30 DAYS PALEO... HERE WE GO!!!

Ive decided to do it!! Im jumping on the Paleo bandwagon and Im pretty damn excited about it (keep in mind this is day 1). I have lost about 20-25 lbs but my body is still not where I want it to be so in a last ditch effort I thought.. why not? As a serious carb addict, Im pretty convinced this will be the hardest damn thing I have ever done but Im up for a challenge AND the hubs is doing it  with me!!! YAY, for a support network!!!

Im not feeling too deprived at this moment but again.. its day 1. Heres what Im thinking I will miss
1. Diet Coke/ Coke Zero. (Im a one a day drinker)
2. Creamer in my coffee. Today I substituted with Almond milk. Its doable but definitely NOT the same.
3. Chocolate.. because who wouldnt miss chocolate?
4. Alcohol on the weekends.
5. Sandwiches...

But I got this..... Stay tuned for bitching and hopefully amazing results. :)

Just some thoughts....

What happened in CT is heartbreaking. Losing a Child is in my opinion the worst thing that could happen to a parent and I'm deeply saddened for these families. With that being said, we the people are the problem. It's not guns and it's not because we don't allow god in our schools. We as people have abandoned morals,values, honesty, kindness, and love. Parents have become lazy. We no longer teach our children the value of life, respect for others, and the importance of giving back to society. Instead we teach them to love things not people, that more is always better, and that people who are different are somehow less than.

What can we expect in a world that has lost it's values? We can expect a world that's deeply in debt, a world that is always in conflict, and people who will act irrationally because they don't value another human beings life or their own for that matter. We are not vigilant. When tragedy strikes due to one persons hand, we find there were always signs that lead up to the act. The person was withdrawn, a loner, etc,etc. It is our job as a society and as parents to be aware of the signs and try to intervene in some way. If your child shows signs of being a loner, withdrawn, or "different", it's your job to get to the root of the problem whether you do it personally or professionally.

I feel sorry for my kids; they have far too much to worry about. When I was a kid, we worried about getting grounded for a bad grade or being out past curfew. Kids today are worried about the world ending, zombie apocalypses, and whether or not their school is safe from shooters. It's sad! If we as Americans don't wake the fuck up and realize the real root of the problem we will be doomed. We as people will take each other out, our country will no longer be considered a powerhouse, and we will continue to be victims of such heinous crimes. I think it's time to change.... Really change.

Semper Paratus... Always ready

Hurricane Katrina, Southeast Asia Tsunami relief, Drug interdiction, Migrant interdiction; the Coast Guard is always ready. In times of disaster and tragedy, they are often first on the scene. When stranded at sea, you can be assured that these men and women are doing their best to rescue you. They are ALWAYS READY. 

In the wake of this weeks tragic helicopter crash, the men and women of the Coast Guard are ready. They are ready to bring their missing brothers home. They are ready to fly day and night. They are ready to comfort each other in the midst of tragedy. They are ready to do what they do best... they are ready to work together as a family.

I am not your typical military wife, I do not base my worth or identity on my husband's career. His rank is not my rank. His time in service is not my time. I am my own person, I have my own career. I have done my own time, with that being said, words cannot express how proud I am to be a Coastie wife. The Coast Guard knows what family means. Its a special family, a family chosen not made. A family who has come to my rescue during holidays when I  missed  my immediate family. A family that came to my husbands rescue when his dad was on life support. A group of people who are always ready to take you in as part of their family.  I am truly moved by the way they come together.

My heart hurts for those families who's loved ones are missing. I cant imagine the pain they are going through right now. I only hope that they find comfort in knowing they are surrounded by this gigantic family. A family who is always ready to rescue them by listening, by comforting, and by just being there. I love my Coast Guard family!!!! 

Parents Who are Proud of Themselves!!

Why do parents feel the need to log onto facebook to post what great parents they are? I'm seeing this more and more, and quite frankly I'm disgusted. Anyone who has to announce "I'm the greatest parent in the world" isn't. Great parents don't know they're great, in fact great parents often feel like they're never great enough. I will brag all day long about my children's accomplishments but you will NEVER see ME post a comment about what a great mom I am. 

Don't get me wrong, I think I'm a decent mom and I've met way worse than I, but I am not foolish enough to think I'm great. Every night after my children are in bed I think about whether I was a  "good enough" mom for the day. Did I really listen to them when they told me about their day or was I distracted by my phone, the dogs, or the dirty house? Some days I'm fortunate enough to say I have listened, other days... not so much. Everyday I reflect back on whether or not a showered them with enough hugs, kisses, and I love you's. Some days I'm satisfied and some days I'm not.  Every night before I fall asleep I vow to do better. I vow to be a better mom tomorrow than I was today. When the reality is........ I will never feel like I have been a perfect parent. Its just an impossible task.

That's why these "bragging parents" kill me. They don't brag about the kids, nope, they brag about their parenting skills. I can say that those I know personally, are bragging out of insecurity. One parent goes on and on to brag how he is a single dad and has raised his daughter when the reality is his daughter has only lived with him for 6 months and up until that point he's never been a stable fixture in her life. He was too busy screwing around on her mother. Gimme a break; get over yourself! The only people who can attest to your parenting skills are your children! If your children become well rounded, well mannered, successful adults who know how to live, love, and laugh, then and only then, may you give yourself a pat on the back. However, that pat would be much more meaningful if that child you raised was the one giving it to you; that my friends means you not only have done your job, but you did it awesomely!

New Year......Bring on the Improvements!

I'm totally stoked its a new year. It's so refreshing to feel like you have been given a do-over and since we only get one a year, I take mine pretty seriously. I have carefully considered  for days what things I would like to do differently in 2012. I know some will be disappointed that I haven't chosen to do over my cynical attitude or my crazy ability to judge everyone I encounter. Sorry folks,I believe in only resolving to change things that are possible, neither of these two are at all a possibility because ,well without them, I just wouldn't be the Stacie you all know and love. In 2012, I will still be the girl u can come to when u want the truth, not the sugar coated version, but the hard core truth. ;)

When I make my resolutions, I think of things that would make not only myself happier,but things that will make my family happier too. With that said, I've decided 2012 will be the year I make myself and my family eat clean. You know what I mean right? Proteins,veggies, fruit, and zero /zilch stuff that comes from a box. It's going to be hard as hell and I'm pretty sure my family, especially my candy loving kids, will hate me for sure so I decided to ease the blow allowing 1 meal/snack a week in which they may have whatever they want. One day they will thank me for this. I have also resolved to be more active as a family. We love the outdoors but haven't been very outdoorsy since moving to Alabama,possibly because 6 months out of the year it's Africa hot.

I'm trying not to sweat the small stuff, this will be my most difficult task. I'm thinking I shall adopt the motto of living for today. I plan to start my day with the saying "live today like its your last". I mean quite frankly we just never know, do we? My luck ,I will die on the day I decided to freak out on my entire family because they're not OCD freaks like me. I just can't have that. It's going to take HUGE amounts of reminding but I CAN do it!

Lastly, I need to make a career resolution. This one hasn't come easy because I am a hot mess when it comes to my career. Everyone thinks my job is so interesting and well it was interesting to me once too, about 10 years ago. Now it's rather monotonous and I'm super bored. I feel as if I have somewhat mastered it. Time to move on. I'm just not so sure what to move on to. I want a career where there is variation. A career where moving up the ladder is a feasible option. So I know what I want overall out of a career just need to decide if i should go back to school and more importantly what for? This year, I plan on doing some serious soul searching and if you all have any career recommendations for me, i will gladly consider them. I'm hoping by next year, I will be able to report a career change.

 I have a really good feeling about this year, better than previous years. I'm hoping my "feelings" are right. :)

Christmas is OVER.. Let the New Year Begin!!!

Christmas was a huge success at the Smith household. Everyone was happy and I was fortunate enough to score an Ipad from my dear hubby, :) While the holiday was perfect, I'm soooo glad its over. We spend a good solid month stressing about what to get people and how much to spend. I for one go over my "set limit" EVERY year. As much as we put into it, it is still over in a matter of 30 minutes. I know you all know what I'm talking about. How do kids tear through all that damn wrapping paper so fast? I cant wait until my kids KNOW I'm the one buying, maybe then my 7 year old will think before she gives me her Christmas list totaling items over 1000.00 bucks. Even if she doesn't, I will be allowed to rebuke "Are you out of your effing mind?" LOL. 

Now its on to the New Year and I am highly enthused about that. The end of December is a time to reflect on all the things that went wrong during the year and what we want to change in the upcoming year.. Ah, resolutions. I for one LOVE resolutions.I took a look back at my 2011 resolution blog. While I didn't exactly list out my resolutions, I did state some changes I would like to make. How did I stack up you ask? Surprisingly, not too bad. Like many of you, I aimed to lose weight in 2011, and I did. That's right, I made the gym a HABIT and watched what I ate MOST of the time. The results yielded a 15 lb weight loss. HOORAY ME! I promised to make more time for me in 2011 and I also did that! I learned this year that I love to write, I love to bake, and I love feeling fit. I love the handful of close friends that I have and have tried to have more one on one time with them. I have also made date nights a priority with Jason and as a result, we have become even closer than before(yes, that's possible). 


Alongside my resolution successes are my resolution failures. My biggest failure this year was career related. If you can remember my 2011 resolution blog, I went on and on about feeling so lucky to have a job, so fortunate that I bluntly stated I would no longer complain about my job. HAHAHA. Really, that resolution lasted at best, 2 months. What can I say? I have career related issues as in .... I don't know what I wanna be when I grow up. :) (This is not where you chime in to tell me that I am grown up;I'm fully aware)


So I'm thinking.... thinking of changes Id like to make in 2012. You'll just have to wait till the next blog to find out what they are. :)

Thankful

Is it just my observation or do the rest of you notice a more profound number of people expressing their thanks this year? I logged onto Facebook today and saw at least 20 posts of people listing things they are thankful for. I guess its not all that uncommon, but this year I feel people really ARE thankful. Their words seem genuine. Maybe Americans are a little humbled this year, I know I for one am definitely humbled. So without further a do, here is my Thankful List.

• I'm incredibly thankful to have found my soul mate and lucky enough to have married him.
• I'm thankful for my daughter, she is vibrant, funny, smart, and most important, healthy.
• I'm thankful for my son, who is a mini me. He has the biggest heart of any child I've ever met.
• I'm an thankful for my parents, without them I would not be who I am today.
•  I'm thankful for my mother's wonderful listening skills and her wise advise. 
• I'm thankful for my siblings who make it easy to be "mom's favorite". LOL
• I'm thankful for my friends. Its nice to have somewhere to turn when your husband and mother are sick of you.
• Although I often complain of its monotony,I'm thankful to have a career that makes it possible to provide for my family and at the same times provides me with an opportunity to help people. 
• I'm thankful to have a relationship with god that is not dictated by any organization.
• I'm thankful for my health. 

I'm sure I'm thankful for more, but these are some of the top things weighing on my mind lately. Its unfortunate people use one day out of the year to say their thanks out loud. We should all be expressing our thanks through words and actions on a daily basis. I hope all of you have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!