Best Problem Ever

Don't Judge, just love { Kinda can't believe I'm posting this but... I'v got to be proud! }

So this isn't some amazing difference but you can tell I am leaner and I actually do have some muscle in my abs now. Not to mention the inches that have come off my waist. I can pull those pants off without even undoing them. Disclaimer - they are boyfriend pants meant to fit a little slouchy but trust me they didn't used to be that big, I can't even keep them on me!

Don't worry off to the pool in my swim suit

Nope No More

Two rules that will having you feel better in days!

No Sugar, and Clean Eating

This means no processed foods, make everything from scratch and don't add cream, and fatty cheese, and condensed soups just don't its that simple. Us cottage cheese, and milk instead.

Yup I said it...

No Sugar

You can however pick a day to treat yourself, every saturday we eat out and I make a heart stopping yummy desert. But only one day a week - feeds that craving and helps keep you on track.

Paired with working out and cutting the junky food out of my life I have toned up a lot, and lost some weight as well. But better yet I just feel so much better! I have a picture of what three weeks can change your stomach too but I felt posting a picture of my stomach was too daunting. But you really can see the change, if you want to see it just ask.

Fathers

Kenneth Michael Phillips

Also love the family name Kenneth

I am so grateful for Mike - he has taught his son so many wonderful things that are very husband worthy qualities. One thing I fell in love with about Taylor when we were dating was how he could fix just about everything and anything and if he couldn't get to the store to get the right stuff leave to him to find a way, such as duck tape, glue you name it! He got this from this father, Mike can do and fix anything he is such a handy man. He is a quite guy but when it comes down to getting things done Mike's there doing it. Not to mention he makes a good deep fried turkey too!

Taylor parents have always supported us no matter how crazy it seamed and that never goes unappreciated

Mark Dudley Bishop

My Dad with a genuine smile which is rarely caught on film

Leave it to my Dad to make something fun, or to cook up a gourmet storm in only a matter of minutes. He will go down in history for being a Dad and Grandpa who never aged a day over fifteen years of age {thats what we like to think anyway} he is always traveling the world, playing beach volley ball, racing cars, mountain biking, hiking, or buying race car and pinball arcade games! It is never a dull moment, I feel the need to remind him often that he is over 50 now and needs to slow down and stop hurting himself doing all his crazy adventurous things. He ended up in the hospital a couple of times doing things like I'v listed above. 

I really have had the chance to fall in love with my Dad all over again every time I see him he reminds me of how much stinking fun we always have together! Speaking of I might tell a quick little story.

At my graduation in Rexburg, Idaho we found this little diner that we ate at almost everyday during our move with Dad. We thought it would be fun to pretend he was a little cooky and for days he pretended and even ordered food for his best friend Marg! The waitresses legit would play along in fear of disrupting the crazy mans dilutions of imaginary friends. It was by far the funniest thing I had done in a long time - like I said NEVER a dull moment with this man!

Me, Dad and Marg :) She is on the right can you see her?

This is my Dad and I in Santorini Greece 

Looking over Athens after climbing what felt like a million stairs

Many have asked...?

Taylor and I are no model couple lets just get that out their, and I am no expert either. But I am really into being healthy, feeling healthy and the science of health {hence I'm a health science major!}

I have been asked by quite a few of my friends and aquantances how Taylor and I stay slim. Well I am ashamed to say I think we went through a tub of ice-cream a week when we first got married and we did gain an ounce. Then a year late BAM it caught up with us so now we actually have to put some effort into losing weight.

Things we do to keep motivate are usual competitions; Against one another or to a date ect. These help a bunch for us!

A lot of our friends know me as being a little weird about health and food {in a good way... I think} so I am going to start posting some tips, and tricks that we do to stay healthy.

Note: I use the word Healthy, were aren't trying to get skinny, or look beach ready because thats not what its about. We should all invest in our health not our bikini line, but the great thing is when you change your life style to being truly healthy and what I can clean eating you will look great promise! I dare you to just try it.

Play time... ehem I mean work

I work with these two boys who have down syndrome. It has been such a treat I have met so many great people, and have been helping develop more patience and love for them as the days go on. I have been thinking about applying to be a special needs aid in Madison County. 

It has been interesting being a Nanny/Aid; one set of kids accidentally calls me Mama or Mommy a lot. Becoming involved in peoples everyday life, it has been so nice feeling like I am a part of something. I have learned so much about myself, children, special needs, life, people, motherhood, families. 

This little guy throws me into the pool, and gives some messy kisses

His mother always expresses so much gratitude for my help and I always leave their house with a smile on my face

And this little guy calls me Mama sometimes and he will only let me rock him to sleep

To Do List

I am day dreaming about the days we have had together with no long do to lists! Mexico was one of them I wish I could zap back to that time just for even a couple of hours :)

Hey Husband - Long Time No See

Taylor is the co-team leader of a sales team here in Virginia which pretty much means he is a manager and has responsibilities. One of them is every other week staying and doing paper work for the 6 days they sell. Somehow we skipped by without doing it for a month so last week was the first week he had to stay and do it. He wouldn't get home until 11:00pm every night and then we would start work again at 8:00am the next morning. Well, after dinner, shower, brushing your teeth, then bed at midnight we literally had zero time together. I thought coming home at 10:00pm was bad but that seams like a dream now. 

I was in beyond withdrawal from seeing Taylor, everyday I heard his voice I would tear up thinking about how much I missed him so yesterday he was so sweet and took the day off to hang with me. I also took the day off work so we could go do something together other then eat, sleep and drive to work! 

We chose to go to Alexandria which is right on the Potomac River going to the ocean. It was really rainy so we got pretty much drenched walking, we visited Mt. Vernon where Washington lived {I'll post about this at a later date}. We also got to see his tomb, and where he died. It was pretty interesting but not my favourite part of the day. My favourite was the drive home! Holding hands with Taylor drying off, and driving on the windy roads through the lush woods. The houses we saw were Mansions! I am talking iron gate, pillars, and guests houses bigger then a normal house, probably have a butler in each room - kinda huge! I didn't get a picture of any of those though since we were always driving too fast. One of these days I am going to get a good picture.

The whole feel here in Virginia and especially in Alexandria is english or victorian. It is just so beautiful to me I love it. 

Don't you just find these homes and duplexes oddly breath taking

Air & Space Instagram Style

Enjoying our day together since they are so rare

Discovery Space Shuttle - Must see

National Air & Space Museum

Living here has been hard I will admit {what else is new we all have trials everywhere we go} - working three jobs, and part time school along with Taylor working 14 hour days

But...

We get to go see super cool places like this all for free.

This is the Enole Gay the plane the drop the atomic bomb; they had some pretty amazing history here

Above I just discovered instagram for the first time - there will be many of these pictures to come

This is the discovery space shuttle 

Yes, the one that went to the Moon it was amazing to see in person

You could see all the wear and tear done to the panels while in space it was amazing

Allure Medi Spa

I have had so many problems with my skin, large painful acne that usually scared. Last weekend I got the chance to go to home and have an IPL Photo facial, within a week this one spot on my face that would not heal or go away is healing and is almost gone. Needless to say I am a believer!

After such good results I went back in a couple of days and got IPL hair removal. It is a pretty quick deal and it does not hurt. There were a couple of spots that would give my skin warm "zing" but nothing painful. Hopefully I can get back soon and finish up my treatment.

You can visit their site here

515 5th Street South
Lethbridge, AB
Phone: 403.327.2446

Rainy, down pour day

Nanny Martha,

Today I took some of "my kids" to school early this morning. Nathan was having a rough morning already by the time I got there, he is seven years old and the older kids kept teasing him. I held him back and gave him a huge hug and told him he was amazing and to not believe different. He smiled at me for the first time that morning and it warmed my heart.

Sometimes we all have one of those days.

When I am having one of those days I just want to scream it to the world. Nothing bad even happened today I'm just bugged about nothing or maybe everything, I don't know.

A bucket of ice cream, blankets, listening to the rain in the background and watching some TV shows sounds ultra good right now. But when it rains it pours, literally outside and in my life haha just admit it you think I'm funny :)

I am hoping that Laney & Hunter {"my" other kids} can cheer me up tonight. I have a feeling they will be afraid of the thunder while I stroll them back home. But then I can cuddle with Hunter and run away with Laney from the evil dragon that lives in the basement. I love being with such sweet souls who let their imaginations run wild. That love me no matter what my hair, or outfit looks like by the end of the day.

I challenge you to give someone in need a big hug, sometimes it makes all the difference

Jean Skirt

I have been wanting a jean skirt for a while now, I have a jean jumper that I love and wear a lot!

So last weekend they had a 50% of sale at Joann's Fabric Store and I picked up some super light soft jean, along with some really cool jean thread. I used a zipper since I didn't use jersey like the tutorial below. This was my first clothing piece I have made without the help of my mother, I am pretty proud of the turn out, although it is awfully blue so I might try to dye it darker later on.

You can enjoy the tutorial here.

$8.50

I also picked up Navy Blue lace so stay tuned

DC Temple

Taylor and I got the chance to go do sealings in DC Temple. It was probably one of the largest temples I have ever been in and so beautiful with a water fountain and lush trees all around.

I love to go to the temple with my Hubby

Rare Friends

I'v started to realize how rare true friends really are. The kind of friend that will tell you when you out of line, when you're amazing, and when they ask how you are it is because that want to know the answer. I could probably count on one hand all the people who actually know how my life is right now and what were up to. It goes both ways, we have to be willing to open up which I usually never have a problem with. Especially being cooped up all day at home, going on week three of being sick.

I challenge you to speak with someone you care about and find out how they are ACTUALLY doing.

Or if you have a friend that you know has been struggling in the slightest way do something for them to help, or just to let them know you care.

These are the three people who keep me going everyday and no matter how grumpy or mean I get they are always their for me and I could never thank them enough. Makes my cry just thinking about them!

Yes I have many other wonderful friends who I love so much don't be offended :) I love you too

 My Mother who always does everything she can to help, love and support me

My Sister Ashley - We shared part of our wedding together and we still love each other need I say more?

And of course my husband who always love me even during one of my awful emotional 'drama queen feeling sorry for myself' episodes - There is no other man that could handle being married to me so gracefully like Taylor does

And were still madly deeply and passionately in love with each other after almost three years

DC Trip

We now live 30 minutes away from DC and it is very beautiful there. Everything is for free, all the museums and all the monuments. Food... not so much Taylor and I spent $16 on two hot dogs and a drink. What can I say we were hungry and they don't list prices so it's a fun surprise once they tell you your total!

If you ever go to DC and you want to visit everything I would suggest planning on a good solid 3 days 8:00 am - 5:30 pm there is really so much to do. But I will admit after so many monuments and american history they start to blend. 

This is the Old National Post Office

George Washington Monument

Smithsonian Castle (Don't let it trick you it only has a cafe inside - Don't visit unless hungry for overpriced food)

My two homes Canada and Idaho

The World War monument 

Good ol' Lincoln

We didn't go to half the stuff we wanted to and will have to go back another weekend. Also I came up with a sheet with all the free things with addresses, hours, and metro stops if you would like a copy comment with your email and I will send it your way.

Ugh - Chocolate Smoothie Anyone? (Guilt Free!)

Well, Taylor got sick when we first arrived and now I am on week two of laying on the couch like a dead battery. He always bounces back quick and passes it on plus some to me - every time I must be weak!

Also week two of Taylor working 14 hour days, were a pretty attached couple so I'm going through husband withdrawal. My heart aches for him no matter how cheesy that sounds.

Also after a rough semester I have put on a little (a.k.a. a lot) winter layer and so I have sworn off sugar and trying to lose weight. This Chocolate smoothie has saved me because it is so yummy and no need to feel guilty after drinking it.

Guilt Free Chocolate Fix

 2 tablespoons Oats 1 banana

1/2 cup of milk

1 tablespoon of pure natural peanut butter

1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa

Ice. Blender. Yum.

Indianapolis Art Museum

On our way to Virginia we were able to stop and see the Indianapolis Art Museum and of course Indianapolis itself. I got to finally meet Mullaly family who are in almost all of Taylor's mission stories. They were so sweet and so wonderful Taylor has this whole second family that loves him to death and I am so glad I got to finally meet them. 

These are little plastic people holding up the glass floor! It was a pretty interesting museum.