{Living in the Moment...July}

This week we finally accomplished something on our summer Bucket List. We made S'mores outside. Except we didn't. We toasted marshmallows though! No chocolate cause the girls don't eat or drink anything with milk in it. I'm cheating and using these as our final installment of Living in the Moment as well. I can't believe it's been a year already. I will link to all the other months below.

I truly did live in the moment during these pics. They aren't perfect. Far from it. I even turned on my ON CAMERA FLASH. The horror! I know! But it was so much fun and the marshmallows were delicious especially the on fire ones. ;)






























This year was a great experience for me.  It taught me to not care if there was too much grain and blur in my photos.  To not make my kid change his black socks and boat shoes.  It reminded me that the bikes and yoga mats could stay in the background.  And most importantly that the little one can be grumpy if she wants to be.  It's all about what's going on in that moment.  Thank you so much to Jude for including me on this wonderful journey.

Please go check out Susan's post for this month.

{September}
{October}
{November}
{December}
{January}
{February}
{March}
{April}
{May}
{June}
And then this is July.  :)

{Getting Healthy}

I've posted many "weight loss" posts here.  And do you know where they all got me?  Back up to 230 lbs.  And flip flopping with writing about losing weight and about accepting myself.  You know what? Enough already.

I do accept myself.  I love myself.  I am perfect.  But I am overweight.  But I don't need to "lose weight".  I need to "become healthier".  So that's what I'm doing.  I'm not going crazy and limiting myself to only eating lettuce and working out non stop.  That's bullshit.

Pardon my language.  Or not.  ;)

I've been utilizing four apps to help me make healthy choices.  They all link with at least one of the other ones so it makes it really easy to merge everything.

I have been using My Fitness Pal for 50 days.  I have logged in every single day for 50 days.  I don't believe I have gone over my calorie goal at all and if I did, it was at the very beginning.  I have it set up to lose one pound a week.  Nothing crazy.

I also bought a Fit Bit.  I was on the fence about it at first and wasn't sure if I was going to keep it.  I have my goals set at 10,000 steps and 5 miles a day.  I try to always make my step goal {it doesn't happen everyday} but I don't kill myself over the miles.  I know if I hit the 10,000 steps then it was a good day.

My exercise has been walking.  That's it.  I walk outside, at home with my walking video or at the gym on the treadmill.  No elliptical.  No crazy aerobics.  I still do the occasional zumba when I can because I love it so much but I think I've been to three classes in the last 50 days.  I use Run Keeper to track my walking outside and at the gym.  I'll also plug in the amount of "miles" I went at home when I do my video.



The last one I just started using is Gym Pact.  Melissa told me about this one.  This is a no brainer if you're already working out on a consistent basis.  You make a pact to work out a certain amount of times per week and if you do, you get paid.  If you don't, you pay.  Easy.

So, the results.  So far I have lost a little over 16 pounds.  I'm really happy with those 16 pounds.  I know if I was "stricter" with what I ate for my calories or if I pushed my self more in my workouts I'd lose more but I'm not in it strictly to lose weight.  I just want to be healthier.  And I need to do that in a way that makes me want to stick with it.  So slow and steady wins the race.  Right?



If you're on MFP and want to be friends, my username is ambc23.  Let's support each other!


It's really easy to get over 2 miles in a day when they look like this.  ;)

{kancamagus highway}

one of my most favorite places in the whole world is the kancamagus highway.  it's beautiful and peaceful.  i've been loving on it for years and years since i first went there in 1999 with my first husband.

you can read all about the kancamagus highway {here}.  this is an excerpt from their page....

"The Kancamagus Highway is a 34.5 mile scenic drive along NH's Rt. 112 in Northern New Hampshire that is well known as one of the best Fall Foliage viewing areas in the country. The Kancamagus Highway is now designated an American Scenic Byway for its rich history, aesthetic beauty and culture".



Lisa and I went to NH in March with friends. It was a great trip. Here are some of my favorite photos from the Kanc on this trip.  She always humors me and drives over either on the way in or the way out of North Conway.















Isn't she the cutest????!


We have a picture of us at this covered bridge for every time we've visited.






What is your favorite vacation place that's close to home?

{Learning to Tie His Shoes}

I'm a horrible blogger. In case you didn't know already. I'm so very behind on posting all the things. But oh well. Ian learned to tie his shoes. In JANUARY. He got it quickly. He's adorable. Here you go. You're welcome.

{Summer Bucket List?}

Remember when I was all excited to tell y'all about our Summer Bucket List??  We haven't done a single thing on it.  This summer has been weird.  I feel like the kids just got out of school.  Which they kind of did.  But they'll also be back before we know it.

I guess we need to get going on it.  Maybe we can get some things crossed off this weekend?  I swear this will be the shortest summer ever!

{My Heart is Flying Home}

My heart will be getting on a flight soon to come home to me.  It's been a very long 12 days.  Longer and harder than I thought it would be.  I'm glad to have her coming home but I'm also very happy that she got to have this experience.  I know career wise it was great for her.  But more than that, she made some great friends and had a lot of fun.  I know she's sad to leave them.

But she'll be here in seven hours and my heart couldn't be happier.

{photo via}

{their bedroom doors}

i really need to get my story posted here somewhere.  it would make our situation easier to understand.  someday i will.  for now, the abridged back story.  lisa and i have the kids 50% of the week.  their dad has them the other 50%.  it's really hard on everyone but what is also most fair for everyone.

one thing that i've found i catch myself doing is closing their bedroom doors.  not because of the mess, although that would be enough on it's own.  bailey's is always closed, but if it weren't i'd close his too.

i'm not sure what it is but i hate walking by and seeing it open and them not being in their.  i guess it makes me miss them more.  if that's even possible.  don't get me wrong, i've come to appreciate my time without them.  i get to spend time with lisa one on one and i also get time to myself.  both are precious to me.

that doesn't mean that a part of me isn't missing when they're not with us.  maybe that's why i shut the door.  to keep the heartbreak away just a little bit.

{This has been sitting in my posts for months and months and now my love is away on business.  She's been gone for ten days and my the kids have been here off and on but have been gone for four straight days.  It seems right to post it now because with her gone too all of these feelings are intensified.  Today, my heart is broken.  It's empty.  I'm lonely.  Luckily it's all coming to an end soon.  The kids will be home tonight and Lisa will be home tomorrow afternoon.  Then, the world will be right again and I can open these damn doors and get a draft going in here.  It's hot.  ;)}

{Beaching it with Inkyblack....Yes, Again}

We've met up with Carol twice now for beach days. They rock. I mean, our beach is just perfect but when Carol and family steps on it, it's like the heavens open up and all is right with the world. :) Also, we have a beach date with the great Carol again on Wed so expect more pics from us! I know you're excited.

In other news, my love comes home in two days. Just two more sleeps and she will be here again in my arms. I can't wait.









































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