honest scrap

I'd like to thank my blogger buddy, Tina for nominating me for the Honest Scrap award! I didn't know much about it, so I Googled it first to find out what this award was all about and where it started. The idea is to share 10 honest things about yourself that your blog readers may not already know about you, and then pass the award on by nominating 7 other blogs that you find "brilliant in content or design". Sounds easy enough, right? The part about nominating 7 other blogs that I love does, but thinking up 10 new things about me?? Hmmm...

1. If you don't know me in person, then you may not be aware of my "awkwardness". I really am clumsy, and often find my own ways of doing things that are not exactly the most efficient. For example, at golf. I've managed to get comfortable with my own swing that looks really awkward! I think I'm going to get some golf lessons to correct it because I hate being awkward!

2. This kind of goes with #1, but I have the tenancy to to pronounce certain words wrong, and Josh loves to correct me! It's turned into a long-standing joke because all of a sudden I'll say a word that is a little off and he catches me. The latest words he's corrected me on are: indigestion (I pronounce it: in-te-ges-tion) and infuriate (I pronounce it: in-furie-ate), oh and one more is nomenclature (I used to pronounce it: norman-cla-ture)

3. I live in Florida now, but I was born and raised as a California Girl! I live in the San Francisco Bay Area for the first 23 years of my life. I love both places, and miss California at times, but I am definitely happy to be in Florida now.

4. I am a cat lover turned dog lover! Growing up I always had a cat, so I never had a doggie of my own until I met Josh. When we first got together we adopted Seven, and then last year we got the love of my life, Romie! (just kidding Seven, I love you TOO!) They are definitely more work than cats, but they reciprocate the love and are so much fun!

5. I require a lot of sleep! I always joked that I would never know when I am actually pregnant because I am always hungry and tired. I could easily sleep 10-12 hours a night, but of course my work and life won't allow for that, so I get by on 8 hours.

6. I enjoy watching just about all the stupid reality TV shows. They are so addicting! I have to admit, I love The Girls Next Door, 18 Kids, Kardashians, Hills, etc. You get the idea. Basically anything on E!, TLC, MTV or Discovery. I TiVo most of them, so I catch up on them when I can.

7. I have quite an extensive collection of purses. I call it a collection now, so I can justify my purchases. Actually, it's not even a purchase, it's an investment. :) I even loaned my first one out a few months ago because most of them just hang in my closet not getting much use.

8. I am very proud of the professional awards that I've received. Last year, I earned "Rookie of The Year" for sales, along with a few others. I have them displayed on my bookcase in my office and hanging on the wall.

9. I have a degree in Political Science with a focus on Public Affairs and Administration with a minor in Sociology and an Associates in Natural Science. It's a mouth full, but all it really means is that I lacked direction in college my first couple of years, then I found my main focus, which was Poly Sci. I figured I could do a lot with that, and I wouldn't be limited with career options.

10. The Jog Blog that I created has turned into more calorie counting versus actual jogging. I still have been able to meet my weight loss goals with just eating right, PIlates once a week, and occasional workouts. I'll post more about that later.

I'm tired now... time to pass the nominations off to some of my favorite blogs:

1. Allison's Balancing Act

2. Holly - Caring for Carleigh

3. Kelly's Korner

4. Sarah - Oh, the possibilities!

5. Sandra's Cochran Crew

6. Jenna's Nugget News

7. Cameron P's Page

memories

My sweet blogger friend, Nan, has a beautiful garden that she's planted in memory of her 3 Angel Babies ~ Shelby, Megan, and Lynne. Nan sent me this picture that she took Sunday of 4 new blooms that popped up that morning, just in time for our babies' 6 month anniversary. Thanks for thinking of us today, Nan! I love the picture!

Here are 2 more pictures that I've been meaning to share with you... Last month Ally and I went and got tattoos! I had been wanting to do something in memory of The Beans, so I finally decided on a small tattoo in their honor. I had to get something that I could easily conceal for work, so I got it on my ankle. I am so not the tattoo-type of person, but I am really happy with it and so glad I got it!

six months

Six months ago today, my babies were born and went to heaven.

I cannot believe it's been half a year already. At times, it feels like just yesterday, but at the same time, that night feels like ages ago. I'm feeling kind of weak and sick about the whole idea of my life continuing without them, but I have no other choice. Life just keeps on moving at the same pace, and I've just had to jump on go with the flow. It just seems like time needs to stop so that I can regroup and find my direction again.

I am a better person for knowing my children, and so grateful that I got the opportunity to have met them and know them a little. I am at total peace with knowing that they are in heaven and will always be perfect; never feeling any of the pain and suffering we feel here on earth. I know they are with God and our other family members that have passed. I'm even honored that God chose me to be their mommy. I have a feeling that that was a pretty big deal. It was in God's plan that Josh and I would have our 4 Green Beans, and they would be angels.

Nothing will take the sadness away, but I am OK with it all. It's just my life, and more good will come. I am hoping and praying that we'll have happy, healthy children one day (hopefully sooner than later). In the meantime, the waiting really hurts and I wish I knew WHY.

Over the past six months I've felt my grief evolve. Coping is overall easier for me now than it was during the first 3 months. So that's encouraging. I'm guessing the sadness and hurt will continue to evolve over time. I've been trying to shift my focus in life onto other things other than the babies, so that I can continue with my healing and fully get back to life. I am not going to cling onto every little anniversary that comes along for them. I don't think that is healthy for me to focus on those days. Today is an important milestone for me, so I wanted to point out the 6 month anniversary, and we also plan on celebrating The Beans in some way on their birthdays.

It doesn't have to be any particular day in order for me to remember The Beans. We've done so many things in their memory that I always have something to look at, or wear, or read that helps me remember them whenever I want.

she's crafty!

The other day I was at a meeting that was right across from a Goodwill Store, so I decided to drop in to see what kind of random stuff they have for sale. I was looking for a good chair that I could have re-upholstered to use in Josh's office, but I came across this small dresser instead. It looked pretty sad and was in need of some TLC, but it was still in good condition overall. I saw it's potential and it was only $25, so I bought it!

This past week, I started on my project to refinish this dresser and make it into something great! I purchased some high gloss black paint ($10), and some new hardware for the drawers ($9). I had all the painting supplies that I needed, and borrowed some polyurethane (the top coat) from Allison.

Each coat of paint took 2 days to fully dry because it was in my garage and it has been so humid lately. Once that was dry, I slapped on a coat of polyurethane, and then added the hardware. Josh found the perfect spot for it in our bedroom and it totally coordinates with our existing bedroom furniture!

The final product!

Not too shabby for a $44 project, huh?

weekend update

For the past 3 weekends, Josh and I have been working on our yard. No matter what time we head out there to start working, it is so unbearably HOT. It's ridiculous. Last weekend, I spent a total of 6 hours on yard work, and this weekend I put in another 3. I was adamant about taking Sunday OFF this weekend! I'm exhausted! According to my Lose It iPhone app, each hour spent on general yard work is 215 cals burned! A couple hours of that, and it's a really good work out, so it's all the working out I've been doing the past few weekends! Josh reminds me of this when he's trying to motivate me to go outside a work with him --Think of all the calories you will burn?!?

Josh has always taken good care of our lawns and landscaping, but now he's just plain OCD. Our house is located on the corner lot, so every car that enters the gates into our subdivision passes by us, so now he feels that we need to set the precedent of lawn up-keep for the rest of our neighborhood. I love that he takes pride in our neighborhood, but it's a lot of work (and money!). We've been to Home Depot at least once a weekend, filling up the back of my Murano with paver bricks, or bushes, or sod. One of our neighbors has already been instructed by his wife to go pick some pavers up for their lawn too! Maybe we'll start a trend!

The work we did yesterday was extremely hard because we were digging up all the mulch that the builder put down around the house and around each tree. Mulch always gets in the way when we mow the grass, so we bagged it all up and replaced it with new sod. Josh raked and shoveled the mulch as I bagged it all up and hauled it away. Then we loaded and unloaded the back of my car with almost 60 - yes 60, pieces of sod! My car was riding low with all the weight in the back, PLUS is was filthy!

Don't ask me why I was smiling here. I guess that's just my reaction to having a picture taken. Don't be fooled, I wasn't very happy here...

This picture does not do it justice! I was so filthy!

I wish I could say that this is the finished product, but I know it's not. Josh has big plans for our front and backyard, and I'm sure it will continue to evolve over the coming months.

Seven and Romie looking out their window by the front door. So cute!

After all that yard work, and without my weekend afternoon nap, we went out the comedy club with our neighbor friends. We had a great time, and the comedians were hilarious!

family fun!

The Hoffmann's drove their camper from Austin, TX to Florida for a visit this past week, and we all had the best time! We played at my parent's house, sat by the campfire, drove the golf cart many, many miles, had a sleepover at my house, went shopping with the girls, swam, and much more! I wish we could do this more often than once a year or so...

Avery enjoying her Lolo time :)

Claire and Avery celebrating their July Birthdays.

Me, Claire, and Hannah. They are getting so tall!

Neil watching a movie at the sleepover.

Ian playing with Hulk hands.

Seven looking exhausted after chasing the golf cart around.

Avery is a great dog walker! She knew just how to direct Seven around. Seven did whatever Avery told her to do!

healthy, delicious, and nutritious?

I forgot to mention easy too!

I'm talking about the Stuffed Peppers I made for dinner last night! I've made them before from a recipe, but this time I just winged it, and they turned out better than ever! I never write my recipes down, but this time I did because I want to be able to recreate this!

Thank goodness Josh took a TwitPic of it!

Here's all you do:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Brown 1lb. ground beef, add 1 medium white onion, 1 tbs. minced garlic, salt & pepper, 1 tbs. Worcheshire sauce, fresh basil, 1 jar of your favorite mariana sauce (I used Bertolli Olive & Garlic sauce this time - Buy 1 Get 1 Free at Publix!), 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, and about 1/2 cup of firmly cooked Orzo pasta. Just drain the pasta and add to meat sauce, mix everything together and fill 4 large bell peppers.
• Pop it in the oven for about 45 minuets and periodically add any additional sauce to the top of the baking peppers. Top with mozzarella cheese a few minuets before the baking is complete.

I am looking forward to having the leftovers for dinner tonight!