and "she" insists I do a body test just about every day. I love being accountable and seeing when I go down.

It's never been a secret that I have a caffeine problem. Coca cola was my vice. I've now gone 10 days without it! I haven't lasted this long in a very, very long time. Just water and diet peach snapple... and this amazing blueberry pomegranate juice that's only 50 calories for an 8 oz glass and is loaded with pottassium. So I lost 4 lbs the first week, had a naughty weekend with my food choices at a movie and while we were busy (not binging, but just not healthy choices) and gained some back. So I weighed myself yesterday before spin class to see where I was at, and again this morning because class was VERY intense and then I made really good food choices. -7.5 lbs. uhhhh, I didn't believe it so I checked my other scale. Same number. Ahhhh! It was what I needed to keep going. I'm focusing on a healthier lifestyle for myself and my kiddos and just hoping that good results come with it. Once we run out of red meat, I'm going to try to cut it out (which is difficult, young kids and no beef?) I am really not a fan of ground turkey at all...I despise the texture, I hate how it feels raw. But, it's better than eating chicken every day and I doubt my kids will be able to tell the difference. Had lunch with the family on Friday before we went to the pumpkin patch and they had the flat, 100 calorie whole grain hamburger buns. SO good and not what I expected at all- think we might have to pick some of those up.

Long story short... I'm slowly cutting out the processed junk food and working towards a more healthy, natural lifestyle. There are more easily accessible natural grocery stores in TX too, which will help! Just waiting to find out where we'll be so I can search for a new gym home.

And I'm open for suggestions. Send me healthy recipes! Ideas on how to keep the kiddos active (besides indoor playtime at the gym) when it's freezing outside? I wish there were more indoor playgrounds in this town besides Mickey d's and the bounce house place- the only other option is driving a half hour.

For now, I'll be sticking to this:

#nostalgia.

Life is good.

Childhood is too short for me to not give them this happiness every single moment I can. I owe it to them to give them the best childhood they can possibly have. Realizing that Keg will be starting school next year is throwing me for a loop. How does it go so fast? I am already missing him. Imagine that. :) Life is short- even when kids are acting like monsters kids, even when it's tough- it's not time to be wasted. I'm not sure if I'm maturing, not sure if I'm just refusing to take my "job" for granted, but it's been an eye opening few weeks for me and my approach to parenting has changed greatly. We've always done things together, read stories, had our learning time, watched movies, etc. But I don't feel like I always enjoyed it the way I should. Or sometimes I'd be frustrated, tired, whatever and not take the time to really -realize- how truly amazing my kiddos are. They're smart and fun and creative. I don't just love them, I really like them as people too.

You have one chance to give your babies a happy childhood. Do it right, make it count. NO regrets. Once they're grown, they're grown and as I'm learning, you can't go back. I wish I could make my baby a boy a baby again (sometimes, and still potty trained, haha).

Feels like I snapped my fingers and we went from

Baby:

... to big boy.

And then we did it again, it went even faster.

Where do those babies go? I am loving their toddler years- watching them grow into their own personalities, develop differently. Sometimes I just want to hold them tight and demand that they stop growing up, just for a little while. :)

You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only option.

This is how we feel today. All 3 of us. I'm so grateful he's not in harm's way and that we had an entire month together. But it doesn't get easier with time. The stronger we become as a family, the harder it is to be apart. I feel so blessed with that- it was a great few weeks away.

So, tradition! We -did- get to go to the Pumpkin Patch. We did just about everything this year... pony and hay ride, pumpkin carving!

Last year, K wanted -nothing- to do with the inside of the pumpkin or the carving. Went a little bit like this:

THIS year went like this...

I think it was all the manly-man diggin in the dirt bonding time with his daddy. Either way, it was a blast with him!

Pumpkin carving with Em was like a flashback of K the year before. She looked at me like I'd completely betrayed her. Poor kiddo. Hopefully next year will be better, but because she's a girl... I won't hold my breath. After the "guts" were gone she came back around.

And the pumpkin patch itself:

Guess it was K's turn to close his eyes. I wanted this one as our family '11 pic!

K-monster took this!! We may have a future photographer. :)

It was an amazing family day. Looking forward to some fall fun with the kiddies- got some projects coming up. I am also excited for "The Lion King" on dvd and bluray tomorrow! I love sharing the classics I grew up with with my kids.

What're your favorite fall traditions?