AHH I just applied for my passport for my trip to Mexico in September! I am SO freakin' excited! I got all of the online information filled out and have an appointment set up for when I come home from Florida to get it certified and paid for!       I'm thrilled and feel so blessed that I'm able to do so much this year! I spent so many years cooped up inside not doing anything I loved or adventuring new places!       My sister and I also went out for the day and picked up some stuff for the upcoming trip (12 days!) And some odds and ends! We decided to splurge and get ourselves some Starbucks and Panda Express for dinner! It was a fun and blessed day out!       Now I'm off to go and get some things finalized and ready for tomorrow!       I hope you've all had a blessed Monday!       ALSO! Happy last day of FEB! XOXO 

     Today has been a full day of resting and recharging! I feel like I have so much to do before I head off to a tropical paradise for my birthday!        Some people think that magic only exists for kids!         I’m going to be 29 in 17 days.. I am going to Universal Studios because I LOVE how magical it feels to be in that environment! To most people, Disney is the most magical place on Earth, for me, it’s U.S! And i’m not ashamed of it one bit! The child in me will always be the most prominent part of my personality and if that ever changes, I want the people who know me and love me the most to remind me of who I am!         Anyway, I don’t want this post to be too heavy! I am just in full planning mode! This is going to be the first time I’m traveling for my birthday and I am SO, SO excited!         I will keep you all updated on the going’s on as usual and in the meantime...

I went over to my sisters house tonight for game night! It was also her 32nd birthday so that was fun! We have breakfast for dinner (pancakes, eggs, hash browns and bacon!) and I brought over an Oreo buttercream cake for dessert!  As always, it was a great night full of laughs and fun games!  I feel so blessed that I have such a good relationship with my sister and brother in law!  In other news, I am SO freakin' excited about my birthday trip to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS! We leave in 14 freakin' days!  I am waiting for some things in the mail for the special day and I am praying they get here in enough time! Custom stuff usually takes a little longer but i've got my fingers crossed!  Anyway, I hope you're all having blessed weekends!  XOXO 

     Okay! This one is kind of out there! But if you stick with me the reward is freakin’ delicious!      A snack that tastes like a snickers without being a candy bar. Here’s how it goes! Pitted dates Chocolate ( I used milk chocolate from #lilyschocolate ) Crunchy peanut butter (or smooth if you’d rather) Peanuts for topping Sugar free caramel (optional) Coconut oil      Fill each date with peanut butter (however much it can take without being overstuffed!)      Melt your chocolate with some coconut oil in it!      Dip your peanut butter filled dates in your chocolate!      Top with optional sugar free caramel!      Top with crushed peanuts and then pop them in the freezer to set! And enjoy!      These are SO delicious! and only around 25 calories each!      I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS EASY AND FAST RECIPE!      Also, sorry I yelled that l...

Cook with me for the day!    Asian Chicken Salad with Cabbage and Mandarin Oranges:   Sauce:    1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar 1 tablespoon terryaki or hoisen sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1/2 tablespoon honey 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil 1/2 tablespoon of ginger 1/2 teaspoon of garlic A sprinkle of sesame seeds 1 sprig of green onion   Onto the salad:   1.5 cups of cabbage (I used already shredded bag kind, I’m not fancy) 1 cup of shredded lettuce 1/2 cup of Mandarin oranges, drained! 1/2 package of crushed ramen noodles (throw out the seasoning! 4-6 oz of cooked chicken breast! 2-4 tablespoons of slivered or sliced almonds 1 mini cucumber        Build it however you like to build your salads! Then top with your homemade dressing!         This salad is so easy and SO delicious! I hope you’ll give it a try!         I hope you’re all having blessed weeks with minimal snowfa...

     I was going to share something really cool with you guys today, but my collab partner and I ran out of time and didn ’t get to finish! So now I have to wait at least 2 weeks to meet back up with him so we can get it completed and it’s gonna have to be longer than that, because I booked a freakin’ birthday trip to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS and I leave in 17 DAYS!!! I AM PUMPED!!        Even though I’m bummed about the project today, I am THRILLED with where we’re at! It’s turning out absolutely beautiful! I cannot wait to share it with you guys!       Sometimes we don't always get what we want, but being grateful for what we do have is so, so important!         Anyway, I am exhausted from a really, really long day! So I am going to relax and get energized up for whatever tomorrow brings!         I hope you’ve had a blessed day!    XOXO 

     Sometimes I get a wild crafting hair up my butt and I drop whatever I ’m doing and craft.         Today It was, sewing leather goods. Why? I’m not entirely sure!        But I had a thought, whenever I go to Aldi’s, I have to dig and scurry for a freakin’ quarter! It seems to be the ONLY time I NEVER have one available.         So I decided I was going to make a cute little keychain that will hold my quarter that way I’m never without one!  They're not perfect, but they're fun and convenient!         It took me a minute to get back into the swing of sewing, I’m self taught. I didn’t read any books, blogs, watch any videos or ask any friends. I just bought the machine and did the damn thing.         There were a lot of cuss words in the beginning (and some in the middle!) damnit, I swear all the time!         But non...

     Happy Monday, friends!          I love taco bell, don’t come at me, it’s trash and not at all resembles real Mexican food...I know.         But I wanted to come up with a low calorie and a lowish carb version of my favorite...the crunchwrap! So good, but SO bad for you!         Today I made 2 crunchwraps for 724 calories. A traditional one is 510 EACH!         How? Choose calorie and carb smart tortilla options, lettuce and tomato are virtually no calories, choose low calorie queso, salsa and use LEAN BEEF! OR blackbeans in place of the beef! Light sour cream OR greek yogurt! And the hardshell inside is pretty standard in calories but aren’t awful for you!        YASSSSS ! I am satisfied with it! I mean, I know there’s better out there, but when I’m craving trash food, I take great comfort in knowing I can have what I want without breaking the calor...

     Sunday. A day of rest, worship, reflection, preparation and whatever else that you need to do to center yourself for the week ahead.          For me, today I used the day to catch up on sleep, journal and think about all of the things that I AM so, so grateful for!         It’s really easy to let yourself become bitter and angry about things that you don’t have, things that didn’t work out and things that are just completely out of your control. I’m SO guilty of this. Embarrassingly so, I know that it’s not a me thing, its a human thing!         It’s exhausting always feeling the weight of other peoples anger and disappointment in me. But one thing that i’ve learned about myself is that mindfulness, mental health and just plain old health is a journey and it is NOT my responsibility to carry the weight of other peoples thoughts and hatred towards me.         It only ma...

     Not being able to share exiting things with an important person in your life is honestly one of the hardest things.        Let me preface this by saying I love this person, a whole lot. She just has a really hard time seeing past herself sometimes. If she’s miserable, everyone has to be miserable.         I wish that it were different but it isn’t and I know that it probably will never change.        Most parents want their children to grow, be successful, have good things happen to them and always root for them, no matter what. This particular person, doesn’t seem to want to witness any of those things.         This isn’t all the time, it’s normally only when it inconveniences her, makes her mad, jealous or upset that she finds issue in your actions. To which I have to add is 97% of the time. The other 3% she’s happy for you, rooting for you and or completely un-phased by you....

     I'm going to my sisters house tonight for a game night and dinner!        I am still disappointed in yesterday, but it is what it is! Those who want to be in my life will make the effort and those who don’t want that will continue being dicks and they’ll eventually fade.         There are no other major updates!         I am definitely ready for a change! So stay tuned to see what I do! I’d tell you what they are but they’re still a mystery to me too!        Happy Friday!    XOXO 

     Do you ever have expectations and then when those expectations get absolutely obliterated, you don ’t even know how to act?!      I feel like I should be able to talk to my mom about anything and today, when I tried to tell her my exciting news, do you know what she did?        She rolled her eyes at me then proceeded to fight with me.         Which, remember how we were just talking about expectations?         My expectations of this conversation weren’t great...because I’ve been her daughter 100% of my life and yet...I still had a small sliver of hope in me that she’d just be supportive and happy for me.         I deserve more. I am there for EVERYONE. I go out of my way to do kind things for people, buy people just because presents and make sure they know I’m thinking about them.        Do you know what people for me to say thank you or...

     I am SO excited! I went and put down a deposit for the rest of 1/2 sleeve today! YAY! My appointment is for Wednesday at noon! I am so freakin' happy! I've been wanting to finish it since the day I got the first 1/2 of it! I have to send over my ideas for the rest of it and I thought, "What better way to send over my ideas than to draw them out!"       Which, this is a really rough sketch of what I am looking for! I know, Jesse (my artist!) will pick up what I'm laying down and kill it for me!       Here's what I came up with: (Don't judge me too harshly!)       Anyway, after I went in and made my appointment, we went and did a little bit more shopping and got some odds and ends that we decided we needed! Snagged some dinner on the way home and then came home and created the picture above! Now I am going to dye my own hair (because WHY NOT?!) and then relax for the rest of the night!  XOXO 

     My sister and I decided that it had been a long time since we went out and splurged on dinner, Starbucks and a little frivolous shopping! SO today, we did just that! We went and shopped for whatever we wanted! (our consciences were still there, we didn ’t go completely crazy!)        I got a new purse and wallet, we got 30% off v-day candy, Starbs, kitchen stuff, chopsticks (don’t ask!) and a bunch of other random things!         The BEST THING?!?! I FINALLY got the JUMBO MEMORY FOAM (51 pounds!) LOUNGER CHAIR that I’ve been wanting FOREVER! But was never willing to drop 150$ on one.         Today? Today I found one on sale for 99.99. I was already sort of sold on it BUT, upon checking out, the cashier said, “oh these items are currently 20% off, that’s cool!”        So I said, “Is everything 20% off, because there’s a lounger chair that I want really bad over there but can’t ju...

       A little, before and after L💖VE!      It’s been awhile but I’m very much still on my weight loss, healthy living and mindfulness journey! I have been losing weight/maintaining for two years now!      I’m healthier, happier and I no longer am weighed down by the negativity of others! This is the best Valentine’s I’ve had in a long time!      No more late night candy binges and that sinking depressed feeling of shame when I’m done!      I’ve never had a healthier relationship with food before!      I’m feeling so proud of myself! Not giving up on myself has been the best choice I could have ever made.     I hope you've all had an excellent day, celebrating love! (You should be celebrating it every single day!) Since today IS just a hallmark holiday! And tomorrow is never promised! XOXO

     I have loved these past few days with the kiddos, but I am so ready to sleep in my own bed and be in my own space! I ’m exhausted! My babes have endless energy and I, a 28 year old do not have endless energy!         I don’t think that I will be leaving my bed for the next 24 hours! Which is SO exciting! I plan on binging 2 Broke Girls, eating, napping and sipping on cocoa in my favorite elastic pants and oldest holey tee!         YIKES! I am really starting to show my age! Don’t judge! 28...29 next month (BARF!)        I am really trying to build a life for myself. Everyone keeps telling me I need to go back to school and get my teaching credentials... I’m already mostly there...but, I think that’s a terrible idea! I swear, have 0 patience and kids tend to find me more amusing than they do a, “person in power” figure ... I am not that girl. Trust me! Once a class clown, always a class clown. ...

     Yeah, today is much worse pain wise! I'm alive and mostly well though, so I can't really complain! I had a few wedges and blocks done and I am hoping that by tomorrow, my jaw starts to loosen back up! Because that currently is the worst of it right now!        Life with TMJ is... well it freakin' blows! If you know, you know! If you don't...you're lucky as hell!      My teeth are still sensitive to cold and hot! Which is annoying. Food is either cold or hot, there’s really no in between! I’ve been downing protein shakes like it’s my job, because I am trying to not fall so far down the rabbit hole with my weight loss journey!         I haven’t been eating enough, which in weight loss is a problem! I should be eating around 1600-1900 calories a day and I haven’t been anywhere near that in weeks!         So I am trying to do better eating wise. My stomach has just been a hot freakin’ me...

     I ’m headed off to my brothers house to watch the kids while they go for a mini weekend getaway before the new baby is born.       They have dogs... good thing my nephew is old enough to take care of them or else we’d be in trouble. I don’t do dogs. Cats are fine, dogs, I don’t dislike them, so don’t come for me! They’re just gross. They leave hair everywhere, the lick you all the time and they’re just all around gross.         Yup... I said what I said!       I am excited to hangout with the kids though, it's been awhile since we've had a few nights to ourselves!         Today I am feeling like an extra LARGE pile of dog shit! I had the remainder of my work done yesterday at the dentist and I am definitely feeling it today! It’s always the worst on day 2 and 3. so I am not looking forward to that.         I haven’t eaten a normal meal in over a month be...

     Today was my dads birthday! And every single year, I have he and my mom over for dinner (for each of their birthdays!) for dinner, cake and presents!        But I like to make each of them unique and fun, so I pick a new theme every year. They ’re usually children themed, but I like to keep them young!          This year, for dad, I chose Spider-man! We had homemade chicken and dumplings and strawberry ice cream crunch cake! It’s my favorite tradition! It’s the least I can do for them every year!         With that being said, I had my final dentist appointment early this morning where I had the remainder of the work done that I needed. It was a BRUTAL one, I had to have wedges and blocks and I am in a world of hurt as of right now. I can’t wait to be able to take more Tylenol!         I also need a seriously gigantic NAP. Because I feel exhausted!       ...

     First full day of being home and let me tell you how it went:        Step one: Don’t leave the bed, unless you have to pee.        Step two: Ignore every phone call (Unless it’s your dentist reminding you of an appointment tomorrow....F@*K!) I almost forgot.        Step 3: Order something in for dinner because the mere thought of cooking makes me wanna passout.         Step 4: Remind myself that I am a little dramatic.        Step 5: Reminisce on how much fun I had followed by whine because my 90 year old limbs are killing me!        Step 6: ME STILL IN BED AT 6PM! ABSOLUTELY NO REGRETS!         This is a sign of a successful trip! But also, i’m excessively tired, I’m starting to show my age...😅😬        We won’t talk about that! I’m going to eat some dinner and mentally prepare myself for an early ...

The OG's!       We're home from an excellent long weekend at the Great Wolf Lodge! We spent most of our days in the water park! Breathing in chlorine air and  running rampant, sharing laughs, inside jokes, stories, eating all the food and playing games!       The best part was watching all of my sweet kiddos run around, protecting one another and creating all the memories together! These are memories that they'll carry into adulthood with them and reminisce on for years to come.       Our parent's really created something special here. Beyond the cost of the weekend, how much we all spent hails in comparison to what we all gained. We slowed down, spent real time with one another and had time to really reconnect and be in the moment.       We truly are a blessed family! (Don't get it twisted, we still bicker like family too! We aren't perfect or unflawed!) But we love each other and protect one anot...

     Water park mania! I absolutely love watching my 7 babies off having a blast! That ’s probably the best part about coming here! Watching my 7 (almost 8) little hearts running around, smiling, laughing and enjoying their lives.         The world is absolutely crazy and it makes me so sad that they’re living in a world that seems so messed up and broken. I don’t ever want them to think that masks are normal or that robbing people at gunpoint is just apart of life. I want them to keep finding all the joy that comes from life! I want them to see the beauty in the everyday since not a single day is promised, I want them to know how lucky they are to have such a big, loving family who would be there to help them out of anything!         The world needs more love. I’m tired of the hate!         Anyway, I am off to watch my babies laugh and make memories with each other that’ll last a lifetime!  ...

     We ’re here! 💖      This morning we left and had ourselves a nice little convoy! Every family has their own radio and throughout the entire trip, we always joke back and forth and communicate, it’s always a riot.           We stopped on the way at the Cracker Barrel for lunch! And then headed to the lodge!       We arrived earlier than check in and so we basically just headed straight to the water park so we could wait for our check in time!      I think we’re going to head out and find something good for dinner!  All in all, it’s been a good day! I am blessed to have this family!  💓      I’m still feeling a bit off, but I am grateful nonetheless!   XOXO

     Tomorrow is the day! The mighty 17 (i ’m working on coming up with a better name for us, but this is all I have right now) is headed to The Great Wolf Lodge! If you’ve been following along, you know that my parents do this every year for the 17 of us for Christmas!         We’re going to head out earlyish in the morning, stop for some lunch and then head to the lodge and basically drop our things and head to the water park! And that’s basically where we’ll be for the remainder of the trip! Except when all the kids are doing the quest adventures around the lodge!         As an update: I’d been feeling pretty alright for the last few days. Last night, I started to get really nauseated, but I didn’t sleep great. Fast forward to today and I still don’t feel great. Just nauseated and unsettled. I took my prescription Zofran and that’s helped some, but can’t wait until I can take my next dose. I haven’t been sleeping great ...