Pandora 90s Pop.

My heart never knew such bliss.

I made an commitment to myself in 2009 not to listen to secular music except when exercising (or developing a fitness routine). I pretty much have stuck to that commitment - though I do intersperse Country music as my "treat" (lately it's become more of a regular than a treat though - I love country music!).

Occassionally, I will pop in a secular CD while I'm driving home from work - i.e. Justin Timberlake or Mario. Nerd! Because some days I just need a pop in my step and this does the trick. I have been doing it more lately though, or just not listening to music at all, because I'm sick of everything! I'm kind of sick of Christian "positive hits" music, to be honest.

I love worhip music and I love artists like David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, and Britt Nicole. But some days I really can't stand the repeats and slow tempos.

Then I met Pandora.

I'm sure I'm behind in "discovering" this. I've known about it for a few years now, but really started opening the doors to it these past few months.

My current new fetish is the 90s pop station. It brings me back, yo. Back to the 90s, to high school, to my messy room with the candles and odd red lamp hanging from the wall where I danced for hours to Real McCoy, Hanson, and Ace of Base.

Currently playing as I write? Boyz II Men, Motownphilly. Helloooo 8th grade skate rink?!

What I love about it is the variety of songs and how it morphs my brain to nostalgia of old. Camping trips witih friends when I thought I was cool with my pager (remember those?!), proms, cheerleading and softball practices, and bus rides. Don't get me wrong, the jams are repeititve too, especially when it comes to Lisa Loeb, Counting Crows, and The Cardigans, but I cannot help my state of euphoric reminisce when I hear them play.

For some reason, I can justify this station, this music, more than I can listening to the [mostly] junk on 99.5 and others. Though I gotta give it up to Macklemore. Straight perfect workout beats!

Songs today are so trashy. And I can't believe people can get away with singing - or talking - what they do. In today's day and age, especially, I'm finding myself having to be extra careful with my son too. The cover of one Rihanna's latest album, Unapologetic, has her bare naked boobs on it covered up by her elbow and some text, which is currently on my husband's iPad that he plays with. Thank God for password protection so we can monitor what he does. What is this world coming to? Honestly...

I heart Christian music, but I also enjoy upbeat pop for workouts, and my 90s pop for a good throwback. It is what it is. My gut's in check and God is my King.

Getting our groove on.

This morning it is raining. I am sitting here with Levi and we are watching Elmo and waiting for dada to get up. He took the day off - I was so excited! It was a total surprise. I love it when he does that.

I'm not sure what we're planning to do today. For starters, we'll probably get Levi's hair cut (though I do not want to, but I will admit he needs a slight trim).

I really hate when you have a whole day to do anything you want and it RAINS. It seems like rain is all we have seen this summer.

I've been recording a lot of movies lately. "Just Friends, Just Married, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," and one of my favorites, "Something Borrowed." One of my favorite things to do at night after Levi goes to bed is grab a glass of wine and relax on the couch with a good movie. I've usually seen them all, but no matter how much I watch them I can never get enough.

The chapter I'm just finishing up in my GFI studies is on Pregnancy and Exercise. It's amazing how seasons in your life come in clusters and everything becomes relative to eachother. Right now, I have a lot of either a) friends trying to get pregnant, b) friends who are pregnant, or c) friends who just had a baby. So it's funny to be reading about pregnancy and exercise and learning the pros, cons, and contraindications. I love pregnancy (though I hated peeing literally every 5 mins) and think it is one of the most amazing things in the world.

I'm learning a lot. But I have to admit that reading my book is not the first thing I want to do when Levi goes down for his nap.

Usually when Levi goes down for his nap (and I'm home on a weekday or weekend) the first thing I'll do is get my workout in. I go for a bout 30-40 mins. Since the weather's been nice, and particularly in the summer, I will work out in the garage. I love having a garage for this reason. It makes for dirty hands when I'm doing pushups or something of that sort, but it's a perfect space to indulge.

After my workout if he's still asleep, I will usually come in and read and study my GFI book for about an hour or so. And by the time I'm finished cooling down, eating an orange (standard post-workout snack!), and reading he's awake.

This age that we are at with him has really been the perfect stage for me to be able to become more strategic with accomplishments, plans, and getting organized. Since our daily routines are so structured at this point - though I must admit nap times and bed times get screwy - success in these areas has been more prominent throughout our daily living.

For example, I'm able to get laundry folded during Elmo time, or write this blog. In the past, I'd have to wait until he was down for a nap because I'd be chasing him while he crawled on the floor. And while it may still be hard since he pulls me to "go" everywhere, I can finally come to a point now where I say, "No, mommy is busy, let me finish and I'll go with you in a minute."

Or, for another example, while he's eating his breakfast I can now plan meals, get meals prepped, work on a grocery list, or unload the dishwasher.

While he is the epitome of a normal toddler at least these more structured times allow me to be more strategic and organized in my planning with things around the house. They give me time to get things done without feeling like I'm always "missing out" on something new he did or learned.

This is a common pose during TV time.

I also just scored these two chairs at a yard sale yesterday for his table where he colors. Now he can eat snacks and lunch there so he doesn't always have to sit in the high chair. It truly is a pleasure to see him walk through all these phases of learning and discovering life and new stages - by the way that pose only lasted for a second until he was off to something else! LOL.

 

One thing I love about him right now is that he loves loves loooooves to dance, sing, and play "songs." I'm really trying to let him discover that as much as possible because I don't know how long it will last or whenhis carefree spirit about dancing all the time will end. I hope it never does!

It's crazy how once you have a child you want everything for them to just be as happy as they are and never change. And that all you could ever ask for is the best for them.

And that is where I think faith in the Lord steps in!

On that "note" I'm hoping Isaac gets up soon or I'm going for another cup of coffee...

PS - I am making Chicken Scallopini tonight. Yum!

Talk soon friends!

Our ever-brewing summer and a gentle reminder.

July ended with our annual yard sale. While it was fun, it unfortunately did not go as well as planned so we are having a "redo" on August 31st at mom's house. (If you know anyone who needs clothes, we have a bunch.)

Mimi was here to visit for several weeks and left earlier this month. As always, she and Levi had a blast playing together.

 We bought Levi a training potty (Elmo, of course) and have been moving in the direction of trying to get him to use it.

 

We've also been trying to get him to use a spoon. It's makes for a big cleanup job afterwards!

 

I've been having fun around the house. I changed up some picture frames and have been looking for specific bedroom decor.

In relation to fitness, I have been feeling better than ever! Though I have been having a lull over the past week. It's those moments where you're tired and sore, but you know you have to keep pushing through...

I forgot my sports bra at work today and was annoyed! So the girls and I went to Milwaukee Custard instead. LOL. ... I have been working to create nutrition plans for friends and family. I created one for a friend at work who wants to lose some weight and eat healthier. We are going to get her measurements today and start tracking progress. I'm hoping it goes well. I'm also going to be working on one for a family member. I'm not an expert at all, but I do feel like I've learned a lot and gained a lot of knowledge over the past year about eating habits, healthy foods, and nutrition. I've also been steadily developing fitness workouts for my co-workers and I to do at lunch. It's been a blast leading them. It's hard for me to separate friendship vs. "coach" mode - I think it'll be easier when I teach fo-real fo-real classes on my own. Oh yeah, I'm studying for my Group Trainer Certification :). My test is in October. I'm quite nervous. I've heard it's hard.

I also detoxed twice. Pee central!

We went to Signal Hill Park pool a week or so ago. It was fun but a bit windy. Levi was shivering!

 

I took Levi to lunch with Gramie (i.e. Maxine) on Sunday. He started actually calling her Gramie! Time has flown.



And I got a hankering to bake a bunch this past weekend (mostly for snacks to have on hand). I made bluebery muffins...

 

Cheesy Egg and Spinach Muffins. I subbed broccoli for spinach and added onion and peppers.

 

 

And made peanut butter hershey kiss cookies. A little bready, but still good!

 

We've been playing outside some.

And baths are more frequent in the summer as a result. 

 

Love this muffin of mine.

 

 

 

Oh and my sweet friend Leslie had her first baby! 

 

 

I wanted to end this post by telling you that I'm so overwhelmed by God's grace. Particularly in moments, circumstances and ways I least expect it.

Ocassionally Often I get frustrated with Levi when he doesn't listen to me. Beginnings of disobedience and ignoring us from instruction has started. He is still a pretty good boy and I can already see lots of manners underway and adherence to our direction, but I also see him taking his freedom into consideration when we ask him to do something.

When I was giving him a bath last night I asked him to stand up so I could wash him and when I tried to help him up to do so he curled his legs so that they would not rest on the floor like I needed them to. I got frustrated saying "Stand UP!" I said this a few times until I finally let it go and set him back down.

Afterward, I was mad at myself for getting mad! I felt it and I knew inside there was a gentler way I could have handled it.

Immediately following my setting him back in the tub he took his hand and shook it up and down in a manner as if it to say "calm down mom!" and has he did this he repeated "Ok? Ok? Ok?" looking right at me.

It was in a such an innocent and sweet manner that I could hardly stand his sweet face. Rather than getting scared, or fearful, or worried about my temper he simply gestured me to "calm down mom. ok?" At least that's how I interpreted it.

What a word from the Lord for me in that moment. Levi's purity and calm reserve in that moment was a signaled whisper from the Lord teaching me that even through little eyes and mouths His voice can be heard.

I'm so thankful for my family and for the humility and light I already see in my son! I think he gets it from his dada. :)

Later this month we'll be going to a Redskin's game (thanks Mimi for watching Levi!) and I am going to try my hand (hopefully) at a peach cobbler (compliments of Nonny and Big's peach tree).

Talk to you soon!