Here's the Dealio

This month I am being observed by the fertility specialist. I went in for blood work and an ultrasound. I start a home ovulation kit soon and then go back for another ultrasound and more blood work.

When we first met with the doctor all we did was sit and talk. He suggested I go on the Atkins diet. I guess this is a common suggestion for women with PCOS. It has to do with insulin levels and such. I was not to pleased with this, still not for that matter. I love breads and pastas and sweets and sweet snacks. I came home from that meeting thinking I'll just eat what we have in the house and then be careful about what I bring back in the house.

Well today I went for a walk with a friend who is seeing the same doctor. She has done several months of treatment and is in a 2nd round of IUI. Basically they take the seed from the man and wash it and put it in the women at the best time and hope for a baby. That procedure is more costly than I thought it was. $850 for each time it is done. Yikes. That may not sound like much to some of you, but for us at this point in our lives we could maybe squeeze by and have it done twice tops. We are here for another year so that still gives me time to just keep doing the fertility drugs, they offer something similar to Clomid. They will monitor me and tell us when to do our "homework."

This discouraged me and encouraged me at the same time. Discouraged because money doesn't grow on any trees I've ever seen; encouraged me to do EVERYTHING in my power to make myself healthy. So today I am getting rid of all the dry pasta and bread and tortillas. James is going to have a junk food cabinet that is out of site from the pantry. I plan to put a note on it that says "$850 for one time." Heres to hoping I don't raid it...

I just prepped some taco soup that is full of protein. I have cooked frozen chicken on hand, hard boiled eggs, and cheese sticks. On the Atkins diet you aren't supposed to have fruit or sugar but thats why I'm not doing the Atkins diet. I am still going to eat fruit. When something needs sugar I will be using sugar, not a substitue. I also get a late night chocolate craving after I get off of work at night. I bought some dove dark chocolates. One or two pieces should fix it and I don't think it will do too much damage. I mean I'm already nearly 200 lbs anyway, and it's better than an overflowing plate full of nilla wafers with peanut butter. (ugh..I love that.)

Most of my night meals will just consist of a meat and veggies. On work nights I have the taco soup ready made in cute little tupperware containers. I'll pack a salad with that. I can see me getting bored with this quickly. Thank goodness it is summer time and veggies are so good right now and so good on the grill. When I forget to plan I'll head to Wendy's and get a cup of chili and a small salad.

If any of you have any simple recipes with low carbs let me know. I still plan to have oatmeal for breakfast and am going to buy the whole wheat low carb version of tortillas.

For now that's the plan Jan, that's the dealio.

The inner 5 year old

Yesterday was a great day. James is off work on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Thursdays lately have started to feel like Saturdays used to.

I reminded James on Wednesday night that Thursday was going to be a date night since the movie, "The Lucky One" was playing on base and at $3 a ticket you really can't beat that.

James asked what I had going on that day and I mentioned needing to get a couple of things done. He knew that it was date night, but he figured we could have a date day too! I get so excited when he plans something. I am more of the social planner of the house.

James got done with a morning appointment. I was finishing up making homemade bread! (My mom taught me how when she was here.) I got ready for the day and left the dough in the bowl to rise all day.

James asked me if I had a dollar. I did. I sort of knew we were going to head out to Pensacola beach at that point since it has a toll bridge to get there. We went out to the beach and just kept driving. We drove the road all the way out until we were in Santa Rosa county. It was more secluded and the water was very turquoise. I saw a small family of dolphins. I screamed in the car and shouted "Dolphins!" I then began to clap like a little excited girl. James just shook his head and smiled at me.

Later that night we had a fabulous dinner at home. Grilled pork chops, grilled shrimp, a salad, my homemade bread and sweet tea. Mmm-mmm-good!

On our way to the movies there was a storm brewing. There were gray clouds all around, yet we were still under a circle of blue sky. Up ahead I saw a rainbow! I clapped my hands yet again and shouted "Rainbow! Do you see it?"

James again said "Yes I see it, but im not jumping out of my seat and clapping about it." Boy he really makes me laugh, even if it's at myself.

Then yet again I saw something exciting, a little baby fox by a stop sign eating a bird or something. I said "Oh! Look its a baby fox! And he's eating something!"

James then was like "Look! An old brick wall with ivy growing on it!"

By this time we were both laughing. What can I say, things like dolphins and rainbows and baby fox excite me! I felt like God sent them for me to show me that he, and his beauty are everywhere. I don't think there's anything wrong with clapping and getting excited about God's handy-work.

So thank you Lord for never ceasing to fascinate me and give me something to squeal like the girl you created.

I hope you all find something to squeal about today!
-With Love

Holy Smokes!

I know it's in the water, not just the local water. No I'm not pregnant but we received a referral to a clinic out in town. I'm super excited. I now know of at least 6 people who just announced their pregnancies this past week. I'm genuinely excited for everyone. I know that some people think I would be jealous or disappointed, but truly I have baby fever! For everyone!

I am also anxiously awaiting the list to see if James will be promoted to E6. He thought he had it last time and was pretty bummed when he didn't make it. This time he isn't letting himself get excited. I can't help but get my hopes up for him. They release the list on facebook so I'm on his account quite a bit lately.

I'm so excited summer has arrived. We already spent a week at the beach with James' parents and with mine. My brother and his family are coming down soon so there will be more time at the beach. I am truly blessed to have an awesome family.

James and I will be celebrating our seven year anniversary June 17th. That's just seems crazy. Seven years! What?!!

We are going to try and go home for the 4th of July this year. That is a holiday that screams family bar-b-que. We also want to meet our nephew Bentley! (My brother Alexis' son. In case you're wondering.) He came home just over a week ago!

In case I don't talk to you on the regular, or update this blog, I hope you have an amazing summer! If you can stop by Pensacola or want to see the white sandy beaches of Perdido Key shoot me an email. I would love to see any of you. We have a spare room!

-With love

Monday Melody

Happy Monday! I know you're prolly thinking get out of here you cheerful girl. Mondays are the pits.

Not anymore for me. James just switched to weekends so he works friday nights, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays till noon. 

This morning I woke up, ate breakfast, prayed for my cousins (yup, all 10 of you guys! Feel loved.), Bentley, my parents, and to make it through my workout without throwing up. 

Well now the workout it over, and I did not throw up! It is lead by the chaplin on base. It is supposedly similar to Insanity, I don't know since I have never done Insanity. I'm so glad I get to do it with a group of people and for free though. If i had to do it by myself I would definitely give up. I'm still the slowest person and dont get through all the stuff without taking a break. That's a bit embarrassing, but they are all active duty. (That's what I tell myself to make it ok that I can't keep up.) 

During this workout I regretted eating breakfast, even though it was an hour before hand. I also kept saying the "f" word in my head. Sorry mom! I knew I shouldn't have said that in my head so then I starting praying to just make it through and I did! I'm ALIVE! Hahaha, ok so I think I'm pretty funny. 

Now I'm going to shower and catch up on some of my shows before James gets home. I hope you have a stupendous Monday! 

February- March happenings

Hello readers! I hope you have been well.

Last month was the month for babies. One of my cousins and my sister-in-law had their babies on February 15th. I also had another cousin announce her pregnancy. Yay for babies! My nephew Bentley was born prematurely at 27 weeks. He is growing stronger everyday, yet everyday is still a battle. Please keep him in your prayers.

Last week the unthinkable happened. I got a call to fill in as a dental assistant. I don't think it will turn into a job as the assistant he has, has been with him from day one. However I do think they will call me if she ever wants a vacation or is sick or something. I swear he was the nicest dentist I have ever worked for. He might have been frustrated but he never showed it. He was so patient. I feel beyond blessed to have filled in. They called me from my resume that I turned into them when we first moved here over a year and a half ago. Not to mention that my paycheck for 3 days was more than my last one that was for 2 weeks. (I dont get very many hours, but still..) It was a great experience and made me realize that I do want to be a dental assistant again one day.
I think about volunteering, however I know that I want to be a stay at home mom until our kid goes to kindergarten. That is pretty important to me. (No, I'm not even pregnant. We are still trying.) We have just under a year and a half left here. I am happy where I am at the gym now. This fill in position was just what I needed to give me hope about the future though. Maybe I will have to be settled and James may be retired from the military but I know that I can do it. I can and will be a dental assistant in the future. It feels great knowing that.

Today we rearranged furniture! I'm so excited! I have never liked the way we had it but it seemed like our only option at the time. Now we have two rooms instead of one giant room. We got a dinning table off of craigslist and I wanted the carpets cleaned and furniture arranged before we brought it in. I love how it feels now. Much more like home. Now I can have company over and everyone should be able to have a seat! Mission accomplished.

Well I hope you have a great week! Maybe I'll be back before the month is up!

Spontaneous Fun

James is coaching again this year. Same age group as last year 9-11 year olds, I think. His team is off to a great start this year. They have won their first two games. I remember after his first practice this year he came home thinking his team was going to be the underdogs. He has 3 girls on his team and he had none last year. (Not that girls are bad, just two of the three don't come off as athletic. One even asked to stay on the bench. (I would totally be that girl.)) He only had seven show up to that first practice and he had a team of ten last year so he could put in a whole new team when the other guys got tired. He has players who are scared to shoot, some don't dribble well, some aren't agressive enough and some take the ball and foul anytime someone is near them with a ball. 

Saturday was his second game. Somehow he now has a full ten players on his team. The team we were playing only had five show up. I don't know if thats how the league works or what. Anyway, I am so impressed with him and his team. They played great. It was actually one of the first games in that age group that looked like basketball was being played. Most of the time it just looks like crazy kids running up and down the court. One of the kids who almost always passes the ball and hardly takes a shot scored the first point of the game. The next point he scored most impressed me. He rebounded the ball, surrounded by the other team, took a step away from the goal, turned around, focused and made the basket. It was beautiful. He is developing into a great player. He also did a fabulous bounce pass. For that age group they are just learning about those. It is great to witness this team grow. James is an amazing coach. He gets excited for his team. He encourages them and he teaches them. 

Another kid who is afraid to take shots almost made a basket. He actually tried to shoot not once but twice. James was so excited. He called the kid over to the bench and asked him "Do you know what you did?" 

The kid hung his head, "No."

"You almost got a basket. You went for it twice! I was ready to jump up off this bench and call a time out to give you a hug."

The kid smiles. "Yeah, I almost got a basket!" He smiles bigger now.

It is just so fun to watch and see James being so fulfilled. I love it. 

After the game we went home. James changed and then we went on a mystery date. James was taking me to a surprise lunch. When we got to the town though he ended up being surprised. We went to Mobile Alabama. We forgot that it was Mardi Gras. So we are in downtown Mobile, can't go anywhere, stuck in traffic parade. "I've never seen a Mardi Gras parade." I say. 

We park the truck and go stand next to the parade. It was pretty fun. We got lots of beads, (no flashing required. Where does the flashing even come in?)  We got a stuffed dog thrown at us. I had a whole sack of beads thrown at me that nailed me in the leg. We even got ice cream sandwiches thrown at us from one float. It was a pretty awesome experience. Also if any of you have an craft ideas involving beads, let me know! 

^^^^ Pretty Beads. :) 

Our Loot. >>>

Boxing glove, bag of beads that hit me in the leg,

Frisbees, cups, howling dog. (Yeah it really howls.) moon pies, and a paddle ball game! 

Oh, so back to the mystery date. James took me to this BBQ restaurant. It was featured on an episode of "Man vs. Food." They smoke the meat for a 25-30 hours! It was amazing and the next time anyone wants to visit us, be prepared to go for another hour drive to Mobile. We are so taking everybody. 

You would think that that would have been a complete day, basketball game, parade, BBQ. Nope, we had to stop in at Bass Pro Shop on our way home. We just love that place. 

And That my friends was our completed Saturday. 

Change is good

There have been lots of changes recently. I'm so glad too. It seems a lot of  people are scared of change, I rather love it. I embrace it. In small doses anyway. I think that's why I'm glad I married a military man. I get to change where I live, what I do, how my house looks every couple of years. It can be a bit unnerving, but is usually refreshing. (I am a bit frustrated that I haven't/can't rearrange my living room furniture.)

I switched from one gym that I worked at to another one closer to home. It takes me exactly 6 minutes from my front door to the time clock on foot. It's about the same driving too, I have to go around a couple of gates. It still beats the 20 minutes it did take. (not that 20 minutes is long either.) Is proximity to home the only reason I made this change? No, it's not. It's not a drastic change. I do the same thing, make the same money. You could say it isn't even a real change. Maybe it's not. But it feels like it.

Instead of eight hour shifts, I work five or six hours depending if I work the mid shift or the last shift. Big deal? Maybe not. It feels like it though.

I am cleaning my house and cooking more. Maybe this is because I am home more.

I read this article not long ago. I was in a slump. I'm not sure that I am fully out of it yet, but there is definite movement.
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/whole-life/features/25956-11-things-to-know-at-25ish?start=1

It's 11 things to know at 25ish. I just turned 26 in December. I was curious to what this would say. It was really a wake up call. PLEASE click on the link and read the article. It is really great. Encouraging, not a depressing list of things you need to have accomplished but haven't. It's more of a call to rise up and take control of who you want to become. Everyday we wake up, we get to decide who we are. If you aren't happy where you are, change. I am.