Reflections, yo!

2013 is coming to an end. Which is crazy to me because I feel like we were JUST bringing in this year (by going to bed before the ball drops and being totally ok with that).

2013 was pretty good, but the most significant part of 2013 for me were these last few months. Things have happened in my life that are best described as scary, confusing, and random. Like how I'm being super vague? ;) Just roll with it....because I don't really know how to put it into words. But what I can say, is that these events, if for nothing else, have brought me closer to my God. I have walked closer to Him than I probably have my entire life. And that my friends, is a beautiful thing. Its true what "they" say: God uses the bad to show you something good. I have also started some personal counseling and am starting to learn things about myself. I am looking forward to 2014 with a fresh perspective on my faith and my walk.

You know what else 2014 will be bringing (hopefully!!!)? The basement FINALLY completed! We have demo'd the other half (our bedroom/bathroom/huge closet, eeeek!) this past week which means, bathroom layouts are starting to be reviewed. I cannot tell you how much I will appreciate the extra 928 square feet and just the space that an open 2 story floor plan will bring. A wild (almost!) 3 year old with enough toys to fill 2 houses and a wild 1 year old lab running around calls for extra space.

The gym is still a super important part in my life, but has taken a back seat in the past few months and I am ok with that. I am looking forward to walking back into the gym with a new perspective on what I want for myself and body: to not compare myself to what I *think* I should look like and beat myself up with I don't achieve it. We will be (hopefully!) expanding our family this coming year and I want to keep hitting the gym like I did when Troy was baking in the ol' belly. For me, I credit it to the weight coming off and an easy (for me) delivery.

Cheers to 2014!! Hope you all have a safe New Years Eve!

My Sun and Stars

WOOF. From 5pm-ongoing, its been a roller coaster of emotions.

About 4:30pm last night, my hubsicle came home from work saying his stomach hurt, which was odd because he seriously never ever tells me he is hurting or he's sick. So I knew something was up. By 5, he's telling me we need to go to the ER - uh oh. His stomach was hard and stiff and his pain was in his lower right side. Well, I am someone who definitely works well under pressure, but I will be honest; in those few minutes it took for me to get Troy's stuff together for Gma's and getting Nick in the car?

Long story short, after blood tests and a CT scan...dun dun duuuuun: APPENDICITIS! The freaking appendix! It hadn't burst, but it was uber swollen and that sucker had to go. Between all the nurses coming in and out of the room, surgeons coming in and telling us what the procedure would be like, my head was spinning. Basically, all the doctors confirmed what I thought and surgery was happening within an hour.

The thought of Nick getting put under scared me. Im not sure why, but it did. I mean, really, I KNEW he was going to be ok, but I think its just normal that when your significant other is about to be opened up, you get nervous. The unknown is scary, people. I have my Faith in the good Lord above, but Im human, fear at some points in life are normal.

So here we are not even 24 hours later, back at home and I am happily playing nurse to my patient. Its crazy that this sort of surgery is A) so common and B) how quickly they discharge the patients. I mean, my man IS a former Marine, so he IS tougher than most, but for real? He needs some nurse supervision with walking, getting outta bed, eating, etc. Which is where I come in....and there may be some extra entertainment for the guy

California Love

LBC up in the hizzzouse! Long Beach for you non crip walkin readers. Our family unit took a quick trip to Long Beach while Nick had a week long vacation from work. We've packed in so many things in the 1 week, but Long Beach was definitely a part of it that sticks out.

We left at the super bright and early time of 3:15AM, which means I had to wake up at 2:15 AY-EM...ya.....

Our itinerary was simple:

Wednesday

- Drive straight to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach (HIGHLY rated online and right on the pier)

- Lunch on the beach

- Check into our hotel for naps

- Dinner somewhere on the pier

- Go walk on the beach, then back to the hotel for bed

Thursday:

- Check out early at 7:30...

- COFFEE!!!!

- On the road to visit Nick's Gma and Grandad

It was such a packed 2 days. To and From Long Beach, it's about 7 hours each way. No way would I have been able to do such a great driving job as Nick. I am way too much of a sassafrass to pay attention to the road when Im sleepy

And without further ado, some picky pics!

I couldn't not get this sunset painted by the greatest artist

Miles and miles and miles and miles and miiiiiles of this type of scenery

Stopped for breakfast (and COFFEE!) and some "how garbage trucks work" lessons

The last exit before hopping on the famous "Grapevine"

We made it to the aquarium! Getting to touch the jellies. All I could think of was Finding Nemo

Mr. Crab

This was cool. A scuba diver was in this giant floor to ceiling tank and had a mic on him and was talking to these school kids

Penguins being cute, but boring

This was hilarious, this fish was seriously sizing up this army of crabs. The crabs all had their tentacles out like they were ready for battle and this fish was no lie giving them the "Im about to eat someone" look.

T Money was seriously in awe of all these fish. The display windows were HUGE and really pretty, so it's perfect for a toddler. Every window we went to was greeted with a gasp and "LOOK!!!" by him.

Sea horse! *Random note: when I was younger, I wanted to be a mermaid and ride a seahorse. Little did I know they're itty bitty...and mermaids have fins, clearly, I would be able swim for myself*

Checking out the sea lions

Petting some baby reef and hammerhead sharks

As you can tell, he was more interested in sizing up the next display window of fish and had no time to look at the camera

This was his FIRST TIME EVER seeing/touching the ocean and sand. Only other time was when we were in Mexico and he was 3 months old and he obviously can't remember that. He was a little skeptical, hence daddy dragging holding his hand

AND HE LOVED IT!!!! *Side Note: see those 2 people in the water and you see how there are lights coming on that island? It's CLEARLY getting dark and if you're an avid Shark Week watcher like myself, you KNOW, this is feeding time for sharks. You will also know, they generally come close to shore for feeding time. Have these people never watched SW? Or even Jaws!? Get outta the water, you yahoo's!*

This kid does NOT want pictures, he wants to play and run amuck on this funny stuff they call sand

I can't even explain why he's walking this way. The ocean was doing things to him. He was hilarious with how he was walking and getting all excited about the waves.

T Money, the Pacific Ocean, and Long Beach

Los Angeles. I could just FEEL how many celebrities I was amongst ;) 

Be jealous of this L.A. traffic. This seriously lasts from 6am-noon errr'day.

Someone was over the car and just ready to go home

She's just being Miley

Monday. 

So I want to discuss what we're ALL talking about. Hannah Montana Miley Cyrus. Now, I recorded the VMA's because *some* hot piece of hiney was hogging the TV playing some XBOX. However, once I was seeing people blowing up FB and all the celeb gossip sites about this chick, I just had to go see what they were talking about. So I logged onto PerezHilton.com and there was the clip

You guys? I mean...I just........ The Smith's had my reaction PEGGED 

I am right there with you, Smith Clan. I felt every.single.one.of.these.reactions. Shock, disgust, confusion, embarrassment for Miley. 

Now dolls, listen. I am NOT a prude, scouts honor. But, Miley...girlfriend, I was so embarrassed for you. You want to shed this Hannah Montana, Disney, good girl image, and create a whole new you in the land of Hollyweird. I get that & I can respect that. But what's up with the raunchy stuff? Like the foam finger going down to your lady parts and that tongue?! We get it, you have a long pink tongue that you can rub the side of your cheek with. I seriously felt like you were trying way too hard with that. I dont understand your need to OVERSEXUALIZE yourself. Hey, Britney did it in 2001. She let the whole world know she was not a girl, not yet a woman. She taught us how to dance in a an abandoned warehouse, sweating up a storm, while telling men everywhere how we want to take back feminine rights be slaves. The difference is, she wasn't doing things that pushed the line on what would be deemed appropriate for even a 30 year old to watch. I feel like you're just trying way too hard to be this "can't stop, wont stop, I love all the haters, watch me stick out my tongue and make out with a teddy bear and STILL be engaged to a hot normal guy", that you're not even entertaining. It just doesn't make sense to me. Twerking? Sure, makes sense. Hell, I've been practicing my twerk since you've made it so popular. And I LOVE "Can't Stop". One of my main workout jams. Shoot, Ill select it when Im feel just sassy & am alone in the car. But the making out with the bears, the oversized baby dolls, the foam finger all over Robin Thicke's junk? Yaaaaaa.....it just doesn't make sense to me. And while we're talking about you rubbing over Robin Thicke and twerking your backside on him: Where was Liam?!?!?! I know Robin's wife, Paula Patton, is fine with his antics, but ummm...is Liam? From one married woman to soon to be married woman, Nick would have me locked up once I got off that stage if I was rubbing on Mr. Thicke. 

But I guess, you're just being Miley. Anyone else feel like me?

Raise your glass if you're ready for Fall

Ello' lovelies. I was gonna post about how hot I am. Not the way you're thinking, I mean actual temperature hot. Ya see, our A/C busted and it's been quite the pain in the ass adventure getting our Home Warranty to nail down a dependable Heating & Air Company to fix it. Oh and did I mention it was 105 yesterday? And muggy? How about how it's cooled down to a frigid 79 degrees a night?

Yeaaaa....moving on.....

If you gals havent downloaded Katy Perry's new single, Roar, I HIGHLY recommend it. It reminds me of a female version of "Eye of the Tiger". Maybe that's because there is a line in there that says, "I am the eye of the tiger..." ? That just MIGHT make you think of the famous Rocky anthem ;-) But seriously, if you're ever having a down day where you feel like the worst mother/wife/woman or you just can't push through that last leg of your cardio? Katy Perry is where its at. She makes you feel all kinds of good and powerful. 

I sway in my blue jeans...

10 points for anyone who knows the song that my title pertains to. Here's a hint: the singer has to do with this post....

This should NOT surprise any of you long time followers of mine. When I married the Nickmesiter, I also married the Denver Broncos. Nick loves em'. Whenever we fly out to Denver to see my MIL, we catch a Denver game, it's a lot of fun. And I've also grown to love them and gotten to know they players (side note: if we could not trade players, that'd be awesome cause then I wouldn't have to relearn people). Anywhoooot, I discovered Jessie James awhile ago, can't remember how. I think I heard Eric Decker was dating (they are now married) a country music star, Jessica James, and youtube'd her. I ended up liking her, and make it a regular occurrence to shake a tale feather to her Pandora station while I get ready in the mornings. She's this sassy, GORGEOUS, Southern bell who keeps it real, and he is a star on my team - its a win win for me. PLUUUUUUS, Im a reality tv junkie, so it's a given, Im going to like this show. Im gonna TRY to get Nick to watch it with me, but suuuursly doubt he will. His loss, right? It premieres September 29th on E! since I know y'all are reality tv junkies like moi. ts like Jessie and Eric KNEW it was my birthday weekend (my birthday is the 27th wink wink). They're like, "Happy Birthday, Karli, here is another reality show that we swear isn't staged". 

Weekend Wrap Up

Am I the only one who's noticing how its staying a bit more dark in the mornings? Normally when I get home from the gym (5:30am ish), the sun is somewhat lighting up the sky. No so much this morning and you know what? Im friggin THRILLED! Seriously, this Summer has been fantastic and laid back, but I will be happy as a clam with red and yellow leaves and a crisp wind blowing. And y'all know what happens after Fall?Winter!!! CHRISTMAS!!!!! That's right, I said it! It's roughly 4 months away...let that sink in for a second. I am one of the biggest Christmas lovers you'll ever meet. Im "that girl" who decorates for it the day after Thanksgiving (if I can contain myself even that long)

me too, Honey Boo Boo...me too.

However, it is still Summer time, and I intend to drink in every ray of sunshine (and pool cocktail), until it gets too cold. This weekend I did exactly that. We went...CAMPING! With my parents, which honestly I was nervous about. I love my parents, but I'd never been camping with them as an adult, so I was a teensy bit leery. But it went great! So great in fact, we want to make it a tradition every year. We went to a place called Sly Park Lake which is a big hit around these parts. I am shocked I'd never been there, its only about 30-35 minute drive from my house, but its BEAUTIFUL! People are on boats, kayaks, their just floating around on tubes, kids have shallow places to play, its great. 

Throwing me the laid back look on our way 

Taking a page out of my good friend, Willie Robertson's style book

Seriously the best site! That was our view of the lake

 Day at the lake with my little man

He just wouldn't give up that chip bag...

Its a tough life...

 The entire trip, if you looked at Troy, he had his fishing pole. Im seeing big things fish in his future

Okay, y'all, ready for your mind to be blown? Replace the Hersey with a Reese's PB cup on a smore. Thank you, Pinterest!! This will always be a must for me and my camping days now.

Starting the campfire for the night

CHEERS!!! My mom's face describes this weekend perfectly :)

Obsessions

Ahhhhhhh yeaaaaa, boi! It's Hump Day, y'all! Not that you did not already know this. I know you dolls are just like me and love knowing we're half way through this week! 

And woah, holy last day of July, am I right? It's almost August and you know what that means....we're almost to my birthday month, September, bay bay! But for reals, I love Summer and all, but mama also loves her scarf/legging/boot weather. Fall is my FAVORITE. Hands down. If you've been a long time follower, I shall spare you the repeat on facts. Y'all know I love it already. (Side note: should I do a Q&A about myself for the newbies? Maybe a refresher course for the long time followers?)

So this is a topic I've been mulling over for a bit: Body image and what exactly I want. Im gonna link this up with Miss Skinny Meg (Now known as Preggy Meg) since this is workout related.....

Let me start from the beginning real quick: In 2007/2008ish I started my weight loss journey. I  started walking on my treadmill @ my apartment complex every morning for about an hour. Then started the workout Dvds such as 30 Day Shred (Silly Jilly is my bestest frenemy), Biggest Loser Bootcamp, Yoga, etc.  I signed up with sparkpeople.com to track calories & joined a gym, did cardio and some light weights. I lost about 25-30lb's. 

Now, fast forward to today. I am a bit more educated in the nutrition and workout department. I got my PT certification and became passionate about working out. It changed my life. Now, I am in the gym switching up my cardio between HIIT and steady states of cardio and Im lifting heavy 3-4 times a week. My diet is what I'd say 80/20 clean ratio because its what works for me. 

As y'all know, Im on Instagram (follow me! ktaylor84) . I follow a lot of VERY motivational women and accounts that are sure to make me push it harder in the gym with their images burned in my brain. A lot of these women are figure/bikini competitors and are ON POINT with their diets and workouts. Their meals are calculated to the 'T' and there are no days off for them. If I was going to be on stage, I would be making sure no crap passed my lips either. But here's the thing....Im not going on any stage (this was decided after a talk with the hubs...I would like to do it one day, but he's just not ok with it and I can respect it). So these women, I get MAJOR workout tips from. I also would get eating ideas from them. So I started to eat SUPER healthy just like them. Think: lightly seasoned ground turkey, tilapia, broccoli, asparagus, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, egg whites, brown rice, etc. And while I STILL do eat these things on a weekly basis, it became an UNHEALTHY addiction for me on how much I stressed. I was so concerned over making sure I ate only these things, that it was becoming an obsession. I was also becoming cranky because I felt like I could never eat crap food and sorry Im not sorry, I love me some junk. 

Nick would want Chinese food or Taco Bell or pizza (things I LOVE) for dinner, and I would get anxiety because I felt like all my hard work was going down the drain & I was going to ruin those abs, and I was going to gain 10lbs, and blah blah blah. Obviously these things are TOTAL & COMPLETE splurges/cheat meals/gut bombs or whatever you wanna call them, but they're foods I will be faced with my whole life. My husband isn't a gym rat like me & I love him, so why is it fair that I be a stick in the mud because I want to eat uber strict and he doesn't? Plus, I really did want that pizza! That's when I had to have a little heart to heart with myself about the anxiety. I had to be practical. I am NOT a competitor, never will be (unless Nick has a change of heart haha), I could NOT go without having wine or beer (hello, Im a MOM! Need something to take that edge off the day), I LOVE eating and I LOVE Taco Bell. I will never ever stop eating that. Sorry if that makes some people cringe, but I love it. I also work my ass off in the gym and eat really clean on the weekdays. I eat what those competitors eat M-F, but my dinners are something Nick will like, and I sometimes have a glass of wine or a beer.  And if Nick wants junk food or if, gasp, *I* want those junk foods during the week? I have them! In moderation, but I have them. The life I lead, doesn't require me to have minimal body fat, so Im not too worried about it. Would it be nice to have those bodies I see? Sure! But how I eat/workout now, I dont feel deprived or stressed out, which makes momma a happy panda.

So realizing all these bullet helped me sort of calm down. I think some of us tend to get so wrapped up in what other people are doing and seeing so much success, that we fail to realize what's happening in their life, doesn't pertain to ours. What works for someone else, may not work for you. Its all about balance.