Twenty One Days

For twenty one days, I am committed to eating clean and healthy. For twenty one days, I am committed to working out (sorry, I already skipped 1 but quickly made up for it in the gym). For twenty one days, I will drink Shakeology, a fantastic shake packed with essential vitamins and super foods that will give me energy and keep my body fed for hours. It seriously tastes like a chocolate milkshake and I LOVE it!

 

This program has been exactly what I need. It helps to provide a visual measurement of serving sizes and gives my body the fuel it needs for my daily 30 minute work outs.

 

This picture was my first day back at the gym after many attempts. I love that Ray encourages and supports my work outs. It is something fun that we do together before picking up baby girl. My goal includes my daily 30 minute work out provided by 21 Day Fix but also a few extra days at the gym lifting weights and doing cardio.

 

I have to say I love her encouragement. "You can do anything for 60 seconds." (which I totally can.) It also tells you to think about it one work out at a time. "You can't wish for it. You got to work for it."

 

 {My work out gear}

 

So in an effort to support and encourage others as well as continue my own efforts, I wanted to make a list of details.

 

- Getting up at 4:45AM has been my answer. I typically have a pity party for 10 minutes and give myself a pep talk into getting up. 5AM workouts are great! Once I'm up, I'm pumped. Then I get to drink shakeology which is like having  a chocolate milkshake for a breakfast or snack. Yum!

- I get lots of food. 3 green containers of veggies, 2 purple containers of fruit, 4 red containers of protein (1 being Shakeology), 1 yellow container of pasta/grain, 1 blue container of nuts or cheese, and 1 orange container of seeds, sauces, etc. and 2 tablespoons.

- It's all pretty amazing and delicious. I'm super excited about trying recipes from pinterest.

- Water is so healthy and good. Plus it fills you up!

Little Girl Giggles and Little Girl Wiggles

{Big girl Chucks}

From birth our sweet girl has been on the move. This post details all of little Miss's sweet moments this past week.

 

{Big Girl Stroll'n... first trip in the stroller as a big girl}

 {Our little dinner Diva}

 {Memorial Day weekend Park Fun
No summer time blues here!} 

 {Daddy Daughter Dancing- our sweet sweepy girl}

 

{Auby is helping Mommy do the laundry} 

 {Upstairs Play Time
She loves her Sophie}

 

 {Needless to say she's not a fan of her strawberry, apple, and beet baby food combo:( } 

 {She loves MUSIC! Right now we are definitely in the hit it as loud as you can or just eat the mallet} 

 

{She loves to pull up, sit down, pull up, sit down... it's a game}

 {Love those two pearly whites... Mommy finally got a good picture of them}

 {Sending love to Oma before Bible Study}

 {Picnics and park dates with the cutie}

 {So thankful she LOVES this ear infection medication. This makes our job so much easier}

 {Baby ballerina shoes... still too big;) She'll grow into them shortly}

{Upstairs playtime}

 

With only a two short weeks of school... 9 days to be exact for the kids and 11 for teachers, I have loved spending this last week and long weekend soaking up the fun with my two loves. So here's to more picnics, parks, and play times. 

 



Heather's Story, God's Grace, and a Battle with Mesothelioma

This week I have had the distinct privilege of meeting a very special person. Heather Von St. James is a wife, mother, and eight year cancer survivor. Just a few months after giving birth to her beautiful baby girl, she was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. But she has beaten the odds. Each and every day she embraces life. Her goal is to share her story, to inspire others, and help families and those affected by this terrible disease.

God has brought our two lives together to share such an important message. It is an absolute privilege and honor. So please if you will take a moment to hear her miraculous story.

"At age 36, just 3 1/2 months after my first and only child, Lily, was born, I was diagnosed with mesothelioma and given 15 months to live. Miraculously, I beat the odds and I'm still here eight years later. Mesothelioma is considered one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers; most people are given just one year to live upon diagnosis. There is no known cure for mesothelioma and the future continues to look grim as attention to the disease as well as research funding continues to decline. The only known cause of 'meso' is exposure to asbestos, which is still not banned in the U.S. Sadly, it doesn't look like asbestos will be banned anytime soon, as there is too much money being made by using this deadly mineral.
Since May is National Cancer Search Month, I've made it my personal mission to try and spread awareness of this rare, preventable disease. The more people that know about this cancer, the more lives are potentially saved! The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance has tons of information about the disease, asbestos exposure, and is also where my husband and I blog about our journey with mesothelioma.

... 

God works in miraculous ways. While we may not always understand, God is in control. As I've said before, He is surely in the blessing business. He is the author of our stories. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to meet Heather and to help share her story. Together we can make a difference. I ask you. Will you join us and share Heather's Story.  If you would like to hear more information, please click on the link, Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Help me in posting this link , whether it is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media tool. Let's get the information out there. This is a battle that we can all fight together.

First Mommy's Day & Aggieland Visit

My first official Mommy's Day was super fun and will always hold a very special place in my heart. The day before, we had decided that we would meet Oma and Opa in College Station for Mother's Day lunch. That morning, baby girl woke early and was ready for an early morning play time. It didn't bother this mama at all. I was so ready to spend my special day with my loves.

The Friday before Mother's Day, I received this sweet hand made card from Auby at daycare. I seriously had a few tears. I am so happy for this adorable little memory and so thankful to be this little girl's mommy.

As we made our 3.5 hour trip, we got the call that my dad sadly would not be joining us, but would still be able to meet my mom at Sodalax in Snook. Aubrey slept the entire way there (the way back was a very different story;). It was a great morning to catch up with the husband. I decided to change baby girl before we made our way inside, and sadly she had an extra not so special blow out in her car seat. After a semi quick change, we grabbed some goodies for Oma and made our way inside.

{Oma and Aubrey- 7 months}

 

It absolutely melted my heart to see my baby girl and Mama together. It was such a special lunch and I am so thankful that we could share this special day all together. My fingers are still crossed for my mom and dad moving to Dallas within the next few years.

{3 generations of ladies}

 

After our lunch, great conversation, and cuddle time with the babe, my mom returned home and we made our way to Aggieland. We of course had to stop by Aggieland Outfitters for some new clothes. We bought this adorable dress in 6-9 months as well as shirts for mama and daddy. They even gave away free Aggie flip flops to mama's for Mother's Day. I was beyond excited as I had not purchased a pair the four years I attended school there. We of course made our way to Northside and then to the century tree for family photos. Enjoy some extra special pictures of my beautiful family of three. 

I loved this sweet dress on her. You may not be able to notice, but there is a small A&M logo on her left side of the dress in white. Her bow was actually a gift from my parent's doctor. I loved the way all the feathers blew in the wind. It may or may not have stuck to her face just a few times (mommy fail), but was too cute for words and such a sweet gesture.

 {Mommy Daughter picture}

 {Family of Three}

 {Our Aggie Baby- 7 months}

 {Daddy Daughter picture}

 

This picture is my absolute favorite. No she's not walking but pulling up. I just can't wait to continue these adorable pictures and to watch this little baby turn into our little lady. Her daddy is so proud!

{Mommy & Auby under the century tree}

 

I am so thankful for these two loves and celebrating an extra special Mother's Day lunch with Oma. I couldn't have asked for a better first official Mommy's Day in Aggieland.

Early May 2014

May has been so much fun month. From Mother's Day, Teacher's Appreciation Week, First Grade Fun, Family life with a seven month old, and all the fun activities in between, we have enjoyed so many memorable moments in the Zellner home. So enjoy a picture post of activities. Again there is no order to this sweet madness.

 

 

 {Baby girl with Ah-Dog}
We asked Aubrey what we should named her stuffed pup. She said, "Ahhhhh" So it is Ah-Dog:)

 

 {Look who snuck into my purse... Little Lu Lu} 

 

 {I love flowers especially those made in legos and paper}

 {Aubrey's first softball game to see my first grade girls}

 {Enjoying sweet time with baby Haley-3 weeks}

 

{Loving on my stuffties}

{Cool Jobs by my First Graders}

{First Grade Oobleck Monsters- a study of Matter}

 {Good morning smiles}

 

 

{sick baby but all smiles- double ear infection:(}

 {First high chair experience at Texas Road House}

 {First Grade ROCKS}

 

{She loves saying "da-da" 5.9.14}

{Loving on baby girl on my first official Mommy's Day}

 

 

{Happy Mother's Day Oma!}
I loved celebrating Mother's Day in College Station with my own Mama

 

{Celebrating my cousin's graduation from Seminary 5.17.14}

 {Lots of new foods and textures this month}

 

 {Pulling up in our crib: I love my mornings especially when you wake up at 8:00AM} 

 {Free Mother's Day Aggie flip flops in College Station}

 

 

 {A friendly butterfly}

 

 {Loving our banana puffs}

 

 {Watch baby girl grow- Happy 7 Months}
To see her 7 month-iversary series post, click here.

 

 {Sweet memories from my First Graders}

 

 {First days (after many attempts) back at the gym}

Daddy is the best trainer:)

 

{Ready to get this post baby body summer ready and lose my final 10 lbs}

 

 {stealing early morning kisses before PJ Day at daycare}

 

{Yogurt date with the husband}

 

I have so enjoyed these afternoon dates. Ray picks me up around 4 and we enjoy an hour or two together while baby naps at daycare (or should be napping). It's a great way to have a little bit of "us" time.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by my blog. For some of you who have asked how do I find time to do this... it is because of posts like this that I have any hope of keeping up. :) I wouldn't miss these moments for the world. I am so thankful to have a space where baby girl will be able to see her life's adventures. Here's to many more.