Sunday, October 2, 2016

Happy October!

October has brought some new direction for our family. I have a job. A job that will be a good long term job! A job that will enable me to still be Mom, and Wife. I am so excited about it and feel that I can now plan some things in my life. This means I will have added income to our family. This means we are that much closer to a smooth transition of the hubby retiring from the military. It is a welcomed happy blessing in so many ways.

Here are a few goals that I want to accomplish in the future, near or far:

Complete an MBA program with Honors
Run another Half Marathon
Think about running another Marathon
Become completely debt free
Live debt free and bless others with the wealth God has blessed us with
Travel: Europe, India, Australia, Africa (not in any order)


Working full time is going to present the challenge of getting to the gym. I will have to make it a priority in order for it to happen. Either 4 am in the morning or after work (even harder than waking up early). So like I have seen I have to PICK MY HARD. I have a desk job, and my activity level will decrease. I will have to be vigilant with what I eat. I will have to be vigilant about getting my body moving.

Meanwhile my new job is going amazing for my children and their development in life. It is helping us establish ourselves in our new community. It will be the gateway to a life filled with community, neighbors, friends, and memories.

While my job is nothing that I thought I would do in my life. I see how the Lord has blessed me with EXACTLY what I needed for me and my family. Trust in the Lord. Pour your heart, desires, and heartaches to Him. He listens and will bless you. It may not be what you thought it would be, but know that He has your best interest in mind. That He knows the beginning to the End and He will guide and protect you if you have the Faith to Trust in Him.

Have a great week!

Muah ~
Natalie

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

What I'm Preparing Today (recipes)

Hey y'all,

I leave my house around 7 to take my kids to school. I do not get to the gym until around 8:30, yes I'm driving or waiting in carpool line that whole time :( . I use to like to do my workouts with just coffee, but getting up at 6 and then not eating until around 10 has not been working for me. I wanted something that had a good amount of protein and carbohydrate mix. Then I remember a fabulous recipe for "Power Muffins" I do not know where the original creator is, but I love these muffins, and the macro nutrients are exactly what I need for my on the go life currently.

POWER MUFFINS

2 CUPS OATS
2 SCOOPS OF YOUR FAVORITE PROTEIN POWDER
2 MEDIUM BANANAS
4 EGG WHITES
1 tsp BAKING SODA
1 tsp cinnamon
1TBSP VANILLA

BAKE FOR 15-20 MIN IN MUFFIN PAN. STORE IN AIRTIGHT CONTAINER IN FRIDGE, OR FREEZE. ENJOY!

Sunday, July 31, 2016

This weeks Dinners

Tomorrow is August 1st. The goal setting, perfectionist in me loves that tomorrow is a Monday as well as the beginning of the month. What a perfect way to set some fitness and nutrition goals to see a positive shift in my physique!!

Here is what is planned for dinner this week:

Monday: chicken with broccoli and mushrooms (egg noodles for the kids as well)
Tuesday: Turkey meatballs with zucchini noodles (rice for kids)
Wednesday: Stuffed portobello mushrooms
Thursday: Chicken soba noodles with vegetables (no noodles for me)
Friday: Burgers with cucumber dill salad (lettuce as bun for me)


I leave the weekends empty because anything can happen and we may be visiting the In-Laws or plan something later in the week that I can go shopping for closer to the weekend. Anyhow, when I make dinner I will be sure to make extra so there is leftovers for hubby's lunch. My lunches will be protein and veggies (salad or sweet potato usually). Breakfast is up to everyone else. I will most likely be having a protein shake for breakfast this week.

Last week I was having some knee pain, so I didn't get any running or long walks in. Today it is feeling fine, so I will reincorporate my 3 miles back into my days. I enjoy it and want to get my running built back up. The area is gorgeous around here and I am looking forward to having some alone time enjoying the view and putting some miles in.


Saturday, July 30, 2016

Life Changes Quickly

Restarting the blog. Since April we received news that my Mother-In-Law has stage 3 lung cancer. That news inspired us to put in paperwork to ask for a transfer to be closer to her. That paperwork was approved and we have just settled in our new home.

Moving means I'm no longer working. I will be full time stay at home Mom again, and I am not going to take it for granted this go round. I am have goals set for my fitness, my culinary desires, as well as, helping foster my children's spiritual, educational, and physical growth.

Moving also means more family time and doing things we love to do as a family. Like hunting, fishing, camping, and generally being outdoors.

I hope to get the kids into some sort of music lessons, like piano, and would like to see them in some sort of group sports. Basketball seems to be the sport of choice at the moment, so this fall we will be hitting the courts.

My April goals fell by the wayside, and really all my goals disappeared until we were settled in our new place. Now that we are here, I am excited to be working towards improvement.

Things I am very grateful for:
1)-Decluttering!!! Going through all of our stuff and removing the excess helped our move go so smoothly. It was easy to pack and it was easy to unpack. I will be forever grateful for the KonMarie method and what it has done for my household.

2)-Being financially secure. Hubby and I have been working hard the past few years to build up our savings and manage our finances better. We had money to move with and we have used the money the military paid us to pay off some debt. We are working on our debt snowball, but we have our emergency fund, and our 6 months of savings built. I should have a planned pathway for our debt snowball by September. It will be a marvelous day when we have no debt and our savings!!

3)-Testimony. My testimony is strong right now, and it was so important in knowing that this move was what the Lord wanted for us. It is important to know that you are walking the pathway the Lord wants for you. I know we are in the place we need to be at this moment.

4)- My husband! My husband blows my mind daily with his love, service, and his 'do it' attitude. He packed up our entire house, put it in a uhaul, drove us 600 miles, unloaded, unboxed, and set up the whole house with me in about 2 weeks time. He does everything in his power to make sure I am happy and the kids will be able to flourish. We are his priority and I am so so very grateful for him everyday!

Over the next few months I foresee some recipes, financial ideas, ladies night ideas, and of course fitness ideas. I am working everyday on loving where I live and being Glad.


Sunday, April 3, 2016

April Goals

My April goals:

1) Start building my base and increase my pace for half marathon training
2) Lift 4 times a week following the Simply Shredded program.
3) Journal and reflect daily
4) yoga on Sundays
5) Do not buy things I do not need. Stop the impulse buying.
6) Declutter and organize the house. Love the place I live.
7) Be continuously GLAD. Find the good in every situation.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Welcome!

I'm developing this blog to give me an outlet for all the things that I love and enjoy in life. A place where I can come and be inspired, and engage with you! I love feedback and conversation, so if you feel inclined, leave a comment.

Things I love:
My Heavenly Father-who provides everything for me and whom I serve daily.
My Family- who include those by blood and those who Heavenly Father has blessed my life with their friendship.
Fitness- I love lifting weights most, but there are so many other activities that I love as well.
Make-up- I have a deep love for makeup that starts from a very young age. There are plenty of great stories that go along with this.
Growing continuously- I love self improvement and finding ways to improve my life in every area. It may be financial, relationships, business, or anything else. I always have goals set on improving areas of my life.
Being Positive- One of my favorite movies is Pollyanna. If you haven't seen it, it's about a little orphan girl that finds the positive side to EVERYTHING.She transforms a small town because of her positive outlook. Life gives everyone lemons, but choosing to focus on the positive can help us deal with our challenges.

I look forward to how this develops and what it may become.