Memorial Day Weekend

 

 

 

We had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend this year! The best part was Josh not having to work on Monday and Papa Art coming out to visit! We did a lot of fun things and Austin kept all of us on our toes. His teething pains have been awful and he has been one miserable little monster (poor baby). He refused to sleep or take naps basically the entire weekend and we were surprised at how much will power that little stinker has! How he didn't pass out is beyond me....

 

Exploring the local Farmers Market

We gave Austin a strawberry and in seconds he was wearing it and asking for more!

Josh and Grandpa eating tacos

 

Yummy strawberry :)

Love that cheesy strawberry covered smile!

 

 

Yummy BBQ

Austin was perfectly content to sit on Grandpa's lap and watch Dad work his magic with the BBQ.

The Grill Master himself :)

 

 

Pool Day

Grandpa loved swimming with the little man

Rehydrating with Mom



A day well spent!

 

 

Trying out a new Lebanese restaurant nearby

We are now hooked! It was by far the best Mediterranean food we have ever had! 

Even Austin liked it! His favorite was the pita bread.

Austin attempting to steal all the pita bread for himself.

 

**We also went to the Fiesta Casino and hit up the buffet, but forgot to take pictures. That's always the first request from Grandpa when he comes into town. You can't experience the true awesomeness of Vegas without gaining 10lbs at your favorite buffet, that's just Vegas 101. 

 

Relaxing after our fun filled weekend

After Grandpa had gone home, we spent the rest of Memorial Day relaxing. Having fun is exhausting! Our house is a disaster and Austin is beyond tired, but I felt so happy and satisfied with life at this moment. I love watching Josh take care of Austin, I love watching reruns of The Office, and the eggs & toast were the perfect simple meal to top off our awesome weekend.

 

What a Crazy Morning!

I had just laid Austin down for his morning nap and was beginning to go about my daily chores when there was a sudden explosion of mixed sounds. It was seriously so loud that my first thought was a bomb had gone off! I instantly thought of my baby and if that sound could have been anywhere near his room because it literally sounded like it had happened inside the house! Then I heard the car horn that was blaring without stopping and my second thought became, oh my gosh, there was a car accident and someone's head is laying on that steering wheel!

I instantly jumped into nurse mode and ran out the door to find a sight of blood, smoke, and twisted metal directly in front of our house! I went straight for the car that had the blaring horn to find an unconscious white male in a black Mustang. I assessed the situation and realized that there was gas leaking all over the pavement from this car and saw smoke coming from the hood. This car looked like it was going to blow up! I'm not going to lie, my first thought was of my baby and I almost left this man there in the car because I couldn't bare the thought of my son being raised without his mother. But then I knew I could never live with myself if I didn't do something to help him. So I opened the car door, unbuckled his seat belt, and basically started yelling at him to wake him up. Once he came to, I told him what was going on and that I needed to get him out of the car because there is gas leaking and who knows what will happen next! He was triple my size and was extremely unstable but I got him to the sidewalk where he collapsed. I was hoping he'd be able to make it further than that because we still weren't very far from the car but I figured that would just have to do. I got him assessed and stabilized and then ran over to the other car.

It was a white truck that had thrown all the Mexican construction workers that were piled into it out of the car when it rolled multiple times down the street. Their equipment that was piled in there with them was scattered all over the road and I couldn't believe that there weren't any fatalities! It was seriously a miracle. I had a harder time with these guys because only one of them spoke English and they all had head injuries so they were all really loopy and doing crazy things. I had my work cut out for me just trying to get them to lay down, or even sit down for that matter! That's all we needed was for someone to get up and pass out, causing further injuries. All around me was blood and people moaning. I kept looking around for help to arrive but it seriously took almost 15 minutes for a cop to even show up! What made it even more annoying was he showed up alone and was just wandering around asking stupid questions like, "What towing company do you go through?" Seriously?! This guy can't even remember his own name and you think he is going to spout off the name of a towing company?! I was not impressed..... AT...... ALL.....

Meanwhile, neighbors were all congregating around me and asking what they could do to help. #911 had already been called and since nobody else had any medical experience, all I could do was send them off to get water bottles and blankets to cushion the heads of the head injury victims. Where the heck were the Paramedics?!!

Finally a fire truck arrived, followed by one ambulance. REALLY?! ONE AMBULANCE? I specifically remember the person making the phone call to #911 stating that there were multiple people with serious injuries. Again, I was not impressed at all. I got so irritated while I watched those paramedics from that one ambulance slowly pull out their gurney and laugh/joke around while they slowly made their way up to the scene. I remember looking at the neighbor next to me and saying, "God forbid anything happens to me or my family if this is the way Henderson responds to emergencies!" On a side note, my sister has worked as an EMT and for the Fire Department and she told me that is very unusual and she can't believe they were "dicking around like that." Her words, not mine ;).  

Once the paramedics decided to come take over they told us all to go back to the sidewalk and basically get out of their way. From there I talked with the neighbors and watched the clean up process begin. Of course, once things were being taken care of, three other police cars arrived. A little late guys....

So that's my story! It was so exhilarating and I was shaking from all the adrenaline (and still am)! It made me miss working sooooooo much. I miss taking charge in crazy situations and that high of confidence that suddenly flows through me. I went back to my quiet house and checked on my sleeping baby and felt grateful for the knowledge I possess to help in a horrific situation like that! Now I just pray that all the victims are okay and will be released from the hospital soon.

Cleansing My World

Okay, so my last post was on the depressing side. I'm not going to lie and say that I take it all back and I don't still feel those conflicts of interest in my mind, but what I will say is I have decided to do something about it! Happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy in any situation. So it's time to stop grumbling and feeling sorry for myself and start making the proactive choice to be happy! I did quit my job for a reason, right? So why am I mourning the loss of something that made me so unhappy?!

 Man learns through experience, and the spiritual path is full of different kinds of experiences. He will encounter many difficulties and obstacles, and they are the very experiences he needs to encourage and complete the cleansing process.

-Sai Baba

I came upon this quote and felt it perfectly explains what I have been thinking all morning. I want to choose to be happy and begin cleansing my mind, body, and spirit. That, in turn, will cleanse the world around me because I am the direct dictator of my surroundings.

The definition for the word cleanse is to rid (a person, place, or thing) of something seen as unpleasant, unwanted, or defiling. How many things in our lives match that persona? I have decided to simplify my world and rid my body and spirit of these things.

Week 1

This week I am starting off with my diet! I was complaining about gaining weight since I quit my job and it makes me feel irritated with myself when I look in the mirror or when I put on my clothes. I know I'm not obese and I don't have 100 pounds to lose, but I still want to feel comfortable in my own skin. I want to feel at peace with my body. I hate using numbers but this is more for myself than anyone else so I am putting it on here to give me a goal to work towards.

*I am 5' 6'' tall. On March 1, the day I quit my job, I was 115lbs and felt I was right where I wanted to be scale-wise and just in need of some toning up. Today is May 19th and I weighed myself this morning at 123lbs and don't feel comfortable wearing jeans unless I have a baggy shirt to cover up the muffin top. In my body's defense, I had a baby 10 months ago via C-section and with all the stretching that happens when you try to fit a mini-human into your body, my stomach will never be flat and rock solid like I want it. However, there is definitely something that can be done about those love handles!

I had a coworker in Utah who introduced me to the Sacred Heart Cleanse and after thinking about it for a while, I've decided I am going to do it this week! Here's the disclaimer, you are not allowed to have processed sugars/carbs. This is extremely difficult for me and I remember the last time I attempted this cleanse, I only lasted three days.... but not this time! Also, in the cleanse guidelines it states that in the 7 days you are cleansing you can lose up to 17lbs! That is all based on your BMI and how much you weighed before you started. Basically, the heavier you are, the more you will lose. I remember losing three pounds in the three days last time so who knows what I could have achieved if I would have actually stuck to it! I will update you next week on how it went and the progress that was made. Even if I don't lose weight, I am doing this to rid my body of the toxins I pollute it with, and to get my carbohydrate addiction under control! It's pretty bad....

In case you want to try the cleanse with me, here it is! Let me know how it goes for you!

This 7-day eating plan can be used as often as you like. If correctly followed, it will clean out your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. After only 7 days of this process, you will begin to feel lighter by at least 10 pounds and possibly 17 pounds, and experience an abundance of energy.

 

SOUP: 1 or 2 cans of stewed tomatoes

3 plus large green onions

1 large can of beef broth (no fat)

  1 pkg. Lipton Soup mix (chicken noodle)

1 bunch of celery

  2 cans green beans

2 lbs. Carrots

2 Green Peppers

Season with salt, pepper curry, parsley, if desired, or bouillon, hot or Worcestershire sauce. Cut veggies in small to medium pieces. Cover with water. Boil fast for 10 minutes. Reduce to simmer and continue to cook until veggies are tender.

 

This is what the soup looks like, and yes, it tastes as yummy as it looks!

This soup can be eaten anytime you are hungry during the week. Eat as much as you want, whenever you want. This soup will not add calories. The more you eat, the more you will lose. You may want to fill a thermos in the morning if you will be away during the day.

DRINKS: Unsweetened juices

Tea (also herbal)

Coffee

Cranberry juice

Skim milk

Water, water, water

DAY ONE:
Any fruit (except bananas). Cantaloupes and watermelon are lower in calories than most other fruits. Eat only soup and fruit today.

DAY TWO:
All vegetables. Eat until you are stuffed with fresh raw, cooked or canned veggies. Try to eat green leafy veggies and stay away from dry beans, peas or corn. Eat veggies along with the soup. At dinnertime tonight reward yourself with a big baked potato and butter. Don't eat any fruits through today.

DAY THREE:
Eat all the soup, fruit and veggies you want. Do not have a baked potato. If you have eaten as above for three days and not cheated, you should find that you have lost 5-7 pounds.

DAY FOUR:
Bananas and skim milk: Eat at least 3 bananas and drink as much milk as you can today, along with the soup. Bananas are high in calories and carbohydrates, as is the milk but on this particular day, your body will need the potassium and carbs. Proteins and calcium to lessen the cravings for sweets.

DAY FIVE:
Beef and tomatoes: you may have 10 to 20 ounces of beef and a can of tomatoes, or as many as 6 tomatoes on this day. Eat the soup at least once today.

DAY SIX:
Beef and veggies, eat to your heart's content of the beef and veggies today. You can even have 2-3 steaks if you like with green leafy veggies but no baked potato. Be sure to eat the soup at least once today.

DAY SEVEN:
Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice and veggies, again, be sure to stuff yourself and eat the soup. You can add cooked veggies to your rice if you wish.

By the end of the 7th day, if you have not cheated on this diet, you should have lost 10 to 17 pounds. If you have lost more than 17 pounds, stay off the diet for two days before resuming the diet again. This diet is fast. The secret lies within the principle that you will burn more calories than you take in. It will flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. This diet does not lend itself to drinking any alcoholic beverages at any time. Because of the fat build-up in your system. Go off the diet at least 14 hours before any intake of alcohol. Due to the variety of digestive systems in individuals, this diet will affect everyone differently. After day three, you will have more energy than when you began, if you do not cheat. After being on the diet for several days, you will find that your bowel movements have changed. Eat a cup of bran or fiber. Although you can have black coffee with this diet, you may find that you don't need caffeine after the third day. The basic fat burning soup can be eaten anytime you feel hungry during the seven days. Eat as much as you wish. Remember the more you eat, the more you will lose. You can eat broiled, boiled or baked chicken instead of the beef. Absolutely no skin on the chicken. If you prefer, you can substitute broiled fish for the beef on only one of the beef days. You need the high protein in the beef for the other days. Continue on the diet as long as you wish and feel the difference both mentally and physically. DO NOT - DO NOT No bread, alcohol, carbonated drinks (including diet drinks). Remember, absolutely no fried foods. DO - DO - DO - DO Drink plenty - at least 6 to 8 glasses - of water a day, as well as any combination of the following beverages: black coffee, unsweetened fruit drinks, cranberry juice and skim milk

Breakfast! Not as amazing as Cap'n Crunch, but it was still pretty good ;).

I am learning that it is very important for me to get out of the house and do something for myself each day so I don't go stir crazy. So to add to this week's diet, I will be going to the gym every day, even if it's just to walk on the treadmill for a while! After all, "Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't shoot their husbands :)."     -Elle Woods

Wish me luck!

Funk

Funk, Mommy blues, depression, low day, whatever you want to call it... I've had it. It has been a "I want to kill everyone in my path" kind of weekend.

Why? Who knows! Maybe it's hormones. Maybe it's boredom. Maybe It's me feeling insecure and down about myself which is something I feel a lot. Actually, now that I am pondering this, I think it is a combination of all of the above.

I feel insecure about my body and the weight that I have been gaining since I started staying at home with Austin. I feel insecure about who I am now that I don't have my job to define me and give me worth. I feel unsure about the decision I made to quit my job and constantly feel guilty that I'm not "pulling my own weight" in the financial department. I feel the pressure and fear that I will lose all my skills and won't ever be able to get another job again. Let's face it, the longer you go without a job, the harder it is to find a job. I feel irritated because I try so hard to keep a clean house and then the day my neighbor wants to come over to "see how I decorated" is the day Austin made a major mess and I had to tell her this isn't a good day. To add to that, I feel frustrated that I have a college degree and I am spending my days wiping up poop, cleaning bathrooms, sweeping, vacuuming, etc. and I am getting zero dollars for it!

Those are just a few things on my mind lately and whenever Ashly feels stressed or conflicted, she gets mean. And who knows that better than my husband? (sorry Josh)

Basically the poor guy can't do anything right when I am in this mode. I criticize, I pick apart, and I feel the urge to smack him in the head with a baseball bat (which I would never actually do of course) every time he opens up his mouth.

Am I horrible? Am I the most awful wife in the world? Maybe.

Am I the most lucky girl in the world to have such a wonderful husband who is loving and sweet to me no matter what flies out of my mouth (most of the time)? Duh!

This afternoon, after establishing that I was being a mega swear word, we figured it was time to get me out of the house and get some love from the sun by the pool. It's amazing the world of difference that made! Not only did I start smiling, I was laughing again! It was as if every ounce of UV light I soaked in was like a happy pill for my soul. I had so much fun watching my baby splash in the water and really enjoyed the much needed adult interaction I got from being social with the neighbors.

So maybe I just needed to get out of the house? The mind of a woman is a great mystery so lets not even bother with the psychoanalysis.

Thank you Heavenly Father for the beautiful day you gave us to enjoy, and thank you Josh for all your love. What would I do without you?

Heading out for a swim

So grateful for my loved ones, especially this little one.

None of this seemed to phase Austin (thank goodness). I am so jealous of his innocence and perfection. This is the kind of day he was having:

Milestones: 10 Months Old

How can I say no to that face?!

My dearest Austin, today you are 10 months old and I am struggling to not lock you up in your room and keep you there for the rest of the day. Keep in mind, it is only 9:00 am! You are teething again (right now you have 4) and have been soooooo grumpy in the mornings (and up all night) this past week! I have been trying to keep up with the Tylenol/Motrin and numbing gel for your mouth but you are still hurting and that leads to extreme clinginess, lots of whining, and you have started throwing your first temper tantrums! You literally yell at me in your own little alien language and all I can do is laugh at you because it sounds so funny :).

This is how Mom keeps her sanity while you are taking a nap.

Two days ago you attempted to walk for the first time! Your Daddy was sitting on the floor and you were standing/holding onto the couch across from him when suddenly you decided to let go and take a step towards him! We both got so excited and spent the rest of the night trying to get you to do it again and again and again. We were all laughing so hard, including you! Every time you took a few steps and fell into our arms you would giggle and give loves. I'm sure you will be walking any day now.

You've experienced daycare for the first time this past month at the gym while Mom gets a workout in. You have done really well and seem to only cry when another baby gets too close to you. I guess that is a sign that I need to get you around other kids more often....

You like to bite and it hurts! We have been trying to tell you no and be stern with you because the child that bites doesn't get invited to play-dates, and usually gets kicked out of daycare. You only go to the gym daycare a couple hours a week, but that is one luxury I am not willing to part with! So you better play your cards well son or you are going to have one grumpy Mama....

You are constantly talking and screaming all day long. The screaming is out of happiness and it is really cute, except when we are in the car and you are threatening to burst our eardrums. I can't say enough about how cute your voice is when you do your super fast alien talk. I wish I could capture it on video but you always stop before I get the chance.

You like it when we sit on the floor and read to you. You like to listen and then grab the book and mimic us. It makes me so excited to see you learn that way! If we whisper, you whisper. If we speak strong and commandingly, you do the same! Dad has fun with this by getting you to whisper "Dada, Dada, Dada" and it literally sounds like you are chanting. You then go around the house chanting and your dad tells me he can't wait to have more little worshipers ;).

You love to go outside for walks and play in the pool. It is time to give you your first haircut but you are incapable of sitting still so I am putting it off for as long as possible because I can just imagine what the haircut is going to end up looking like. So for now we are enjoying your fuzzy hair that stands up all over the place and everywhere we go people feel the need to pet you like a bunny :).

You are getting heavier but won't sit still on the scale long enough to find out the actual number. You fit somewhere in between 9month-12month clothes so I figure you are just the right size. You are a picky eater and don't like to try new things but are also getting tired of the cheerios and yogurt you are constantly eating so I'm not sure what to do about that.

You are a huge fan of your Dad and follow him around the house everywhere. Yesterday he went upstairs and I wasn't paying close attention. Before we knew it you were up the stairs too, holding out your arms for him to pick you up! If you know he is in the house you constantly say Dada and are always looking around for him, and don't get me started on how cute it is when he walks in the door and you go racing across the floor as fast as you can crawl to hug him!

 

Fun moments over the past month:

Smiles

You always have crazy hair!

Crazy hair after bath time, I can't get enough of it!

 

You love looking out the window, especially when Dad is outside grilling. You get so excited to watch him and pound on the window and wave to him :).

Always trying to get attention...



Helping Mom hang up our new picture

Little stud in your jersey

Howdy partner!

heading to the gym for some daycare fun!

You LOVE finding my purse and dumping it out!

Always getting kisses, whether you like it or not ;)

The morning after you slept through the entire night for the very first time! Definitely a moment to celebrate! Sadly it only happened once :(.

Story time with Dada

Attacking Mom with those chompers!

Watching Baby Einstein and munching on pretzels

Making messes, your favorite thing to do!

Standing independently!

You learned how to open the toy chest and had fun pulling everything out of it.

 

Now we just need to get you to stop chewing on it...

Reading your books

 

Splashing with Dad

Getting some sunscreen on with Mom

So fun!

 

Getting all warm and dry

 

Hanging out

Taking a walk up to Starbucks with Mom. I love your cheesy smile!

I love your face! You look so astonished haha.

 

Giddy'up Dad!