It's a Baby "Sprinkle"!

Happy March! 1. where is the year going!? 2. When is this snow going to melt? I prefer my Springs to be colorful. The arrival of March means the arrival of another little man is just around the corner for my family! We totally surprised my cousin with a baby "sprinkle". I heard of the idea a few months ago (probably on Pinterest) to throw a mini shower for a second child, especially if it's a different gender. It was a perfect afternoon of celebrating and anticipating baby boy Lapp! 

xoxo,

Mrs. Spring (&baby) fever

Grow Where You are Planted

I am a change junkie. Maybe it was 4 different schools in 4 years from 6th to 9th grade, studying abroad in a foreign country for 3 months, or getting engaged, graduating nursing school, getting married, and landing a job in the span of a year that did it to me, but sometime during this whole "growing up" thing...it happened. I love my hometown and will probably always live right here where I was born and raised. I love my family close in relation and distance. Yet I am constantly craving an adventure, a new challenge, a new goal to reach. It can be a slippery slope. As healthy as experiencing new things and the strive to improve oneself is, when does it become discontentment? On the other hand, when does lack of it become complacency? After over a year of married life and my job living in our home, I'm in a daily tug of war with finding a balance between these two extremes.

"Can't settle into a routine and become stagnant" I say one day. "Look how blessed you are, never forget to be thankful for all that you have. You don't need anything else to be happy" I remind myself the next day. 

To this struggle I say: I know I'm not alone. I have no doubt this is the classic 20-something thought process. Married or not, employed of not, if employed using our degree or not (or even have a degree or not) living with your parents or around the world. We're trying to make our mark, find our niche in this big opportunity packed world. 

I'm starting to itch for change. I can feel it bubbling to the surface of my day to day thought process. So inevitably {trips are planned, half marathon signed up for, Insanity started, health food fads explored, girlie foodie exploration days planned} 

But then I heard a whisper in my heart, so faint I almost didn't acknowledge it until it slapped my in the face via a Pinterest quote. [profound, I know] Grow where you are planted. Yes. Grow where you are planted. Change, explore, adventure, experience, reach for new heights but don't run away from what you've started. Fresh starts only last a short while. Instead invest in making your exhisting endeavors fresh again. 

Thank you Jesus for this reminder. 

xoxo, 

Mrs. Antsy 

5 February Fit Tips

Just like everyone else, I made New Years resolutions to eat healthier & get in shape. I've owned the Insanity DVDs for over a year and attempted multiple times to complete the 60 day challenge never doing it consistently and never getting past the second week. I ran cross country for 6 years, but long gone are the days of being held accountable by a team and burning so many calories in a day I didn't have to think twice about what I ate.  

Basically, I find the discipline it takes to make all these healthy changes VERY difficult to stick with on my own willpower. BUT this year I am fighting that urge to quit with all I have thanks to a few new tools.....

1. The encouragement and accountability of my husband. I told him January first, I want to do this. Don't let me stop. His praise and challenges have kept me going, plus we're working out together so I'm not alone!

2. My basement is my gym. We originally canceled our gym membership to save money, but all I need is a rubber mat and a tv so our unfinished basement is the perfect and most convenient setting to blast some Pitbull Pandora and work it out! 

3. Technology! I started using a Polar heart rate monitor which has increased the effort I put into my workouts now that I know my Target zone and actual calories burned. I use the FT4 model which I found for around $60 on Amazon. Also, I use the 'Fitness Pal' app to coin calories and 'Run Keeper' app to track distance and pace of runs.

4. Rewards. Let's be honest, what girl isn't motivated by gifts? Even when they're from yourself, I've found it's a great incentive to stay motivated! I decided that each milestone I reach I will reward myself with a cute workout outfit, pair of sneakers, pampering or something specific I've been wanting. 

5. Strategic grocery shopping. Never shop hungry. Start in the fresh produce section. Skip the packaged snack aisles completely. Read labels! Watch sugar, saturated fat, cholesterol, etc. the reality is, if it's not in the house it's a lot harder to get access to. (not to say an occasional drive thru frappe & fries binge won't happen :)) 

January is coming to an end and I'm one month in. I honestly couldn't feel better. I never thought I would make it this far without cheating or giving up, but now that I'm halfway I don't want to! I am excited to continue to challenge myself and hopefully see even more results. 

Keep at it friends, 2014 can be your healthiest year yet! I'm hoping mine will be. One day, Shaun T. will be my friend, not my enemy :) 

xoxo,

Mrs. Digging Deep

Simple Strawberry Protein Smoothie

This has been my go-to post workout treat and the best thig is how easy it is! For a filling smoothie that has at least 25g of protein here's what you need:

1 Cup cubed ice with (plus an inch or two of water)

1 scoop protein powder

1 Greek yogurt

1 cup frozen strawberries

That's it. Blend together and enjoy! Substitute different flavors protein powder, yogurt, and different fruits to keep it interesting! Also, I only use one scoop of protein, with two this smoothie would have close to 40g of protein! 

Enjoy!

xoxo, 

Mrs. gunsinprogress

New Years Pinspiration

I am hopeful. I am thankful. Hopeful for what wonderful things 2014 will hold and thankful for all the blessings of 2013. Yes, I made resolutions, goals, and have dreams for the year ahead. Not to publicize of "check off" a list, but for myself. This is the year I want to become a better version of myself, for myself. No one else. So my excitement may spill over into this blog as I accomplish things, but for now, here is some pretty encouragement I'm dwelling on in this new year. 

xoxo,

Mrs. 2014

Snow Day Steals

Goodwill is my therapy. hobby. addiction. whatever you'd like to call it. Sometimes I don't find much, but the times I did treasures keep me coming back. Yesterday was the perfect snowy day to spend the afternoon sorting through ugly sweaters and 90s mom jeans to find these gems. 

I found Michael Kors and Jcrew sweaters and Simply Vera and American Eagle jeans for under $20! 

xoxo,

Mrs. Thrifty 

walk in love.

Last week I played model for the day for a great brand called walk in love. They are stylish clothes and accessories with encouraging messages. [Tebow himself was recently spotted on Twitter wearing one of their shirts->> https://twitter.com/raydaed/status/410928137510219776] 

The talented Brooke and Liz of Brooke Courtney Photography [http://www.brookecourtney.com/about.html] dolled me up and took some photographs in their studio and outside in a winter wonderland. If you have last minute Christmas shopping to do, check out their site! 

Check out the blog post at the link below and stick around their website for some shopping! I know I'm obsessed with my "You are the Song I Sing" floral hoodie! 

http://shopwalkinlove.com/blogs/walk-in-love/10845689-floral-hoodie-feature