Pismo Part-ay

Our very dear friends, Julissa and Steve, said "I do" this weekend in Pismo Beach. Conor and I were thrilled to attend and I got to spend my birthday away! It was such a fantastic and memorable vacation with great friends.

The blushing bride and groom

The location was breathtaking! The couple was gorgeous, full of life, love and genuine happiness. The guests were ecstatic and fun-loving. The food and wine were out of this world. The dancing was a blast and the entire weekend was the perfect mix of relaxation and fun. We had such a GREAT time!

All dressed up and ready to go!

Old buds in nice duds.

(L to R)

Conor, Erik (Libby's Godfather & brother of the bride) and Matt

Conor and GenErik and Conor

Melissa and Matt

Lucia and Hugo

The first dance

The wedding was on Friday night. Saturday was filled with a morning run on the beach, afternoon bbq and pool time. Last night, after a day of relaxing, we continued to be spoiled with a fabulous dinner and great conversation. Right before dinner we sat out on Erik's balcony and watched the sunset.... aaaaaaaaaah-Mazing!

Erik with the girls

Conor, Gen and an UNBELIEVABLE sunset!

This weekend was a little slice of heaven and something we will never forget. Thank you so much Steve and Julissa for having us. We love you guys so much and wish you all the happiness in the world.

The kids had a GREAT time while we were away and played even harder than we did! Stay tuned for the next post...

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Happy Monday!

Happy 55th Nani Donsie!

My mom turned "double nickles" today. Happy Birthday Donsie! To celebrate the BIG day the kids and I met her, Mary Jo, Auntie Lou Lou, Uncle Dan and his girlfriend Molly for dinner (Conor was out of town for work.)

It was a great night!! The kids ate more chips and cake than a grown man and gave me a sufficiently hard time going to bed... it was so worth it! Check out all the fun pics we got!!

I tried to get a group photo before we took off..

(L to R)

Libby, Ally, Molly and Russ

The kids COULD NOT WAIT to get there and sang "happy birthday" the entire car ride to the restaurant! The second they laid eyes on my mom and sister they went NUTS! It was too cute.

(L to R)

Russ, Auntie Lou Lou, Molly, Nani Donsie, Libby and Ally

Uncle Dan and Molly

Auntie Lou Lou, Russ and Me

Russ and his Godfather

Molly and her Godmother

Little Libby

Ally Boo Boo

Me and my sister

Mary Jo, The Birthday Girl, Me and Lou Lou

I hope the week is going great for everyone!

Thank you so much for all the sweet comments on my last post. It means more to me than you know!!

Happy Thursday!

"How did you lose the weight?"

I get asked this question a lot. Our kids are three years old and it has taken me that long to lose the weight. I've been sitting on this post for some time. I realize now that I'm writing it for a variety of reasons:

1. Honesty- it's my favorite policy.
2. If you find something that works- shout it from the roof tops!
3. It's not luck or genetics- it's the result of hard work.
4. I have finally developed, what I consider, a healthy perspective.

5. I want to set a good example for my girls.
6. I realize that huge part of being a good mom is TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF!!!

7. Maybe my story might inspire someone else.

8. I have FINALLY met my goal!

You might remember the post I wrote in January, "A New Kind of Resolution." For the first time since having kids, I felt like I had a grasp on it all. Man was I WRONG! By March I hit a wall. I never lost track of my resolution, but I was determined to get healthy. I was working out every morning, chasing the kids all day long and GAINING weight rapidly. It was frustrating and a bit depressing. When I talked to my doctor we realized it had a lot to do with my hormones (which have been out of whack for years) and my diet as well. The biggest problem? I wasn't eating enough! Crazy, right? It made so much sense!

I have been working out, HARD, since the kids were about 6 months old. I get up every morning before the sun (and the kids) and hit the gym. I rarely miss a day. It's my therapy and the one thing I do for myself. I love to run, bike and swim. I always took care of the kids dietary needs meticulously. But mine on the other hand, I would just forget to feed myself and when i did eat it was WHATEVER was near by. My poor metabolism was dead and I had completely forgotten to take care of myself. My doc suggested I try a weight loss program/diet and see what happened. It was a bit of an experiment. He gave me a few to choose from and I ended up knocking on Jenny Craig's door. It was THE BEST thing I have EVER done for myself.

It sounds so simple, but I was just lost. I hated where I was physically, but I also wanted to find a way to set a good example for my girls. I NEVER talked about my negative self image and I NEVER used the word "diet." The kids and I would go to Jenny Craig each week to meet with my consultant, Fabian. I would tell them we were going to see my friend and get some good food to make mommy feel better/healthy! They have loved going with me and being part of my journey.

Fabian and the kids

(front to back)

Russ, Ally, Libby and Molly

Here we are, it's August, I'm about to turn 31 and hit my weight loss goal all in the same week. I have lost 30lbs! I learned so much more than just how to eat during these long months of hard work and determination. I learned, for the first time in my life, how to FINALLY take care of myself.

I'm proud of what I've done and how much I've grown. I feel strong both inside and out, which is a hard balance to find. Also, having a team of cheerleaders behind you sure helps a lot too! Conor, my mom, Suz, Fabian and all my friends have been a huge support for me. Thank you guys!!

*Phew!* That was hard for me to write, but I'm glad that I did. Not as a self-serving pat on the back - but as a note of support for anyone battling similar issues or self-doubt. I found something that worked for me and I wanted to share. We can all reach our goals, but we have to do it for ourselves.

Have a great Tuesday everyone! The kids and I have big plans tonight!

A Jump Start to A Good Day

My God Daughter, Grace, spent the day with the kids and I yesterday. We love having her around so much. She is the most helpful, polite and sweet 4th grader I know. I just love her to pieces and so do the kids.

We played away the morning doing hair and getting dressed (the kids dressing themselves) for our hot lunch date with my mom! Once all 6 of us were ready, had hit the potty (for the millionth time) and gotten our shoes on the right feet, we loaded up the car.

This is a task that takes FOREVER these days now that we have 4 independent little gremlins, I mean children. Once everyone had buckled his or her car seat "all by my myself" we were ready to go. I turned my key in the ignition and ..... NOTHING! My car wouldn't start! After a few attempts, as well as a bit of problem solving, I called AAA and told them I thought it was the battery... they were on their way. As we waited patiently Grace and I attempted to keep peace in the burb. Holy Lordy... I was NOT about to unload them and start all over again.

The AAA dude came quickly (THANK GOD) and worked his magic. A little jump start, a lecture about battery life and we were off to meet my mom for our weekly lunch date. All was good in our world. We picked up my mom and off we went to Panera Bread. Yummmmy!

Nani Donsie, her grandchildren and Cousin Grace

Now, this is a bit of a side note.. but I'm laughing at myself and my kids as I type, so I wanted to share. Our kids have been potty trained since late May. It's been a welcomed change but it also has it's downfalls. For instance... the kids are fascinated with public restrooms. It doesn't matter if they just went potty, they MUST see the latest and greatest bathroom wherever we are. The phrase "ya gotta go when you gotta go" has taken on a whole new meaning for me.

I tend to freak out a bit in public restrooms, who doesn't? I'm more of an arresting police officer than mother when in this situation, arming myself with purel! If didn't act this way it would be complete chaos!! So, after the first few public bathroom experiences with 4 three year olds... I now have it down to a science.

I line up all four against the wall and tell them, "DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT MOVE and KEEP YOUR HANDS UP RIGHT WHERE I CAN SEE THEM." All four kids are obediently freeze in fear. Then, I let them use the potty one at a time as we do our business, wash hands and return to our chalk outlines on the walls. Eventually all four have satisfied the urge to potty and we can get back to the activity at hand. It doesn't matter where we are, the zoo, a restaurant, a friends house... the story is always the same. Once they realize a new place HAS A BATHROOM.. I'm done for. I'm sure as a fly on the wall the organized chaos is pretty hysterical, as for me... I just pray that no one says the word BATHROOM in front of them! :)

ANYWAY, after the car fiasco and long potty excursion we settled down and ended up having a great lunch and afternoon. Despite a rough start, today was a GREAT day. The kiddos love to eat out with Nani and we always follow up our meal with frozen yogurt... yummmy!!!

After our nice lunch we dropped my mom off at work and headed home. It was still pretty early so we took Grace to our favorite park. By the time we got home the kids were wiped out and snoring before I could even put them to bed.

Ally Boo Boo

Russell pushing HIS Grace!

Cousin Grace in action with Ally

Libs making her "I can do it myself, mommy" face!

Sweet Grace

Loved this picture of Molly and Russ

Russ- pondering the possibilities!

Miss Molly

Libs and Russell

Russ and Ally

Always so serious.. little Libs

Our sweet Ally Boo

Russ and Me

"What? I like having my hair blow in the wind!"

-Molly, the girl WILL NOT leave her hair ties in.. ugh!

Have a GREAT weekend everyone! We have some fun parties lined up, I can't wait!

No "i" In Team...

The kids LOVE to go hang out while daddy coaches soccer! It's hard not to smile when you watch them play together, they have been practicing team work since day one.

The Natural

-Molly is a natural as she dribbles effortlessly up and down the field

"Sit right here Ally, I saved you the best seat in the house!"

-Libs looking out for her sis

"Alrighty Mom, I know I'm a big kid now but hang close just in case!"

-Russ LOOKS SO MUCH LIKE HIS DADDY in this picture.. OMG!

"Eat it up ladies.....eat it up"
The Little Man has moved from Blue Steel to Magnum

"One step at a time guys!"

-Molly, always leading the way

"Come on...you know you can't get mad at this face!!"

-Ally, the kid ALWAYS makes me smile

"But she TOLD me to eat the barkdust Mommy..."
-Ally Boo Boo

"K, I'll hold the button while you girls fill up our cups!"

-Russ, in charge of the quadruple watering hole

Wise Miss Molly

"Don't forget to hydrate everybody!"

-Mini Mommy

Our 4 big kids

"I may be little but I always pull my weight!"

-Little B

I love that blonde hair!

"Don't step on the lines!!"

"I was like OMG, I totally just scored that goal AND she was like NO WAY and I was ALL it was RAD dude and she was all TOTALLY!!"

-Libs telling Ally and Molly how it is

"Slow and steady buddy, just put one foot in front of the other!"

-Ally coaching the cautious Russ along

Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope your having a GREAT week!

PS- if your new to our blog, check out my post on sun safety.