Roots

It still amazes me how in just a couple of short weeks, more like days, our whole life plans can completely alter. But I won't be sharing about that just yet...

One whole year has passed since we decided to start a family. I have a hard time even comprehending that fact. I feel this tiny bit of relief knowing that a year later we are much more prepared and ready to start a family. But mostly sadness, confusion, so many unanswered questions.

Taylor and I both have friends who just adopted kids after years of failed pregnancies or none at all. I never thought I would be in this position. I always heard about infertility but never realized how prevalent it was.

I have learned so much through this experience alone. But two months ago was told I need to see a fertility specialist (the closest one being in Utah). Talk about expensive, and scary. I don't think I can even comprehend all of my feelings, but I can't help but think of what I would do if I couldn't have kids, how long does it take to adopt, all of these questions swirling around in my brain. In reality there could be nothing wrong at all, but I can't help but think of the worst case scenario. 

Every one keeps telling me:

It will happen when the time is right

Well your young

Enjoy the time you have alone together

It's probably just from birth control pills (which I haven't been on for years)

But it doesn't matter my age, or the fact thats others think I am too young. The pain is still there. All of those questions about my body, my future are still there. I don't even know how to comprehend this information or what to do with all of these hopeless feelings. I have a feeling this is only the start of our journey to try and start a family...

TRX Certified

I had the honour this weekend to get TRX Certified. If you don't know what TRX is I would love to show you. It is an amazing suspension training system that takes the strain off of your joins and gets you an amazing total body functional work out. I am excited to now be offering personal TRX training sessions to my clients! It can be done in a gym or right in your home all we need is a door way.

45 Minute TRX Personal Training Sessions in home or at a gym 

Only $12

Email me to get your session set up today

phillipsfitnesstraining@gmail.com

Seeing Clearer

Going to the gym alone just totally de-junks my brain. I feel like life makes sense and I can see things for how they really are in a much more positive light. I just can't help but look back over the past year and see all that has been accomplished and be happy with my life. I had so many goals for this past year and I would dare to say that I didn't do a single one. Which might sound disappointing right? Nope! 

Instead I fulfilled new goals and dreams I had forgotten I even had or never knew I had.

-I didn't have a baby, but my husband and I have been so strengthened and there is so much love in our home waiting for when we do have a child. 

-I didn't graduate with my bachelors but instead I became a personal trainer which has been so much more fulfilling.

-I turned down a job at a gym to work retail which landed me a Managers position getting me way further into a career then expected. Only from a tiny feeling Tay and I both had.

-We wanted to get pregnant again but we couldn't and now were going to do service work in Africa!

Taylor is graduating in only four months (which was not planned) and if you know me you'll know I like to plan out my life meticulously and this was not in the plans I made. Which made me a little angry because I always think I have the perfect plan for us and when it doesn't work out the way I thought it should I get scared. But this morning I was able to look back on all the things that worked out not even close to planned. Every time we have ended up happy, healthy, and in love! So bring on the next adventure world we're ready to do anything because I know we can handle a curve ball :)

I may think I know how life should be but the Lord always had a better plan.

Reach Your Resolution!

I have reached a lot of different goals and dreams in the last year, it is so fulfilling! I want to help others reach theirs', and keep me on track along the way.

Come on over to my Fitness blog and start a free four week plan to get you fit for 2013

2012 Wrap Up

This year I have had a lot of moments where I thought, "I'm actually a grown up!"

1. When I found out I was pregnant

2. When my pregnancy ended

3. Finished school and working a full time job where I'm the boss!

Dreams I fulfilled:

1. Certified Personal Trainer

2. Graduated College

3. I always wanted to work retail, and now I manage a store (weird I know, but I love my job)

4. I lost 25 lbs

5. Finally got bangs!

Taylor favorites from the year:

1. Team Leader of the Year Award

2. Cruise to Mexico

3. Moving to D.C.

Places we have lived this year:
(in order)

Rexburg, ID

Sterling, VA

Ashburn, VA

Reston, VA

Rexburg, ID

Exciting things for 2013:

1. Service trip to Africa

I will be volunteering as a dental assistant and Taylor will be helping out around the clinic

2. Taylor graduates with his BS in Business Managment

3. Baby Phillips??

Certified Personal Trainer

When I was in about Grade 10, I would tell people that I wanted to be a personal trainer and everyone would be a little surprised. Especially since I didn't have a clue about working out at this age. I went to University forgetting about this idea I had of being a personal trainer. Then my sister reminded me of it this summer. So I went for it! At the time I was really big into working out, nutrition and was on my own journey of losing weight and getting healthy. 

It was a lot of hard work and long hours of studying at night while working a full time job. But it was so worth it! Last Wednesday I passed my finals and am now a Certified Personal Trainer.

Its official! I have my personal training certificate and my associates with an Emphasis in Health Science. It has been a little bit of a dream come true and I can't wait to share my passion with the world. In February I start my pregnancy class, and within the year I will be a Women's Specialist, specifically in pre and post natal health!

The Gift of Life

It's really late, or rather really early in the morning but I cannot sleep. I have a million things going through my mind and I hope by sharing them I can relieve this tight anxious pit that has festered inside me.

One year ago I found out my dearest friend from childhood had died. It happened quickly and it left all of us behind in shock. I felt as though my heart has been torn right from my chest. I had never had experience someone so close leaving me behind with so many questions, so many unsaid words. I love him so much, with all of his flaws, and things we disagreed on. Even though his endearing nickname for me was Barfa! We were family, best friends. My favourite memory with him was when we were really little we would stay up and watch the stars after watching hours on end of animal planet!

Somehow during this great loss of mine my maternal instinct surfaced. Losing Derek made me realize the important things in life and I had my heart set on my eternal goals. Non of those little things even seamed important anymore. Taylor and I soon after decided we wanted to start a family. A year has passed now and I still miss and love my best friend. Taylor and I still look forward to the day when we can get the blessing of starting our family, but one things I have learned this year is that everything is in the Lord's timing even when we can't make sense of the reasoning now.

I still don't understand why he had to go so soon.

I still don't know why I lost my pregnancy.

But I do know that Life is Truly a Gift.

Forgive Me

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

BOOM BOOM!

You'll have to forgive me, I'm on a business trip for work and did not prepare or bring my computer or camera so here we go with some totally lame self shots of my outfit. But it's killer cute so hopefully that makes up for it. This is my new favorite outfit and it's all Downeast. Since I'm on a business trip I had to be decked out!

Scarf: Down East
Sweater: Dropped Dots Cardi Down East
Tank: Shade clothing
Pants: Boom Boom jeans via Down East
Belt: Target

If you are trying to lose weight, gain lean muscle mass, training for a 5k or marathon you should know how much protein your body needs to help meet you goals. 

Come on over for the information you need!

Guest Fashionista: Jenaca

This is my friend Jenaca. She is the nicest most sincere person I know. I still have a dream that one day we will get to live near each other because I just love her family to pieces. 

She is a mother of two and just had her second baby girl 2 months ago. Doesn't she look amazing!?

 Shirt: Forever 21 $19.99

Jeans: Silver via Tjmaxx $29.99

Jewelry: Tia Pan Necklace $30 Earrings $15

Shoes: Nordstrom Rack $34.99

Jenaca Thanks so much for sharing your sense of style with us and at a bargain! 

Nobody is Perfect

Reflecting on how far I have come today and also realizing the huge impact my new life style has on my life.

Come on over to my fitness blog to get a little reminder that perfection is not needed!

Thrive Food Storage

This is a deal I just couldn't help but share with everyone!

Thrive foods is having a black friday sale. If you haven't heard of Thrive it is freezer dried canned foods, way cheaper then even what they are selling at Walmart. I have tasted it so I know it is yummy as well. I have been wanting to order some for about a year but never wanted to bite the bullet so I was in awe when I found out it was on sale! Something everyone should have no matter where you live.

For example I got a large cans of whole wheat flour for $5 (52 servings inside) that is cheap!

Hurry and check it out right here, ends Nov 26th

Thankful

This year has been probably one of the hardest years in a long time. We have had a death very close to my heart along with our miscarriage this summer I really thought my heart would break. But with the trails have come so many blessings. Although it was a hard year this past week I have really been able to see the Lord's hand in my life. Although sometimes I still think his plans are a little rough on the soul I know they are always better then what I would have thought up. 

• I got an amazing full time job that could make being debt free possible before we have a baby
• We get the chance to go to Africa in 3 months
• I saw how much my family cared about me even though they couldn't relate to me sometimes
• I started living a life I enjoy instead of doing what I thought was "expected" from me
• My Husband is Golden, just couldn't get any better
• I dream about my best friend I lost every night so he is always with me (This might seam weird to many but Taylor pointed out that in a way that is how I can still be with him when I miss him)

Ahh the list could go on, I can think of way too many. Our life plan is still a mystery to me, but I know that we will be blessed and with each trial we have we will only continue to love each other more and grow closer.

Holiday Reminder Top

I will have to apologize for the very late post today. And the not so great picture.

But I have a super good reason. I got a promotion at work!

After only a month of working at Down East I was made the store manager. It is a full time job, and I am in charge of EVERYTHING I mean everything. It has been a whirl wind of craziness ever since I got this new position. I have to transfer stores and learn a whole new job. Not to mention I am still in school! Currently I am working 8-10hrs a day, and doing 3-5hrs of homework everyday of the week. Life as I knew it is over!

Top: Down East Basics

Jeggings: Joe (From Down East Outfitters)

Boots: Steve Madden

Jewellery: Stella & Dot

Thats right I am the Manager and I also love my job!

** I know I am not the only one who has a tiny bit of style, I think most of my readers probably dress better then I do. So next Wednesday I want to do a post about you!! Comment with your email in the comment box and I will send you the details on how to be feature in "What She Wore Wednesdays."**

Season for Sickness

The weather is changing and it seams to be that time of year when people start to get sick. We also live in a college town which means in a month final projects are due along with comprehensive exams and I feel like this invites the sickness in as well.

By keeping your house clean this season you can help your family hopefully stay away from catching anything too nasty. I have a cleaning chart with a new task everyday for two weeks and then we start all over again. But there is one thing I wanted to chat about in particular.

Knobs. 

Yup you read right knobs! Handles, knobs, drawer pulls, all of those things that we touch over and over again every single day and most people don't think to clean them because they never look dirty. Every 14 days I make sure to sanitize all these high traffic hand touching places to make sure we aren't picking up more germs then needed. If I was completely paranoid I would do it every other day but... I'v got things to do!

Light switches.

Toilet handle.

Doorknobs.

Drawer Pulls.

Cupboard knobs.

Blind pulley things.

Fridge handles.

Dishwasher handle.

Microwave buttons.

TV Remote.

These are all the things I make sure I sanitize I am sure you can think of many more.

What do you do for your family to help chase away the cold/flu?

What is your favourite way to make sure your house is always clean?

Jade

One of those days wear putting a skirt on and wearing your jade necklace just because it makes you feel good! Sometimes I feel that the day needs more then just my jeans, and it was one of those days.

Life is crazy over here and I'll have to update you soon on the newest life changes.

Not to mention how in love I am with my hair turning out this good in only 10 minutes. My new go to hair style for the second day of curly hair or even straight - score!

Shirt: Shade Clothing

Skirt: Lulubella Boutique

Tights: Sweater Tights from Targer

Boots: Steve Madden

Jewelry: Stella & Dot

Watch: Michael Kors

Chicken Stock from Scratch

This fall I have been in love with making homemade soup. I realize the other day that I usually make all my soups from scratch almost... I always got my chicken stock/broth out of a can. I wanted to make some soup from scratch stock and all. It wasn't too hard, more effort then opening a can but this way I know exactly what I am putting on my body.

1. I used the left over carcass from our roasted chicken and put it in a big pot

2. Filled with water until almost covered

3. Add garlic, some onion powder, little salt and pepper or other spices you might like

4. Let it bowl and then reduce to simmer for several hours or all day occasionally stirring

5. Turn burner off and let cool

6. Put a strainer in a bowl and poor contents in.

7. Pick all the remaining meat off the carcass and add to broth

I ended up with 7 cups with homemade broth which I divided up and froze to use later.

I like the idea of being resourceful and getting all the meat of the carcass as well as making some broth to use for later. 

Home bound

I went on a much needed trip home two weeks ago. I didn't want to come back to my real like I was enjoying being with all my sisters so much. So silly we didn't all get a picture together.

Michelle who let me tag along and make a road trip out of her journey home

Homemade Bread - most amazing bread you will ever have!

Starting planning our trip to Africa while I was there. A Safari followed by working in a dental clinic with my parents.

Can't go to Canada without picking up some amazing chocolate

I finally got to meet my new niece Edith. She melted my heart, I had so much fun rocker her to sleep and holding her in my arms.

She even discovered her thumb for the first time while I was home

We also started a baby quite for a future girl baby phillips. This was my first time quilting and it felt easy having my mother and sister to help, I got to sew a lot of it together. It was actually a very healing activity, being actively hopeful for the next time I get the blessing of being pregnant.

The picture above is the backing and below is the top. It still has to get quilted and bound.

Being Brave

A friend and I had a conversation a little while back and her words have stuck to me like glue. She said that when we are presented with two paths we should always pick the hardest one, because those are the things that help us grow and learn the most.

Lately I feel like I have been slapped with so many different decisions, and they choice has never been easy. I toss, turn and fret over every choice I have to make causing stress and lack of sleep some nights. I think I am going to take the advice to heart and choose to take the harder paths in life.

Next week I am going to start something that I am afraid to do, terrified of failing, making a joke out of myself, having people judge me, and pushing myself and my body to the limit.

What have you done lately that scared you?

Thrifted

I'm having one of those... "I swear this looked cuter in person" moments. But non the less here we go!

Who's enjoying what she wore wednesday's??

Top: Gap {Thrifted}

Jeans: Pilcro

Shoes: Steve Madden

Necklace: Stella & Dot

This week has been a little bit crazy, I have been sick but I think I am finally shaking it off and getting more back to normal. Really throws me off my game when it comes to, well... pretty much everything!

Halloween is over and we sprinting toward thanksgiving and then it will be Christmas in now time, which I am very impatient to start decorating for!