Eight Week Update

So it's been eight weeks since the new year. Eight little weeks of hard work and a super fun, new workout routine. Y'all. I have to say.... I'm HERE FOR IT:

I've lost a total of TEN INCHES since January 1st and I am not EVEN MAD ABOUT IT!!!! The scale said 155lbs this morning and I'm grinning from ear to ear. The scale really is just a number... but I haven't seen this number since my teens.

Those who say you can't have your pre-baby body back? WRONG.
Those who say you can't have curves and confidence? WRONG.
Those who say you don't have enough time in the day to workout with kids? WRONG.
Those who say you don't have the money to join a gym? YouTube is free. Jogging is free.
Those who say you can't be a Mom AND have a sexy bod? WRONG.

Hard work pays off. I am more confident than I've ever been. I am stronger than I've ever been. I am more content than I've ever been. I am more joyful than I've ever been. I am healthier and happier than I've ever been IN MY LIFE. Change is difficult. Hard. It hurts. It takes fierce determination. Grit. But the payoff is tremendous.

You can do it if you set your mind to it.
Onward!

Sunshine Sutton is TWO

This morning we celebrated our SUNSHINE Sutton and hosted all of her sweet friends (and mine!!) for a "Good Morning Sunshine" Breakfast. I seriously couldn't have asked for a sweeter, happier morning. Totally low-key and stress-free.

It was absolutely PERFECT!!!

I decided to set up her breakfast decor in our sunny (only fitting, right?!) breakfast area because I knew the light coming in would be perfect regardless of the weather- plus I have sunshine yellow chairs now! I decided to keep the table decor simple, and really, there wasn't any other decor in the house. It made setting up simple and really stress-free!

I got up early this morning and made funfetti "birthday cake" waffles into the cutest little birthday cake- and we feasted on waffles, Krispy Kreme donuts, and quiche. I love trying new recipes and made two new quiche recipes (ham, spinach and mozzarella & bacon and egg) yesterday, stuck them in the fridge overnight and then popped them into the oven to reheat this morning.

Honestly, out of all the parties I've thrown this goes down as the least work, and most easy-going. I'm learning a few things the older I get!  It was the sweetest morning celebrating the happiest, and most beautiful little girl!!

Sutton wore a sunshine yellow tutu, adorable Wildflower's knee socks and her pink "boops". She looked absolutely adorable - as did all of her little friends!!

My heart is so full. Sutton was surrounded by her sweet friends, and women who love her. I'm blessed to be Sutton's Momma. She fills our life with JOY and I am so thankful to be able to watch her grow and SHINE.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sutton Claire!

I love you more than words could ever possibly say. You are full of sunshine, happiness and joy. You bring happiness and light to everyone around you- including our little family. Your arrival completed us! I am blessed to be YOUR Momma!  Your favorite gift today was necklaces and bracelets- you were SO excited to find them inside the purse- watching you open your gifts and giggle WAS a gift. You carried the funfetti waffles around snacking on them, playing with your friends....it was the happiest of mornings celebrating everything you are. I love you, Sunshine.

Love, 

Momma

How does your garden grow?

This week my baby girl turns two. I’m letting that soak in. The last two years have zoomed past- as every Mother would surely tell you. I’m so thankful for Sutton- the joy she’s brought into our life- how girly she is. Sassy and funny. She loves to make us laugh- and she’s absolutely beautiful in every way. I am so blessed to be her Momma...and really truly thankful for the days I get to spend with her. Trying to soak every bit of her little-ness right in!!

My Little Valentine’s

Valentine's Babes Brunch

This past Saturday morning we hosted several of Jonah and Sutton's friends for a cute little Valentine's themed breakfast/brunch. It was totally impromptu and a wonderful way to celebrate LOVE day. The kids had a blast- as did the adults! Honestly I think I've discovered the best time for playdates and parties- early in the morning when everyone is happy.

Jeremy asked me to make waffles (he gifted me a double-waffle maker for Mother's Day a few years ago) so we had a fun waffle bar as well as sprinkle donuts for the kiddos. I came up with a strawberry passion-fruit punch (frozen passion-fruit punch concentrate, sprite, and pineapple juice with frozen strawberries in it) and the kids loved it.

It was such a happy morning and ALLLLL the kids were ready for a long nap when it was time to go home! Happy Valentine's Day-

I found the cute bingo game on the Target Dollar aisle! The cute heart place-mats are also from that same spot. Striped place-mats are The Royal Standard (place-mat pad, and I use these for EVERY holiday that has red in it!!!! SO VERSATILE!). I had the rest of the items on hand and just threw it together and made it festive and fun!!

Stronger. Fitter. Better.

A month ago I did a thing I've been wanting to do a LONG time.

I joined Humble First Baptist's "Fit for Christ"- women's bible study and workout group. It's basically like a big group gym workout and then we break into smaller groups to work through the bible study lessons. I was suuuuuper nervous walking into something that felt so new and unknown to me.

There are roughly 80 women in this class. I was so nervous on the first day! The class is led by a local trainer that owns a women's boot camp.  I had no idea what to expect of the workout, nor the bible-study. It felt totally outside of my comfort zone!! New place. New people. I pushed through, and went. And, y'all. I am having so much fun!!! I SO totally look forward to my Tuesday's now!!!!!

We're working through an entire amazing bible study (16 weeks!). The workout is from 9-10, and then we break into small-groups for the bible study until noon. Each small-group takes turn providing a healthy brunch for everyone. Isn't that so fun?! I am totally loving digging into the bible study, meeting new Momma's, and learning new healthy recipes (energy bites!!!). Tuesday is MY DAY. At the beginning of the year I made a point to make my fitness goals a priority and love being able to have this chunk of time to focus on myself. The church also offers free childcare for the class and it's absolutely wonderful- Sutton gets to play with kids her age.

The uncomfortableness I felt on day one was totally worth it. I am so glad I stepped outside of my normal. Feeling uncertain, walking into the unknown and often scary- that place where we take risks- I find that the payoff is SO GOOD. Real growth and change happen in those uncomfortable places. It's scary AND wonderful!

I encourage you to step outside of what you know and try something new you've been wanting to try! What do you have to lose? A couple hours of time? What if the outcome is amazing?!

So, here's to the new. The stronger version of Lindsay. The fitter. The healthier. The better.
I already LOVE HER!