Losing weight, I mean being more active, I mean doing fun stuff...

So I have tried to lose weight for the past 3+ years with minimal success. I have failed out of several programs including weight loss services, self started schemes, and DVD's. I do really well for the first month, some times even several months, but then I get sidetracked and de-motivated. I see a little bit of success and then slack off thinking it's all going to be downhill from here. Yeah, look where that's got me...10 pounds later...

So one motivator for me right now is joining the military lifestyle, not just the military, the MARINES, where everyone and their brother is in super shape. I don't want to be the fat one out. Plus while Jordan is gone at OCS getting super duper in shape and losing what little weight he had to lose, I'm sitting at home. How awesome would it be to show up for his graduation 5, 10, 15 pounds lighter? That's my goal. No guarantees it is going to happen, which is why I didn't tell anyone about it (except here), not even Jordan. So as far as he is concerned, I'm going to stay the same. I guess for me, I don't want to be the chubby spouse while Jordan is a muscle machine. Plus I can do it for the health benefits.

I am also trying to eat healthier. I was SO BAD over the holidays. I ate SO much crap food and did not work out once. Needless to say I gained like 5 pounds. So yeah, I'm gonna really try to make up for it and eat better. One of my biggest problems is that I over eat. I love food; too much, pretty much like every other American. I have all the tools to lose weight, I just have a hard time putting them into practice when my stomach is thinking instead of my brain. I go on a food rampage. I am so a perfect candidate for a reality show..."Steph finally loses some weight"...I can see it now...haha.

So yeah, here is to the next ditch effort to lose some baby fat. (Yeah, Hailey is almost 2 1/2)

10 things about Jordan...

So I saw this on Kristine's blog and thought I'd give it a go...

To list 10 things about my significant other...

1) He is extremely caring, but sometimes has a hard time recognizing when he needs to be caring...
2) He is really good with Hailey, he has way more energy to play with her than I could ever dream of
3) He is joining the Marines, as the day gets closer (Jan. 9th...gasp!) and I hear more about it, I admire him for it more and more, there is no way I could ever do it!
4) He has sacrificed so much for our family and I appreciate it very much!
5) Even though he shaved off his goatee for the Marines, he still wants to grow it back someday...I think he looks better without it
6) He works REALLY hard at whatever he does...this is why he will succeed in the Marines and anything else he does in life...his work ethic is way better than mine....
7) He doesn't get much sleep
8) He is really good at talking and meeting new people, I'm always glad when he's around in a social setting where I don't know anyone, then if the conversation dies, he will think of something to say
9) He is a loving husband and father, I seriously don't think I could have asked for anyone better, even though I may have thought differently in the past, he is perfect for me
10) I can't wait for what life brings with him and our little family and our treks around the US (maybe around the world?)

facebook

I'm considering re-joining Facebook. Even though I loathe social networking sites, I have being out of the loop...all the time. Plus when we move to Virginia, it would be a good way to keep in touch with many people in a fairly simple manner. I dunno, I keep going back and forth, but I think I might do it...

My Birthday! (and 2 other things)

So I guess I haven't said anything about my birthday and what we ended up doing...

So November 8th, I was going to have a bunch of people over to my house and then we were going to all go downtown, but only Jordan's sister Elin made it to the house. Jessica and Rachael met us down town, so total there was 5 of us (me, Jordan, Elin, Rachael, and Jessica). We started at The Lone Tree, which I had never been to before and Jordan Elin and I got there around 8:30 pm. We had dinner and waited for the twins. They got there around 9:30 pm, right when the free drinks for an hour started. They had to pay a cover charge, but since we got there early, we didn't have to, sweet! It was pretty entertaining there, think about it, free alcoholic drinks for an hour, plus a dance floor. It was fun to people watch. After The Lone Tree, we went to Solera, which was pretty boring. We had some drinks and appetizers and then Jessica and Rachael had to leave because they had to get up early for church. So then the 3 of us went to Gameworks and played some games up until about 1:30 am...I think. We pretty much stayed there until they almost closed. All in all it was a pretty fun night. I really enjoyed it because I don't get to go out and do adult activities like that very much because we have Hailey. But that's ok, we love Hailey and she's worth it! :) Oh, and I only got one picture from the whole night. I suck at taking pictures when we're out...ugh.

Here is a picture of Jessica and I at The Lone Tree...the only picture I got (((kicking myself in the butt)))

Speaking of Hailey, we went and got her bangs cut on my birthday too. I was so sick of her always having hair in her face, and she would never keep anything in her hair, so I just decided it was time for bangs.

Also, Jordan went down to Fort Snelling today and re-took his PFT (physical fitness test) and did much better!! He even did better than another guy who was there doing his PFT and he is going in January too! Yay for hard work! Yay for Jordan!

I'm not a coupon clipper...I saved how much?

So I used to be of the school of thought that clipping coupons is for psycho frugal stay-at-home moms. Needless to say, I never bothered with them. But today we went grocery shopping at Target and I noticed I had a $10 off $100 purchase at Target, I figured, what the heck, I have it and we're going. Then as we are checking out, Jordan noticed a few items that had coupons attached to the item...$.55 off each item! Sure, they are here and so are we, so we pulled them off. All in all, we saved $11.65, but it brought the bill down from $190 to about $178 or so. To me that seems like a lot! Maybe there is more to this coupon clipping business than I thought!

Pictures

Here is Hailey and I right before we went inside after trick-or-treating to about 8 houses...she was really tired...

Hailey and Jordan on to the next house!

The First house we visited

A close-up of Hailey's costume...everyone thought it was a bunny...it is a cat

Hailey in mommy's high-heels

Abortion

So I just got this email and watched the video. I've seen TONS of abortion videos, but nothing like this, I couldn't finish to the end. I don't understand how some people can be pro-choice, especially after seeing something like that. Maybe they just don't know the reality of it? The link to the video is below the message...

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What are we allowing to happen in this world!!!!! Abortion has become just another word in our vocabulary. This video reminded me of the murder it is. EVERYONE should be forced to watch it before they vote. I've seen lots of stuff about abortion, but I've NEVER been so affected more than this video affected me. Sorry in advance if this ruins your day. I promise it will make you want to pray for the grace of God on our country.


The following contains a graphic video clip about abortion. Please click on the 'in English and Spanish' bar under Mr. Verastegui's picture on the right. It isn't pretty, but I think it is very informative and therefore necessary. We all know someone who has had an abortion or is simply pro-choice. Please watch and become educated with the truth.

http://www.durarealidad.com/