Neglect

I feel like I have been neglecting my blog...and I have.  The transition from third shift to first shift is A LOT harder than I thought it would be.  I did not think I would have a problem at all. Boy was I wrong.  imagine taking your sleep, eating, body, home, family, pets, and workout schedules and completely change and flip them.  CRAZINESS!!!!  I have figured out most of the schedules and am really starting to like it.  There are two areas that I am struggling with and that is dinners and working out.  Luckily my Hubby is great and has been making dinners but this weekend I am going to be a cooking fanatic.  I am hoping to stock the freezer with frozen dinners and crock pot meals.  I am still trying to find time to workout.  I am hoping you guys can shed some light on tips and tricks you use to squeeze in workouts for quick easy dinners. 

Good news is that I am feeling great!!!!  I don't remember the last time I felt this awake and happy.  The other day on my way home from work i caught myself jamming out to the radio.  I thought to myself...."I don't remember the last time I did this.  I must be feeling better!"  I am also down 10 pounds in the last month.  and it is all due to better food choices and more sleep.  I went from getting 4-5 hours a day to 7-8 hours a night.  I am hoping to fit in a workout here and there to assist in my weight loss. 

Sorry I have been gone lately but will try my best to post on a regular basis!

Prayers Please

I will take all of the prayers I can get today.  I can not say much but that there is a chance that I maybe able to move to first shift.  it all depends on the decisions of the company we are contracted to.  We currently have an "extra" employees and then decision is to let us keep the "extra" person or if we will have to get rid of the last person that was hired.  We really do need the extra person because we are swamped but it all comes down to budget and profit.  If the extra person is approved I will be able to move to first shift.  I love the company that I work for and most of the people I work with.  I have been here seven years and really do not want to leave but I NEED first shift.  I can not do thirds anymore.  with a 2 year old and a family I need to be on first shift and have a "normal" schedule.  I have noticed myself moody, depressed, and super emotional lately and just can not shake it.  I know that it just everything is catching up to me...lack of sleep, stress at work, laundry, cleaning, second job, cooking, family logistics, and just day to day life.  but I am ready for a change.  (I don't want this to be about my stress and hard times.)  please pray that the human resource department will see that we are extremely busy and that we are spread thin.  Pray for wisdom, thoroughness, and understanding for my supervisor as he presents this to the HR department, and in their decision.

Thank You <><

Pinterest Weekend

Looking back over the weekend I realized that I used a lot of ideas that I got off of Pinterest.  I am sure that almost everyone knows about Pinterest by now.  Here is a list all the "Pinterest things" I did this weekend!

1. Carrot and Zucchini Fingers
 

2.Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups


3.Pumpkin Muffins (I added Chocolate Chips too!)


4.Laundry Detergent


5.Ribbon and Pearls Necklace


6.Frame Thermostat


7.U of M hairbow (I used this pin to find the pattern I used.)

Time to Play Catch Up

This summer has been CRAZY!  I feel like it just started but it is already over.  we had so many things we wanted to do but just going not fit them in between the vacations, birthdays, anniversaries, and work.  I did take a month off from my blog just to focus on family more and i needed it.  I am now excited to get back to the blog and have a lot of projects I am excited to post for you.  but here is a recap of what we were doing while I was gone.  (Sorry for the over load of pictures!)

Splash pad with buddy Bryce!

Movie night with Elliott

 We found two baby bunnies in our yard!
Mallorie said "Awww they Cute!"

We also had a Toad that was living in our garage.
we would move him out and the next day he would
be back!  Of course Mallorie had to play with him.

On Vacation

Brad (hubby) turned the big 3-0!!!




















All of these pictures were from my phone.  I have plenty more on my camera but they will have to wait.  I also started to coach Volleyball for a local christian school.  I love to do it but it takes so much time between practice, games and planning.

 Mallorie and I also took a trip to the Zoo with my parents and cousins.  Here is Mallorie and Lewis

 Mallorie and Paisley with their suckers while waiting for Ruthie and Lewis to pet the stingrays.

Cousins!!!

While I was out...

I have taken a little break from the blogging world over the Holidays.  (if you have not noticed!)  We have been pretty busy with last minute shopping, multiple parties, illnesses, and fun family time! We still have one Christmas party tonight but here is what we have been up to the last few weeks!



Playing dress up with mom's head band





Live Nativity Scene - We could pet and hold many animals.  Mallorie LOVED it!


Laying low, not feeling to well


Visited Santa!  We were surprised that Mallorie did so well.





Many parities and tons of gifts were opened!


At the end of a stressful day kicking back a cold one with Dad!  (don't worry hers is not open.  She just liked the cold can on her gums!)

There are no pictures from New Years Eve because we were in bed.  We were all asleep by 9:30 pm!  Happy New Year! 

Fall Update

I have been pretty busy and just let my blog take a backseat to is all.  I am going to lump a lot of things into one update post so here it goes.

We went apple picking:


Ready to pick!


Mallorie loved riding in her wagon!

Family Picture  - I think we will do this every year!

After picking apples we went to the resturant at the orchard and got lunch!  Brad got a piece of homemade apple pie, I got a doughnut and hot cider, and we got Mallorie a cidersicle.  She loved it!


As we sat and enjoyed out treats I saw a great photo opputunity.  There was a old bench with apple crates stacked behind it and just thought that it was cute.


Then Brad ran a local 5k.  I was going to run it but just had not been running at all and, frankly, did not feel like it. 


Waiting for Daddy at the finish line!

He goal was under 30 minutes and his time was 29:59! Great Job!

So excited for Daddy!

For Halloween Activites see my Halloween 2011 post.

Every year I take a picture of Carter in the leaves. I just love his color with the leaves.  Here are a few from this year.


(incase you are wondering the sore is on his chest it is his allergies.  We have to give him monthly shots ot keep them under control but in the Spring and Fall they are the worst.  Poor guy!  Read his story here.)

Busy Times

Things have just been REALLY busy for me.  I have been working overtime, we went camping, I started to coach Volleyball, I am planning Mallorie 1st birthday (crazy that she is almost one already), and we will be going camping again in a few weeks.  I have not had any time to craft, take special pictures, or even make up a menu.  I am hoping that things slow down soon and I can get back to normal. 

As far as coaching... I started to coach the Jr. High. team at a local Christian school.  It is a pretty small school so my team is made up of four 7th graders and eight 6th graders.  A lot of them have never really play before so I am starting from square one.  I am really surprised at how well they are doing and catching on.  the biggest ocbstical that They have is the height of the net.  It is hard to teach the correct way to block and hit when they can not even reach the net.  I know that it will come with time but for now it is tough.  I am inpressed with their passing and setting and even some of their serving skills.  They are all sweet compassionate girls and I am looking forward to this season. 

Sleep Deprived

I am not tired because I have been having sleepless night with Mallorie...It is because of work.  Normally I work Monday thru Friday but since we are still short staffed I am having to work overtime.  I get out of work at 8 am on Fridays and don't have daycare on Fridays because I usually stay up and then sleep all night to flip my schedule to a "normal" schedule.  So when I do have to work I stay up all day then catch a nap and then come back into work. 

I just figured out that since Thursday at 3:30 pm until Saturday night when I go to bed I will have gotten about 4 hours of sleep.  That is 4 out of 52 hours.  Now I understand why I am tired.  It does amaze me how the body can adapt and get use to little or no sleep.  Here are a few things I use to stay awake...

    

I love iced coffee.  For some reason I do not like it hot but I LOVE it over ice or blended.  Yummy!  I was so happy with McDonald's came out with the Mocha Frappe.  Also I always have a something to snack on in the car for the ride home.  I drive about 45 minutes each way to work so sometimes I get really sleepy while driving.  I have found that if I have something to munch on it helps to keep me awake.  What do you do to stay awake when you are tired? 

Got Time?

     Lately I have not had any time and I feel like I can not catch up on anything.  I have been working 58 + hours every week at work (third shift) so flipping my schedule around is hard.  With the holidays the last few months makes it feel like we have something to do every weekend.  My day starts at Midnight.  I start work at midnight and work until 8 am.  Then I drive home (45 minute drive) and then I feed the dog and let him out and eat breakfast myself.  I am lucky if I get up to bed by 9:30.  Then I usually see 10 am before I fall asleep.  Then i get up at 2:30 pm and get ready for the "Day" I then go and pick up Mallorie from Daycare and either go home or go to my parents house so my mom can watch her while I clean (I work with my dad two nights a week).  In the evenings the regular routine is Dinner, Dishes, pack lunches, feed Mallorie Cereal, then most nights a bath for her.  Then her night bottle and putting her down.  Then showers and off to bed for Brad and I.  We try to be up to bed by 9pm.  Then I get up at 10:30 pm to get ready for work and drive in. 

   But there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  The last two weeks I have been training our full timer at work and I just got an e-mail letting me know that they are conducting the background on a Part-timer!  That means I will only have to work 43 hours a week!!! I am pretty excited!  I can not wait for more family time.  This is the reason that I have not had many posts lately I will hopefully be back to crafting soon!