New Year's Recap

2 days after Christmas, these two braved the cold for a trip to Forever Wild Animal Sanctuary, while I read. I think it was a win for all of us! I'd like to go, but when its warmer!

The next day, we decided to go inner-tubing up in Big Bear. Ryan was super excited to be in the snow!

 Hubby taking Ryan up the magic carpet:

After 42 (!) minutes, they came down, and I headed to the car to read in what I imagined would be another 42 minutes before I saw them again. #aintnobodygottimeforthat
But they went up the magic carpet on the other side and were able to go down 3 more times!

After that, we ate a most delicious lunch at the Peppercorn Grill in the Village. So yummy!

 Ryan loved the bread, of course. #carboloading

The next day was lazy as well, and I found my word for 2017:

On the 30th, we dropped Ryan and our pups at my parents and headed to Vegas for what I was told was an overnight, plus seeing Carrot Top at the Luxor.

Took us 4 hours to get there - #thankstraffic

But I did manage to finish reading Uninvited and The Fringe Hours.

We stayed at Mandalay Bay and for some reason, it seemed so much bigger when I lived in Vegas! We walked the shoppes and bought the world's most expensive toothbrush when I realized I forgot to bring one, and ate an early dinner at Lupo, where we were so hungry, we devoured our delicious pizzas and all I have to show for it is a picture of my mule:

But that was a kick ass mule!

#punintended

We went back to our room to change and then headed down to walk to the Carrot Top show. When I asked Stephan if he was going the wrong way, he handed me the tickets, where I discovered we weren't going to Carrot Top at all:

That's right... Maroon 5!!

#insertyourscreamshere

Floor seats!

This guy. I. Can't. Even.

I was blown away by this concert. I've loved concerts since I was little and have been to tons. The showmanship, the gratitude, and the insane high notes that Adam Levine can accomplish were all awesome!

Our drive home the next day was easy-peasy, I started reading I Little Salty to Cut the Sweet, we picked up Ryan and the pups before the insane rain storm started, and watched the East coast countdown online from Walt Disney World. 

We found ourselves exhausted and in bed by 11pm. 

#rockstars

New Year's Day was the start of our 28-day reset...

No gluten, no sugar, no dairy, no alcohol, and no processed foods.

And, the start of my PIIT 28 workout program.

Cassey Ho of Blogilates, who I adore, has an insane pilates interval training program that I've admired from afar. When my skinny jeans became my if-I-have-the-flu-and-drop-5-pounds jeans, and the program went on 30% off, it was like God was shouting at me to get my butt into it. He may not have used those exact words, but the Holy Spirit needs to be firm with me.

In addition to the workouts, there are daily Instagram posts to complete.

Here is me, Day 1, in all my crowning glory.

#Icrackmyselfup

So here it is, the morning of Day 2, and my back is killing me, and I can't fathom doing the workout because I'm in terrible shape and yesterday literally kicked my ass. But I will do it. I need to.

I also started my 2017 Reading Challenge of 15 books... let's be friends on GoodReads!

Today is also the last day of hubby's vacation. He is back to work tomorrow, but not until he finishes organzing the garage with me.

#heissoloved

Happy 2017!

What's Up Wednesday and 2016 Favorite

Here we go! The last WUW of 2016!

1. What we're eating this week

Sunday: we went to Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel for dinner and to see Santa!

Monday: I made my usual breakfast casserole for the week. I am loving the extra additions of diced green chiles, turkey bacon, and then topping it once its cooked with lemon juice and sea salt. This casserole has been on repeat for weeks!

Tuesday: Pinterest told me to make Doritos taco bake and I will happily try!

Wednesday: Pinterest told me to make this breakfast sandwich bake, but I'll substitute chicken for the ham.

Thursday: Christmas party with some dear friends

Friday: chicken burgers with avocado! #pow!

Saturday: Christmas Eve dinner! I was asked to make this Chicken Parm Lasagna again, and family will bring pasta, salad, sausage & peppers, and desserts.

2. What I'm reminiscing about

Everything. I've been in the mood for looking at pictures on my phone from the last 3 years. It all goes by so fast.

3. What I'm loving

Ryan's laugh, and singing nursery rhymes and Christmas carols. It is the best! I really think he has musical talent. What is the next step for an almost 3 year old? Do we start piano lessons?

4. What we've been up to

Sooooo much! We have had little time to breathe, but looking back, I'm loving it. The laundry and cleaning and decorating has been fit in when possible. But sometimes you just need to drive around and see the lights.

We had such a hectic time last week that Saturday morning, though intended to be a movie day anyway, was very lazy and hubby and I both agreed we felt we had stress hangovers.

5. What I'm dreading

Nothing really.

6. What I'm working on

I have one minor fix in my dissertation before it is up for final approval. So I'm doing that, and beginning the formatting. I'm in pagination hell. Anyone really good at putting page numbers in a Word doc when they don't start on the 1st page? UGH!

7. What I'm excited about

Spending the next 3 weeks on break and with my family!

8. What I'm watching/reading

I'm on repeat #4

I really like the 2nd season!!

And of course:

I'm finding it so hard to get into this book. I loved the first 3 chapters, then my mind went to a ton of other books. Now I feel I must finish this.

Here's the books that advanced ahead:

9. What I'm listening to

We are having kitchen dance parties to the music from last week's concert of the Band of Merrymakers:

10. What I'm wearing

Jammies. All. Day. Long.

#winterbreak

11. What I'm doing this weekend

I wish you all the most wonderful Christmas with your families. My prayer for you and I is that Jesus at the center.

12. What I'm looking forward to next month

Exploring my word for 2017: Joy

13. What else is new

Please keep us in prayer... we have been wanting to adopt again since last December. We had mountains of paperwork again and have been in the pool for 6 months. We've been 2nd choice 3 TIMES. We know God has a perfect plan for us and we don't doubt that He is in control and those 3 babies are in perfect homes. Still, it's hard to be 2nd choice. 1st loser? We want to grow our family and pray that everyone involved is healthy and that the situation, whatever it may be, will bring God more glory than ever before!

BONUS: Favorite memory of 2016

When Ryan started talking and did not stop!

We were getting closer to Ryan's 2nd birthday, and hearing other parents who were visiting speech therapists and dealing with developmental delays in their children, made us really worried. Ryan said "Dada" and "Mama" early on, but then sort of stopped. Then, 2 weeks before his 2nd birthday, he decided to talk for good. And he hasn't stopped since! 

I share this as my favorite memory for a few reasons. 

I love to hear what he has to say. He is making sense of the world and repeating what he hears (we have to be sooo careful), and like I mentioned, is singing carols and nursery rhymes. But we got worried that he wasn't advancing like other kids. What a terrible thing- to compare.  We should know better. Even if there was a speech delay, we wouldn't love Ryan any less. And we would move mountains to get him support in any way. We were so silly and consumed, when we should've been faithful and present. This was a good lesson for us.

Weekend Recap: Sooooo much fun!

I'm saying my weekend started on Thursday the 15th, because that was when I said goodbye to students until January 9th! :)

We headed to the Troubador for a fantastic concert: The Band of Merrymakers!!!

The set list:

Mildly stalking Kevin Griffin:

Tyler Green has an awesome voice. I really enjoyed this concert!

Friday was my last work day. We planned and cleaned and then I had to leave because:

When all was said and done:

Not really...its weird!

Saturday was spent watching our favorite Christmas movies:

Then we napped! T'was glorious!

Then I worked at church...34* weather! Yikes it was cold!

Sunday was church and a youth dance performance of the Nutcracker.

That night, we headed to the Disneyland Hotel with MIL.

We ate at Goofy's Kitchen!

It was a beautiful time! We are so darn blessed, I can't even.