Very long but fulfilling day

Trick or Treating later tonight?! 

Our office is closing an hour early, so I'm going to get home quick, so we can head out for just a little bit of door hopping for some candy.  A 2 year old loses interest quickly, especially when going up to people she doesn't know! 

Yesterday, started SUPER DUPER early for me and Ava.  Monday afternoon sometime after I saw her for lunch she had a horribly runny nose and when I got home she could barely breath and eat at the same time. 

She slept with us Monday night and had a fitful night of sleep.  At 2:30AM, yep you read that right, Ava and I got up and went to the bonus room and I turned on Netflix and she watched Dora while I read on my Kindle. 

We played and I cleaned and we were chatting and all of a sudden I looked over and she was zonked. 

She slept in this position for almost 4 hours.  I called and rescheduled my hair appt to tomorrow and the playdate with my college roommate and her boys to another day and I thought, "I might as well lay down too."  Yea that didn't last long.  My mind was racing, so I got up and got a ton of stuff done around the house that I have been meaning to do, but haven't. 

She woke up and we played some and then I decided to check out the old Achilles and try to run.  I had no mileage in mind, since I wasn't sure I would be able to run.  5 miles later, I decided to get off!  I had a SMALL amount of "discomfort" I guess, so I am thrilled!  I love to run!

Clint got home and we lounged around and Clint played with Ava.  After catching up on a few shows that were DVR'ed, I started supper while Clint had some daddy/Ava time and he gave her a bath.

Ava wanted these corn dogs from Trader Joe's

She loved them.  I took a little bite and they were really good!  Success!

Clint and I were having hormone free boneless porkchops

oven roasted butternut squash, red potatoes and onions.

Fantastic, healthy and simple!!

After supper, Ava and I had "manicures"!

She is showing off her nails!

She is so funny.  She ran around not touching anything for like 20 minutes.  Even after I told her her nails were dry. 

and a picture "just because"!

It was a very long day, but I felt very accomplished!  

No workout for me this morning.  My body and my husband told me to sleep that extra hour.  I'm fairly certain that was a good decision!!

Have a great day!

Be safe!

See ya soon!!!

The weekend went by so fast!

Monday? Already?! 
Sheesh, weekends go by way too fast!!!

Friday, Clint and Ava came in to the office and got adjusted.  Clint comes about ever 2 weeks and Ava get adjusted ever 3-4 weeks.

I am a HUGE advocate in having yourself and your kids adjusted!  Chiropractic is SOOO much more than a back problem!!

Saturday morning we all got up and I decided since I felt ok, I would do a test run to see how the Achilles was healing up.  I got about 1.5 miles in and called it quits.  My Achilles was aggravated and I didn't want to continue to put strain on it.  I got of the t-mill and did a sweaty bodyrock and a 2 minute plank after.

Whew, I needed a shower!

After the shower, Clint made us protein green smoothies and I put peanut butter and Trader Joe's pumpkin butter on one of the last pieces of my homemade sourdough bread. YUM!!

Every year my mother in law's work does trick or treating so we drove up to Bowling Green to visit and trick or treat. 

It was Clint's year to pick Ava's costume, since last year I picked

this monkey costume! She was the cutest thing!

This year since we have a huge fascination with the

she is a Zombie.  Clint cut up and "'bloodied" a Princess sweatshirt last week and I got some face makeup to finish the ensemble.

She was NOT having Clint put that make up on her.  No maam.  She didn't like it one bit!  We aren't forcing her.  So her face was clean as she trick or treated.

Clint's mom, brother and our niece who was Minnie Mouse.

"dirty" sweatshirt

totally scared of this wolf with a shawl on.  He creeped ME out!!

After trick or treating, they played the balloon game.  I don't care if you are 2 to 60, the balloon never gets old!  If it comes near you, you HAVE to hit it!

Trying on sunglasses!

A picture of me, to prove I was there! haha

We headed home after a while and got in our jammies when we got home and settled in for the night.  Alabama football was coming on!!

2 peas in a pod watching the game!!

Sunday, I decided to rest my body completely.  We got ready and went to church.

Putting puzzles together in church service.

Sunday school was really good! We are reading "ScreamFree Parenting" and a quote that really stood out to me was "don't ask God to take away the burden from your back, but to ask Him to strengthen your back."  Such a great way to refocus life's struggles. 

Lunch was at my uncle's house and he had made "regular" chili and white chicken chili.  It was the perfect lunch!  After a quick trip home to drop off Clint and pick up some things at the grocery, Ava and I picked up my aunt and met my mom and sis to throw a bridal shower for a bride that the groom attends our church. 

We finally got home and I got to put mine and Ava's jammies on.  I put sourdough bread in the bread machine to get to going and we him-hawed around and scrounged up some supper.  It was a Y.O.Y.O night (you're on your own!).

Dance party in the kitchen while getting supper ready.  Don't you love her outfit.  I love self expression! haha

We decided to have supper in the living room last night and she wanted to keep her hat on.  No problem for us! haha

I did get up this morning and did a bodyrock workout before having to get ready.  It's not a run, but it is a good solid workout to get me going for the day! 

Well, I need to get some work done!  Have a great day!

I'll see ya soon!

Randomness brings joy!

Well, hello there!  It is FRIDAY!  WHOO HOO!

I pray that EVERYONE has a fantastic day!  I woke up to Clint's alarm going off at quarter to 5.  This might not sound like this is a bad thing, but for me to work out, get me ready and Ava ready I need to be and at em at 3:45am.  So I didn't get to do any exercise this morning. =/ But I am chalking it up to my body needing the extra rest....right?! 

Yesterday, Ava and I got up and I did some house chores and Ava had breakfast and then we went on a little walk in the beautiful morning sunshine!

About a quarter mile in to our walk Ava wanted to walk and put Piper in the stroller so SHE could push her.  Well, ok.  No problem, but when a 2 year old is not tall enough to see over the stroller it is hard for her to go STRAIGHT!  She was driving that thing all over the place!  Good thing we live on a street with barely any traffic! 

We cut it short when she wanted me to hold her.  Can I just tell you that hold a toddler, pushing a stroller and containing a 60lb puppy is NO easy feat!! 

We got back to the house and got ready to go on some errands. 

I needed to go by the Credit Union for some business and that was annoying to me.  Out of the 4 ladies working in that office, not ONE knew what was going on and they shuffled me all over the place passing the buck on each other, until FINALLY I was told I was going to have to WAIT to do my business.  Thanks for wasting my time and gas!

We left there and headed to TARGET!  Love this place!  The thing to do in Target is shop the clearance sections on the end caps!  They have fantastic deals!  I got a box of VUE Kcups for under $6!  They are usually like $10.79!  SCORE!

I picked up a few other random odds and ends, we went down the toy and PRINCESS aisle and we checked out. 

Ava might be the only kid I know that can be let loose in the toy aisles and when we tell her it is time to go, we leave.  No whining, no tantrum throwing.  We just walk away!

CVS was up next.  They have Xtra laundry detergent for $1.49 this week. I had a $1.50 on my CVS card, so I went to use it up!  4 bottles of laundry detergent for under $5!  Don't mind if I do!!!

We headed home and Clint got home shortly after.  We were going to my parent's house for supper and we had a little time to work out in the yard. 

I love this picture of Ava and I!  We were sitting on the front porch!

While Clint got on the lawnmower to cut up some leaves, I got to play with the blower to pile them together so he could cut them up.

This was fun!

I got a lot accomplished!  Holy leaves! This was only midway through my blowing them frenzy.

I will tell ya, my lats are SOOOO sore this morning from holding that bad boy for 30+ minutes straight! Who knew it would be such a workout!

Supper was tacos at my parent's house and they were yummy!

We got home kinda early because my parents eat on the early bird schedule and lounged around and watched Gray's Anatomy and Scandal. Super good shows!!

I will leave you with some good worths of truth....

"You are fearfully and wonderfully made..."

Psalm 139:14

Y'all have a great day and a fantastic weekend!  I am sure some early Halloween shinanogins will be taking place.  Be safe and have fun!

See ya soon!

Tuesday = fan-flippin-tastic

Wednesday Wednesday!

I hope all is well on this middle day of the work week for you!!

Yesterday was a great day!  I don't know about you, but I so enjoy where I am super productive and feel like an awesome SAHM and WIFE!!

Yesterday, was one of those days!!

My achilles is still bothering me, so I tested it out on the treadmill and quickly failed that test.  Well, since I can't run I just decided to do a bodyrock workout and it did not disappoint!

I cleaned the house and hung 2 loads of laundry out to dry.

I showered and got Ava and I ready for some grocery shopping.

I had my plan of attack down, 2 week's worth of groceries to get was the plan, my coupons together, and my awesome kid in tow and off we went.

Kroger and Trader Joe's were our errands for the day.  Did you know Kroger has it's own line of Organic, hormone free, no flavorings brand of foods now!?! 

Holy toledo, super excited!  Plus they send you coupons!  EVEN BETTER, YO!

When the cashier rang up all of my stuff it totaled

$121.25!  Way over my budget!

BUT with coupons and my Kroger Plus Savings the total went down to $66.82!!

I was super excited!!

Ava at the checkout doing the "many faces of Ava"!

Trader Joe's was up next!!

I pretty much knew I wanted to get all of the proteins for 2 weeks here and wanted to stay under $50.

 

Ava brought "Piper" with us in the store and was pointing out all of the guitars on the wall.  All of them!

Ava was hungry and a well prepared mama pulled a Clif Z bar out of her purse for this cute kid!

My total for this trip from Trader Joe's was $50.12!  Heck yes!

So for 2 week's worth of groceries that are healthy, organic and under budget, I say I did an pretty fantastic job.

Is that candy I see?  Well, yes!  I didn't say that EVERYTHING was healthy!  But I would say 90% is!

We got home a few minutes before Clint did and shortly there after we went to early

I encourage everyone to vote!  It is such a priviledge!  Plus if you don't vote, you don't get to proclaim your opinion if your person of choice wasn't elected!

(just my $.02)

I don't know if you get the Sunday paper, but this past Sunday, Walmart's ad had a 2 page spread of recipes and how much they would cost per serving.  We tried the Chicken Tetrazzini from the ad last night and Oh M GEE!!! It was fan-flippin-tastic!!

TEMPTING TETRAZZINI CASSEROLE

GO HERE FOR RECIPE

I made Beer Bread from online, I'll have to find the source so I can give credit to where it is due!

Supper was fantastic! 

I cleaned up the kitchen while Clint gave Ava a bath and then we went up to the bonus room to finish the night watching some tv. 

Here is a picture from last week's Building a bear, err dog just because she is so cute.

Oh quick plug for some spiritual goodness!  She Reads Truth is doing the study of Philipians and although I have read it before, this study has already opened my eyes to what joy Paul had even in Prison!  So if you need some goodies for the soul and mind, go look at the site!  I pray you will be as blessed as I have been already!

Weekend in review

Ugh....Monday! This weekend went by too fast for me!!

Saturday morning, I decided to lounge a bit and run later that afternoon.  We were meeting Clint's dad and fiance at Cracker Barrel for lunch and I wanted all my energy for that event!!!

If you don't know what Cracker Barrel is, then let me enlighten you.  They have southern country breakfast, lunch and supper foods ALL DAY LONG!!! 

Buttery mouth watering biscuits and many other mouth watering foods!

They also have the peg board game where the goal is to jump each peg and only have one left at the end!  It is a mind puzzle for sure!  Ava was playing her own game with them.

She wasn't in the best of moods for Pops and Linda, but we still had a good time seeing them!

We came home and lounged some more and then got up to go outside.  Clint needed to cut the leaves in the yard, so I grabbed Pekka and put Ava in her stroller and we went on a neighborhood run.  Which is NOT an easy feat when you have a 50+lb puppy and a stroller.  After Pekka calmed down some, it was a pretty good run.  Clint was finishing up when we came back, so I went upstairs to finish my run on the treadmill while he worked out in the garage and Ava played in her house.

Supper was an easy but tasty tuna salad and one of these bad boys.

Pumpkin Ale and it was tasty.  While I was pumping gas, Clint ran into the gas station and made a "pick your own" 6 pack and he got this one for me.  I am a "one and done" person, a light weight.  I think the last alcohol I had was in June!  In college, that was a different story! 

Alabama played UT and I read on my Kindle, while Clint watched the game and Ava watched Elmo on the portable DVD player in her tent!  Clint is so creative!!  She loved it!

I got up and ran 8 miles Sunday morning.  It was a great run except the last mile and a half and my Achilles started acting up.  We all got ready and headed out to church.  We picked Ava up a toddler Bible on Saturday before Cracker Barrel and she was in church reading it.  Who is a proud mama?  THIS GIRL!

Lunch was at my aunt and uncle's house and then we went and lounged most of the afternoon.  I love lounging and playing with Clint and Ava.  Makes for special moments!!

I got up and ran about a mile this morning and stopped because of my angry Achilles.  I decided to do Bodyrock instead and it has been about 3 weeks since I did one of these workouts.  Boy, I could tell!  I am going to jump back into those regularly.  12 minutes of intense exercise will get ANYONE winded!

As soon as I got to work, I got adjusted and my boss adjusted my ankles and rolled my Achilles.  Painful, but my Achilles already feels better!

I hope y'all have a great day and I'll see ya soon!

Build a Bear, errr dog

Friday, Friday!

I am ready for the weekend! Yesterday, was a fun filled day!  I woke up and got some coffee and got Ava up and breakfast for her.  I was ready to run!  But this run took a little longer than normal.  Ava wanted to "run" about 7 times.  (The "pause" button on the treadmill is a great thing when you are a mama.)  I had to go to the bathroom 2 times. Ava wanted to watch something different on Netflix.  Alas, I got 6 miles done in under 54 minutes.  Success!  Even if it did take me an hour and 20 minutes haha!

We got ready for the day and headed to the office to do my bimonthly cleaning.  I had done a few things on Wednesday while at work, so I was done in about and hour and a half!

I packed up and we headed to Old Time Pottery.  (Ava got a good nap on the way!)  Old Time Pottery is FULL of home decor, kitchen accessories, flower arrangements, everything you need for your house basically.  I had a little over $5 on a gift card and Pekka, our 7 month old lab mix needed a new bed pillow and collar.  Oh, and I needed a door hangy thingy for the front door for my Fall wreath I made!

We were meeting Clint at 2:30 and we had a little over an hour and a half to kill.  I knew I needed to grocery shop for some things and may be hit up Kmart to see if they had a toy for Ava for Christmas we have been scouting out. 

We headed to Kroger.  We got some organic bars, yogurt, almond/coconut milk for Ava, oranges, apples, and a few other things that I had coupons for.

Don't you hate killing time in the grocery.....I DON'T!  I love grocery shopping! 

We were headed to Kmart, but I saw a Bank of America and made a quick stop there.  I have an account as a minor there and we want to cancel that account and put the money in a savings account for Ava.  I had no idea how to go about that, so we went in to see.  I will have to bring my mom with me to cancel it, since it is in her name.  But now I know the steps to closing it!

Yay! A savings account!

Apples for snacks going to meet Clint.

We met Clint at Opry Mills Mall.  It has been renovated and updated since the big flood in May of 2010 and has some good stores in it.  Under Armour was having 50% off the clearance shorts, shirts and sports bras.  I got a pair of running shorts and sports bra and Clint got a couple pair of shorts for $28!  Score!  I think I'll put mine in the Christmas stash and save them for then.

I needed to see an old friend.  She did not disappoint.

Then it was the a surprise for Ava.  Friends gave Ava a Build A Bear gift card for her birthday in July.  Why not use it now?!  We went in and had NO idea what to do!  It was a little overwhelming!  But we finally figured it out. 

We are EXCITED!  Me more than anyone!

1. Pick a bear or dog in our case.

2. Give it a voice. (we skipped this one)

3. Stuff it.  (an employee does this and then you get to put a heart in it!  adorable!)

4. Dress it.  You get to pick the clothes, accessories, shoes, whatever you want to put on your bear/dog.  We let Ava pick the outfit and she did great!  It is funny because the outfit fits Ava's personality.  You put it in the "dressing room" and put the clothes on your dog/bear.  Clint dressed the dog, while I snapped pictures.

Let's see.....

Picking the clothes....

Daddy dressing the dog...

A big big hug!!!

5. Name it.  You go to the computer and put in your child's info.  I let Ava help and push the buttons and then you name the new friend.  Ava picked a brown dog and we used to have a brown dog named, Ginger.  Ginger fit perfectly and Ava could say her name!  She gets a birthday and birth certificate that is printed out at the check out desk.

6. Take her home. (well you pay for it and they put her in her house to carry out)

Hi, Ginger!

We stopped at the Aquarium restaurant tanks to look at the fish on the way out! Ava didn't want to leave.

We got home and lounged for a bit until we got around to eating.  We had a spaghetti squash that we needed to eat, so Clint put that into the oven.  He put some chicken strips in the oven for him and I wanted the leftover pulled pork from the other night.  I had a great idea and put the pork in the half of the squash and poured some barbecue sauce on it all!  It was fabulous.  Ava even stopped eating her food and ended up eating some of mine!  Love that she loves spaghetti squash.

Ended the night with some DVR'ed The Voice, Scandal, and MTV'S the Challenge(guilty pleasure).

Such a fantastic day!!!

Y'all have a good Friday and I'll see ya soon!