the hauer blogger

Nursery Feature: Chic & Cheap Nursery

2012-01-31T13:33:00.000-05:00

I have followed the blog Chic & Cheap Nursery for a long time now and am so excited and honored to have Kynlee's nursery featured there today. So hop on over and check it out!

(You can get there here: Chic & Cheap Nursery)

A big thanks to them for the feature!

less is more

2012-01-29T11:57:00.000-05:00

Anyone else on complete inspiration overload? Between all the blogs I follow, instagram, facebook, pinterest, twitter etc... I am on overload. One of my biggest goals for this year is to learn to live more simply. It's hard to do this when every where I go I am hit in the face with some new trend (and I'm a sucker for trends!), DIY project, paint color I want to paint my house, outfit I want to buy, etc etc etc This is not helping me one bit! To balance, none of these things are bad in themselves but sometimes I find myself defining my value and life around what I have or what I've done and not who I am or striving to be.

This is when I know it's time to step back and re-evaluate myself. Now that we have Kynlee my days at home with her are very important to me. I take my time with her very seriously and strive to make the most of it. I am sometimes overwhelmed on my days at home because I look around and see all the things I want to get done in my house, projects I want to work on (thank you pinterest) and what not but never find time to do. Or make time to do I should say. But I have to step back and make a conscious decision to spend my time with Kynlee- whether it's playing with her, singing to her, loving on her- whatever I have to do. I want her to know that she is what's important in life, not the things I get done around the house (outside of general upkeep- I can not breathe in a messy space so cleaning my house daily is a must!)

I'm going to challenge myself to live more simply and to learn to be more content with what I already have. I feel it will leave me a much more free and peaceful person.

So here's to my newest motto for 2012:

Anyone else want to join me on this venture?

Live What You Love

2011-12-30T10:12:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's that time of year again when people create their lists of things they want to accomplish in the new year, people join or re-join a gym, feel motivated and talk about their resolutions. And I am one of those people. I used to hate new year's resolutions but as I have grown older I have learned to appreciate them. In fact, I think this is one of the MOST important times of the year. I truly believe one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself, which is ultimately a gift to those around you, is to stop, reflect and re-evaluate. I will never forget our wedding anniversary this year. It was one of our first nights out without Kynlee and we went to a nice restaurant for dinner. Dan started reflecting back on positive things in our marriage and then we each said four or five areas we would like to grow in and where we feel we could better love and serve each other. It was so powerful for us to do this. I remember feeling incredibly renewed and refreshed in our relationship.

I encourage you, whether you dread this or not, to at least take the time to reflect on areas of your life you can improve and applaud yourself for things you have accomplished this year. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for your kids, your spouse, your friends/family- whoever is important in your life. We ALL have areas we can grow in- the day you stop being aware of your strengths and weaknesses is a day you lose to grow in them.

reflections/resolutions

I am truly blessed.

God is the ultimate hero and loves us so much more than we can ever grasp.

I have a lot of imperfections.

I want to be more selfless with my time and gifts.

Dan & Kynlee are the greatest things that have ever happened to me- I want them to know it.

I want to make serving Dan more of a priority in my life.

Beauty really does lie on the inside.

I want to laugh more and learn to be more laid back (Dan is way better at this than me!)

Laugh and have more fun.

Get involved in a cause.

Get outside. As much as possible.

Less media in our lives.

Be more crafty and creative.

Don't take myself so seriously.

Buy more made in America.

Make more time for friends.

Let go and let God.

Get on the floor and play, get out and get dirty and be silly with Kynlee.

Be an example and word of encouragement to those around me.

Breastfeed Kynlee until she is at least a year (I'm 1/2 way there!)

Teach Kynlee daily about God's love.

Pray and read God's Word more.

Make more time for worship.

Learn to have more grace and less unrealistic expectations of people.

More love in every area of my life.

I bought this letterpress print and it hangs in our bathroom. I just liked it at first but the more I thought about it, the more I realized the depth in it. It doesn't just mean to live what you love in a career or a job (which is what I always think of when I first read it) but to truly live what you love is different. I love God- I want to live and breathe God. I love my husband and baby girl- I want to live for them. And all the other things I love in life- I want to live them out, not just in what I do but also in who I am.

OK people- get to writing up your list of reflections/resolutions! DO IT! =)

Here's to a wonderful 2011 and hopefully an even greater 2012!

Love,

The Hauers

sunporch update

2011-11-22T13:49:00.001-05:00

We have this tiny, adorable room off our kitchen that has been a catch-all room for the two years we have lived here. It's been low man on the priority list of rooms to make over since it's seasonal and the door stays shut to it most of the time. But lately it has been driving me crazy! I've been waiting for the perfect rainy Tuesday to tackle it and today was that day. Kynlee took herself a nice little two hour nap and mama got to work. The beautiful thing is that I did not buy ONE thing- I used all things I already had around my house that were not in use.

Here's a before picture from a while ago,

although it looked much worse than this before I cleaned it today

And, here's what it looks like now

I had a tall bookshelf that I didn't like anymore and had no where to put so I turned it on it's side, put pillows on it and made a little window seat

A wicker chair I plucked out of my neighbor's garbage and spray painted now gives me a little reading nook. I still need to add some art or shelves to the wall to the right but I'm not worried about it right now.

And since we have an uber tiny kitchen, I had to leave this cart in there with our bigger skillets etc...

Anyone else done any room makeovers lately?

genes are a funny thing

2011-11-10T10:54:00.000-05:00

My brother and I

Corbin & Kynlee

Crazy!!

fall festivities

2011-11-01T20:41:00.000-04:00

I know it's been a while since I've posted! I think all the time of things I want to post about then I just forget or can't/don't find the time. I'm gonna try to get better, mostly for Kynlee's sake. This has been such a beautiful fall and we have definitely taken advantage of the weather and gotten out to do fun things with the families. We went to Minges Pumpkin Festival in Harrison (where I grew up) and it was a good time. I've gone there since I was itty bitty so it doesn't quite seem like fall if we don't go. We managed to get some cute pictures of Kynlee in the pumpkins, ate funnel cakes, pet the cute animals etc... I hope to make it a tradition with our own new little family =)

Kynlee is getting so big, it's crazy, fun and sad all at the same time. I try to have an intentional moment with Kynlee everyday where I stop and really take in all that she is. One of my biggest goals as a mom is to live in the present and never wish away a stage or age but to enjoy each thing as it comes. God is teaching me so much about living a simple life- it's something I struggle with but I'm glad God keeps trying to teach me!

Here are some pics from the festival. We are VERY, VERY close with both of our families and, thankfully, they get along great so it's twice the fun when we can all get together. We are super obsessed with our nephews and are so blessed to get to see them all the time. I'm glad Kynlee has two, older boy cousins who can protect her and rough her up a little bit too ;)

And then, of course, there was Halloween. I know a lot of Christians who don't celebrate this holiday but I say lighten up! I loved dressing Kynlee up and seeing all of the kids in their costumes running around getting candy and just being all sorts of cute. I was so excited when I found Kynlee's costume- I knew she would be Dumbo since it was Dan's favorite childhood movie. I thought about doing something super creative or making a unique costume but this was just so sentimental and Dan was super excited about it. So was I- I knew she would look hilarious and so cute. We went to our friend's house out in Harrison and did the typical Ohio thing- make a firepit in the driveway, drank Yuengling (whoop!), ate chili and passed out candy. Halloween is WAY more fun when you have a child!

We had to stop and see Honey and Aunt Haley on our way out!

I am sad to see Fall coming to an end but I LOVE Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year I was extremely sick from being preggo and have nothing but memories of throwing up at all of our family functions.....so, needless to say, this year will definitely be better!

Kynlee is 4 months tomorrow (ahh!) so I will be posting some great pics and an update on her 3-4 months sometime this week. Just love that girl.

being a mom

2011-09-28T16:37:00.000-04:00

This is such a loaded title. The phrase "being a mom" has so much more depth and perspective now that I am one. On my journey to motherhood I have found both women who have disappointed me in how they carried themselves through pregnancy and motherhood and women who have inspired me in a way that I will always be thankful for. I never understood how dimensional and bi-polar being a mom can make you. There are days that I am filled with nothing but joy and days where I am tired and just bleh. I don't mind sharing that because it's honest and I'm not trying to act like I'm a perfect mother or that being a mom is fun 100% of the time. Anyone who tells you that is straight up lying. I feel like I owe it to my friend's and peers who aren't mothers yet to be totally honest with the reality of life after a baby.

The first month was such a mixture of emotions. I had a 4th degree tear while giving birth to Kynlee and I could not even walk for 3 weeks after having her. I lost a ton of blood leaving me extremely anemic and weak and unable to even carry Kynlee around for almost a month. Everytime I stood up I got dizzy and almost passed out. It was hard. Thank God Dan is a hard-working and selfless husband and we have such supportive and giving families. I don't know how someone could do this on their own. Of course I instantly loved Kynlee but I wasn't able to properly care for her that first month which was very frustrating and disheartening. I felt like I was never going to get better. After going through a long, sick pregnancy, then a natural birth I thought the pain would all be over after having her. Honestly, the aftermath was wayyy worse than having a drug-free delivery. WAY worse. (most people don't tear like I did so don't be afraid if you haven't had a child yet =)). I am a huge advocate of breastfeeding your child (come on, it's free and studies show it is by far the BEST thing you can do for your child) but I know Satan was trying to discourage me from it. Besides the normal pains of the first week of breastfeeding, I also developed mastitis (a very painful infection), then a yeast infection in my breast from the antibiotic I took for the mastitis, and then we found out Kynlee has a dairy allergy so if I wanted to keep nursing it would mean cutting out all dairy from my diet (no more graeters?! no more Deweys?!) But I just kept reminding myself it's the best thing for Kynlee, I kept going and I'm so glad I did. It's such a precious bond between a mother and a child and it's a beautiful thing to be able to provide for your child in that way. And I've discovered some yummy dairy-free alternatives along the way!

The second month was SO much better. I was feeling better myself and getting used to little sleep and rearranging our lives around a baby's schedule. We were able to get out and do things and she started getting so much personality. And did I mention I have one of the cutest baby girls around?! I'm not gonna lie, I thought we were going to have an ugly baby (and yes they do exist) haha. I was seriously shocked when she came out. One of the first things I said after they plopped her on my chest was "oh my gosh, she's actually kind of pretty!" It wasn't vanity, I was genuinely shocked. She is so pleasant on the eyes and I love staring at her all day. I feel like she is God's grace on my life for all we went through in my pregnancy and delivery. Everyone says it but it's true- she was WELL worth it.

This third month has seriously been awesome. I started back to work part-time and it has made such a difference. I love the routine of it, the adult interaction, the challenge of my job and being away from Kynlee makes me appreciate my time with her so much more. She goes to an in-home daycare and I am so excited for her to have that social interaction and meet friends and be exposed to all kinds of kids. The lady who runs the daycare is a longtime family friend of Dan's family so I know she is in great hands. God has been so good to us and has brought Dan and I so close together. The other night Dan got Kynlee naked out in the living room and was carrying her into the bathroom where I was waiting in the tub to give her a bath and on the way she exploded poop in the air. It ran all down Dan's arm, onto his jeans and all over the bathroom floor. His first reaction was to lean her over the tub where I was sitting in a couple inches of water to finish her poop. Needless to say that poop scattered into a million poops the second it hit water and got all over me too. It was hilarious- there was nothing else to do but laugh. I always wondered what kind of poop stories we would have and in her 3 short months we have way too many!

This post is random but that is exactly how our life is now- random! One day Kynlee is the sweetest baby in the world, the next she just wants to cry. She is a very alert, content and happy baby but even the best baby has their day. After all, she is a girl ya know ;) Having a baby is extremely life changing but not in a bad way at all. If you can make it through those first 4-6 weeks then it's all uphill from there, at least in my tiny, tiny, tiny bit of experience. I truly love being a mom- I'm not an emotional girl at all but there are three things now I get very emotional about- my relationship with God, my husband and my baby. They are the most precious things in the world to me. I wouldn't trade my life for a billion dollars, no, no I would not.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward..."

-Psalm 127:3

yarn wreath.

2011-09-21T16:43:00.000-04:00

Thought I would share the tutorial for how I made the super easy and super cute (I can say this since it wasn't my original idea) tutorial for making my new yarn wreath on my front door.

Simply go here: Take Heart Blog

It probably cost me around $15 which I think is super cheap. I embellished mine with some feathers and different colored felt flowers which added a couple more dollars. You could certainly make it for cheaper. The flowers were a lot easier than I expected as well and I definitely recommend using a glue gun for the process and not just strong fabric glue (learned that the hard way).

I want to see all you artsy fartsys out there making one! Get to it!

It started with this...

And turned into this!

I think I'm going to make a wreath with burlap wrapped around it for the wintertime...we will see.

And I leave you with....the many faces of Kynlee. Just love her.

2 month adventures

2011-09-06T20:01:00.000-04:00

Yup, time did it to me again. This month has been exactly what I imagined maternity leave to be- lots of fun. The first month was a complete blur and although I'm still not completely healed and in some pain, I do not let that stop me from playing and enjoying my time with Kynlee. I start back to work in two weeks, but only 20 hrs a week and I'm honestly really looking forward to it. I am kind of going stir crazy being home all the time so I think it will be a great balance. I truly love my time with her and she is a very easy baby but I think time apart will make me appreciate being with her that much more.

Here's a look at Kynlee's second month of life in pictures. These blog posts probably get old to some people and that's totally ok with me. These posts are really for Kynlee- one of the biggest reasons I blog and love to take pictures is because I have the WORST memory in the world. I take pictures to remember precious moments or I will forget all about them. I want Kynlee to be able to look back when she gets older and know all about herself. I mean who doesn't love to see their own baby pictures and hear fun stories about all the silly and cute things they did?!

Dear Kynlee,

Here you are in your second month of life. Hope you enjoy looking back at these someday!

You went to small group with us

Fell asleep during tummy time

You are starting to have "conversations" with us and it's adorable to hear your new sounds

You went to Mommy's work and met all her co-workers. Lynn is holding you in this picture below.

Took naps with daddy.

Played with your Grandpa- he is CRAZY over you.

You started taking naps in your crib during the day, just to get you used to it.

You have smiled since week one but WHOA are you super smiley now! I swear sometimes you

laugh- I love waking up to your big smiles.

You took naps on mommy.

This is your spot in the bedroom. You will only sleep in your bouncer at night and it's fine with me. I wake up at least 5 or 6 times throughout the night and shine my cell phone light on you just to make sure you're still breathing. This is a big improvement from the 25 times I did it your first month being born :) Look at those lips!

I love a naked baby! Hating tummy time out at Grandma's. You spent lots of quality time with both of your Grandma's this month- I will have to do a better job of taking pictures of you with them. They are crazy about you and have been so much help to your Dad and I. We are very thankful for them.

We took you to visit your Great Grandma.

You had lots of fun play dates

Looking SO CUTE shopping- you love it as much as your mom does. Your dad is in trouble!

You went and cheered on your Aunt Haley at her games- maybe someday you will be a cheerleader

just like her :)

We went for walks since it finally cooled down a bit from your first month.

You love the moby wrap.

One of my favorite milestones from this month is when you discovered your thumb. It's the cutest thing in the world- but more importantly its a great thing to be able to self soothe- you are so smart!!

And here are some adorable pictures your Aunt Kelly took of you

Corbin loves to lick/kiss you

And one day when it was nice out, I got you dressed up and took some pics of you for your "official" two month picture. You are so pretty I can't stand it. We love everything about you- even when you fuss (although you rarely do), and poop on us, and spit up on us. You are such a happy baby and I want 5 more just like you :)

Happy two month baby girl!

Love,

Mom and Dad

nursery project: fabric knitting hoops

2011-08-22T21:11:00.001-04:00

As mad as I am at myself for not getting Kynlee's nursery done before she was here, I'm still having fun watching it evolve into something I really love. I pretty much have ADD when it comes to designing her room thanks to Pinterest. Everyday I find something different and inspiring and it makes me want to start back at zero and do something completely different. Where was Pinterest two years ago when we first bought our house?! I wish I had the time and money to re-paint and re-do my whole house! But this is just the sin of dis-contentment. There is plenty I still love about my house and the nursery and learning to be content with it all is a lesson I can carry into many aspects of my life.

So...with all that said, here's a fun little project I've seen floating around the blog world and have been dying to do for the nursery. Where I'm going to put them, I'm not totally sure (of course) but wherever they go they will certainly be cute.

All you do is take knitting hoops like these (they range from $.59 to $.99)

Buy a few different fabrics- JoAnn offers these Fabric Quarters for $1.99- perfect for a project like this.

Wrap the fabric around the hoop, use fabric glue to attach the fabric to the inside of the hoop, then cut off the excess and this is what you have:

You can't see the pretty lace design on the middle one (above) but oh well- I don't have mad photography skills and I'm ok with that.

Can't wait to hang these!

one month

2011-08-02T16:19:00.002-04:00

Dear Sweet One Month Kynlee-

Everyone told me how the time would fly when we had you and boy were they right. I am sitting here

with tears in my eyes watching you sleep in your little bunny swing thinking about what a miracle

and blessing you really are. You are so much more than we could have ever imagined. These past four weeks with you have been quite a roller coaster- from the sleepless nights to my own physical recovery, to watching you discover new things and change daily- it has truly been a "beautiful mess".

Your first week home was surreal- you had lots of visitors who couldn't wait to meet you, daddy was home with us to share in it all and thank God because you are a hard girl to keep up with! I am now completely used to getting up with you at midnight, 3am, 6am and being with you all day long. In fact I honestly cherish our time together (now). In the beginning it was hard. Lately you've been letting me get five hours of sleep and I wake up feeling like a new woman! Your Grandmas have been a big help and everyone can't get over what a beautiful and alert baby you are, especially your proud parents.

Here are a few things you might enjoy knowing about your one-month self:

-You have gone from 6lbs 10.5oz to 9lbs in 4 weeks! You don't look like it though because you are long like your daddy. I don't know what I'm eating but you sure like it.

-You hate the bassinet and only sleep on me & dad, in your bouncer or your swing.

-Literally the minute you popped out of the womb you stuck your thumb in your mouth- you never did it again until recently you have re-discovered your fingers. You use them to self soothe yourself when you're hungry- such a smart girl.

-You smile more everyday and it melts my heart.

-You love to stare out the window at the trees when I'm feeding you.

-Your cries sound like a little bird and we can't help but laugh (yes, at you...)

-You look just like your dad and your beautiful Aunt Haley.

-We take you everywhere and you are so good! You hardly fuss, only for a little bit in the evening or if I wait too long to feed you. You're my little cookie monster.

-Over the weekend you developed a bad rash and projectile vomited all over me (man you stink!) and we felt like those paranoid first-time parents. Turns out you have a little virus but you don't seem to mind. Nothing a little extra cuddling can't solve.

-We thought for sure you would be bald (like we were as babies) but you came out with a decent amount of hair. Everyone said you would lose it but you just look like a balding man, thin on top and long on the sides and back-it's hilarious. I'm still not sure if you're going to be a red head either- it's pretty brown but we don't mind either way.
-You got in the pool for the first time with your cousin Corbin.

-You are pretty and I tell you 500 times a day.

-You poop A LOT.

-You make the cutest expressions and we are constantly laughing (with you...) :)

-You have also mastered the art of making fart noises with your mouth- a woman after my own heart. Sometimes I honestly don't know if you really farted or not haha.

-Lastly, we have really truly fallen in love with you and that's really all you need to know.

All our love,

Mom & Dad

WOO! I made it to one month!

One last pic of you getting in the pool for the first time- you weren't sure what to think but man, were you cute.

38.5 Weeks

2011-06-20T21:12:00.001-04:00

How far along: 38 Weeks & 4 days but whose counting

Oh holy belly- she has completely dropped, can you tell?!

Total weight gain: appr. 26-27 lbs
Best moments this month: Being pretty carefree. I was having anxiety attacks for a while at the beginning of my 3rd trimester because the nursery was nowhere near where I thought it should be. Thankfully Dan and my mom came to the rescue and helped me get totally organized and almost completely finish up. There are still a few decor things I have to finish but I'm not stressed about getting them done before Kynlee gets here. Her clothes are all washed, organized, hung up, folded, crib is ready, diapers are ready and that's all that matters to me at this point! Our bags are packed, car seat in the car, house and car are completely clean so now we just sit back and wait :-)
Food cravings: Crushed ice- I want it, all the time. Yes I'm anemic.
Gender: Sweet baby girl
What I miss: It's probably safe to say at this point that I miss everything about not being pregnant. Good sleep, good hugs, good clothes, stable hormones- I could list about 25 things. I feel like the women on those hormone replacement therapy commercials before they get their injections.
What I am looking forward to: DUH- holding Kynlee! And not being pregnant anymore. It's more than safe to say I'm over it at this point. How about another "duh"- not having to go to work for a lonngg time. But I have to say the biggest thing I'm looking forward to is how much joy Kynlee will bring to, not just us, but also our friends and family. Everyone is so excited and it makes it that much more fun. I already know the first month will be the hardest and most sleep deprived I'll probably ever be in my life and that is ok by me. Thank God for moms and husbands!
Milestones: Well, I'm already 80% effaced and 3 cm dilated and she has completely dropped so even though I'm not technically due for another 10 days- it really could happen anytime. My docs all say "man you have a nice cervix" haha. Never thought I'd be so happy to hear that. They all say it means my labor should be pretty fast since I'm already so "ripe". But, who knows- it could still be two more weeks and a long labor- there's just no telling. But we're gonna let her come when she is ready- I figure I've waited this long, whats another couple weeks!

Here are some adorable pics of our nephews from lately- they will always be our babies too :) Some of these were taken with phones and different cameras so the quality is going to vary.

These are from Barrett's baptism- he is so ridiculously cute it's not funny.

Corbin was super excited about the summer swimmie outfit his Grandma got him.

Hopefully next time I blog it will be about Kynlee! Although, don't expect a post for a while after she's born- it will not be a priority, I'm sure!

Front Porch Lovin'

2011-06-14T21:32:00.001-04:00

Thought I'd share just a few pics of our front porch. Last fall I went down to Metamora, Indiana with my mom and Aunt and found the cutest plant holder (below). I've been waiting for spring to come to set it on my front porch...and I finally got around to putting something in it.

A small potted plant (with wax begonias- one of my faves)

Plus this unique plant holder

Equals a cute little addition to our porch. (Don't mind the tacky wet cement- I just watered the pot and I don't have time to sit and wait for it to dry)

I don't know why but I love a potted plant on a chair.

"Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer."

~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

Quality Time

2011-06-13T10:00:00.001-04:00

Just curious if anyone out there knows what this is anymore?? It seems as though quality time can get lost in the shuffle of any kind of relationship- friendship, marriage, family etc... But it's been on the forefront of my mind lately. Dan and I have always done a decent job of being intentional about spending quality time with each other but before our "lives change forever" (any other pregos sick of hearing this?!) we are upping the anty in this department. I have to be honest, it makes me a little sad that it will no longer be just Dan and I and I think it's completely normal to feel this way right before you have a baby. I know in my heart that Kynlee will change our lives and relationship for the better but when you haven't experienced it yet, it's hard to imagine. My husband is my favorite part of life and he brings me incredible joy every day of my life but we work hard to make it this way. Which brings me back to quality time. In reflecting back on the time Dan and I have been given as just the two of us, I wanted to share some ways we have thrived and some ways we have failed in this area.

WARNING: Before you get too far, this blog post contains NO pictures, I know it's crazy. So, if you're here for visual stimulation, sorry to disappoint.

Dan is a man who needs and enjoys alone time. Me, being selfish, had a hard time with this when we were first married. I can completely understand needing alone time but my definition of "alone" meant it was Dan and I. His definition of alone was just Dan. You can probably see where this created some issues. Once I learned to respect Dan's quiet time (which for him was going hunting or taking a trip to Bass Pro by himself etc..) things in this area greatly improved. Women- let your men have their space every once in a while! When Dan gets refreshed and spends time alone with himself and God, it refreshes our relationship. It doesn't mean he doesn't want to spend time with you but it allows your time to be of quality when you are together.

Everyone's definition of quality time can be different. Make sure you share your definitions with each other. I'm talking in a friendship, family or marriage. It's relevant to all. In our friend group we all hang out a lot with multiple people/couples present. This is always a lot of fun but to keep and grow these friendships we enjoy having one-on-one dinners or lunches so we can talk about real issues and grow with each other in our life experiences. It's the same in marriage. For a while Dan and I would make dinner together but then just sit on the couch and eat while watching TV. The making dinner together was great but then it kind of died once we started eating. We now sit at our dining room table almost every night and enjoy great conversation and connection with each other. This is definitely something we will continue to do as Kynlee and our other (Lord willing) children grow up.

These are small examples but, as the wise Mother Teresa once said, "We can do no great things, only small things with great love." It's the small, intentional things we do on a daily basis that comprise our life and our relationships. Dan and I have a genuinely awesome marriage but it's not because we are in any way more awesome or better than others. It's because someone told us these same things along the way and we applied them to our life and it works! We work hard at it every single day and we take our marriage very seriously (in an extremely fun way let me add!). I encourage you, whether you are single, dating, engaged, married, divorced, widowed, whatever it is- learn to be intentional with those around you. There's nothing like deep conversation with a best friend or connecting with your husband in a spiritual way on a daily basis. This also opens doors for better resolution when conflict does arise, and it always does. When Dan and I argue we are so used to being open and spiritual with each other that, out of habit, we can resolve our issues in a mature, loving manner (most of the time....). Let's all remember that none of us are perfect. But creating good habits now definitely makes conflict resolution down the road that much easier.

And, the best advice we've ever been given and we have taken to heart is to laugh a lot and have fun with each other. This makes for the best quality time! There's not a day that goes by that we don't laugh together about something. Its typically Dan making fun of me for something I did but I wouldn't have it any other way. I just laugh right along with him because he's almost always right....yes, I said it!

Well- we have certainly not mastered relationships, in any way, but we are thankful for those who have poured wisdom into us and hope we can turn around and "pay it forward" to others. Through our failures we learn the most!

*On a side note, I'm going to be 38 weeks pregnant this week!! We are looking forward to spending lots of quality time with our baby girl- time is flying by and I'm SO glad. Especially since I decided to keep working full-time until the day she is born and I refuse to be induced so this could get real interesting. I'm excited! Interesting is good.

Nursery Sneak Peek

2011-05-23T13:01:00.000-04:00

We finally painted, er re-painted the nursery over the weekend I guess I should say. (I ended up HATING the first color we painted so I decided to stick with a nice neutral the second time around). And by "we" I really mean my mom. Dan was helping out with some demo'ing elsewhere and my mom swooped in to the rescue once again. Now that it's painted we can finally start hanging stuff on the walls etc... but for now, here are the bones of the room.

The little vase below has been my inspiration for the room. I love the blue, mustard yellow, gray, brown and a splash of coral it contains. All of which I will be incorporating in the room. The adorable "K" was made by my good friend, Megan- it's perfect!

And (below)- my mom hard at work- she really is the BEST :)

always on my mind {and Easter pics}

2011-05-20T19:53:00.001-04:00

With the soon arrival of a baby girl around here, I feel the Lord has been placing some heavy things on my heart in regards to being a good role model for her. With that said, here's a little story to preface.

Last night I got home from a 9-hour work day, immediately put my pajamas on, threw my hair up in a bun and pulled my bangs back with a headband (looking cute is the LAST thing on my mind at 34 weeks pregnant and trust me, looking cute I was not). I started straightening up the house and heard Dan pull in the drive. He came up the basement steps into the kitchen where I was doing dishes and he immediately stopped, as if I literally took his breath away, and said "Wow- you look really pretty. You are just glowing." I said "WHAT?! You are crazy!" Literally, I was completely dumbfounded. I felt I looked a *hot mess*.

I tell this story not to, in ANY way, be presumptious or say how pretty I am (because I do not think that) but I tell all this to prove a point. So often women, myself included, see ourselves in a completely different way than others do. If you are close with me then it is no secret that I have insecurities about my physical appearance. Growing up with pale, freckly skin and red hair in a world completely obsessed with being tan and blonde (brunette now), you can say I have developed some healthy insecurites over the years. After Dan said that to me last night I couldn't stop thinking all night long about the way I view myself compared to the way those around me do, especially Dan. Girls these days grow up with these ridiculous misconceptions of how we are supposed to look, dress, act and it's hard when you are pounded left and right by this to not feel pressured. I think at some point, we have all felt pressured to fit a certain standard but it's exhausting and leads to nothing but depression and failure.

I know God has been calling me to let go of my insecurities and be more confident in myself. And now that we are bringing a girl into the world, more than ever, I am motivated to be a better role model in this regard. I never want Kynlee to feel the way I did growing up- I want to raise her to know that her beauty comes from God and within and not from her physical appearance. There is definitely a healthy balance to this because I still love fashion and I always will- I will still take care of my body by eating healthy and exercising and this is by no means an excuse for people to not properly take care of themselves but it is important to not let ourselves feel bad if we don't look "the standard".

Dan truly thinks I'm beautiful and it's not because I wear the latest fashions or have blonde hair. I believe when he looks at me he sees ME- who I am, what I stand for, all of it, not just the physical. This is how God views us as well and at the end of the day that is enough for me :)

Proverbs 31:30
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Here are some extremely overdue pictures from Easter (which was also my mom's birthday!) Enjoy!

32 Weeks

2011-05-05T20:20:00.000-04:00

How far along: 32 Weeks- only 56 more days to go

Total weight gain: 21 lbs- Doc wants me between 25 and 35 for total weight gain so I am right on. I'm estimating to be around 30 when I deliver.
Best moments this month: We had our friend's couples shower and my church baby shower which were both SO much fun- we are very blessed! Other great moments were our 3D/4D Ultrasound (you can see pics in a previous blog post), getting more done on the nursery, and probably the best is the way I can feel her moving inside of me and the way Dan can feel and see her moving around. It's definitely the best part of pregnancy, BY FAR. We have even come close to grabbing her little foot that she sticks out- I'm starting to wonder if she's going to take after her daddy who wears a size 13-, ouch. I have to say that Dan and I's relationship has gone to a whole new level. Don't get me wrong, our marriage is by no means perfect, but the best way I can explain it is that it comes very natural to Dan and I to love on each other and to be slow to anger. I was nervous about getting super moody and fighting a lot during pregnancy but it hasn't been like that at all. Dan has blown me out of the water by the way he serves me and prays for me all the time. Even though I've dealt with a lot of sickness, his attitude and excitement has truly made it enjoyable. I'm sure he's just glad he doesn't have to be pregnant!
Food cravings: Cheese, milk, fruit and water
Gender: Sweet baby girl
What I miss: My energy- it's slowly starting to fade from the spike you get in the 2nd trimester. I'm still feeling good (praise God) and working full-time just fine but I do notice that I've been unusually tired again even though my sleep is good. I have a really hard time just laying around and relaxing- I like to get things done and cross things off my to do list but, whoa do my back and hips hate me when I overdue it. Guess I have to learn to just relax a little bit.
What I am looking forward to: Well, the super obvious, which would be holding Kynlee in our arms :) I can't stop thinking about it. I'm also looking forward to doing a lot of reading over the next 8 weeks- I've been given some great books about newborns and all kinds of parenting stuff that I'm just craving to read. I feel like a sponge right now- I want to learn as much as I can. I'm fine if nothing goes the way I envision but at least I can say I tried! Ok, I also CAN'T WAIT to be back in my regular clothes. This baby weight will not stay on long, I guarantee, and I am really looking forward to having a full wardrobe again (is that vain?) Oh well if it is- my skinny jeans are begging to be worn again!
Milestones: Seeing Kynlee smile on our ultrasound- the most beautiful thing we've ever seen.

Let's hope these next 8 weeks are drama free and they fly by!

what I'm dreaming of...

2011-05-02T17:34:00.000-04:00

I'm sure I'm not the only one out there who can be incredibly affected by the weather- it's not the rain that I mind, it's the gloominess that lingers and lingers and lingers before and after. I understand that rain has a purpose but the gloom is just uncalled for. So I spend my days dreaming about the sunshine and the outdoors to try and brighten my mood. Last fall Dan laid a beautiful paver patio in our backyard but it got finished just in time for winter and has laid untouched and unloved for many months now. We had BIG plans for our backyard that probably won't happen this year since we will be focused on our little bundle of joy this summer but it's still fun to dream. Our big veggie garden and chicken coop are definitely on the back burner but I can't let that patio completely suffer. There will be potted plants! And furniture (cheap)! Besides, I plan on lounging around and napping with Kynlee outside a lot this summer since she's going to be perfect and sleep all the time (right?!!).

Here are some pictures of our backyard and the patio in progress. I'll post some better pics sometime soon- there's been too much rain to get out and take any of the finished product.

!Hottie Alert!

Here are some photos I am pulling inspiration from for our backyard area

I love the idea of having lanterns hanging from the trees. Or mason jars with tea light candles (a little friendlier on the budget).

{via House to Home}

We were given a true vintage, rustic, round table from Dan's Grandma's best friend (did you get all that) and I would love to set it on a big tree stump like in the picture above.

{via Graham and Green}

{via Pottery Barn}

Happy Gardening!

baking soda

2011-04-27T09:51:00.000-04:00

Yes, you read that right. I'm dedicating an entire post to baking soda. Kelly sent me this article a long time ago and I stumbled across it again while organizing my emails. Since I will be taking a break from work for all of summer then only going back part-time once Kynlee (or "Baby Lee Lee" as Dan calls her) is here, it's time to look at some ways to cut costs around the Hauer household. Although we've been fortunate to be in a position to save, save, save over the last two years and thanks to guidance from our parents and Dave Ramsey we are almost debt free, we are still going to be living on a tighter budget and want to make the most of our dollars and cents. Hence, this article on baking soda. So many ways to use it to save money! I highlighted the ones I have done so far and some of my personal favorites.

Here are 40 ways to use Baking Soda around the house:

Personal Care

1. Make toothpaste
A paste made from baking soda and a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as an alternative to commercial non-fluoride toothpastes. (Or here’s a formula for a minty version.) You can also just dip your toothbrush with toothpaste into baking soda for an extra boost.

2. Freshen your mouth
Put one teaspoon in half a glass of water, swish, spit, and rinse. Odors are neutralized, not just covered up.

3. Soak oral appliance
Soak oral appliances (like retainers, mouthpieces, and dentures) in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in a glass or small bowl of warm water. The baking soda loosens food particles and neutralizes odors to keep appliances fresh. You can also brush appliances clean using baking soda.

4. Use as a facial scrub and body exfoliant
Give yourself an invigorating facial and body scrub. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean. This is gentle enough for daily use.

5. Skip harsh deodorant
Pat baking soda onto your underarms to neutralize body odor.

6. Use as an antacid
Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, and/or acid indigestion. Refer to baking soda package for instructions.

7. Treat insect bites and itchy skin
For insect bites, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply as a salve onto affected skin. To ease the itch, shake some baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after bath or shower.

8. Make a hand cleanser and softener
Skip harsh soaps and gently scrub away ground-in dirt and neutralize odors on hands with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or 3 parts baking soda with gentle liquid hand soap. Then rinse clean.

9. Help your hair
Vinegar is amazing for your hair, but baking soda has its place in the shower too. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly — baking soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your hair is cleaner and more manageable.

10. Clean brushes and combs
For lustrous hair with more shine, keep brushes and combs clean. Remove natural oil build-up and hair product residue by soaking combs and brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small basin of warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.

11. Make a bath soak
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath to neutralize acids on the skin and help wash away oil and perspiration. It also makes your skin feel very soft. Or just focus on soothing your feet. Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water and soak feet. Gently scrub.
Cleaning

12. Make a surface soft scrub
For safe, effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile, and sinks — even fiberglass and glossy tiles — sprinkle baking soda lightly on a clean damp sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. For extra cleaning power, make a paste with baking soda, coarse salt, and liquid dish soap — let it sit then scour off.

13. Hand-wash dishes and pots and pans
Add 2 heaping tablespoons baking soda (along with your regular dish detergent) to the dish water to help cut grease and foods left on dishes, pots, and pans. For cooked-on foods, let them soak in the baking soda and detergent with water first, then use dry baking soda on a clean damp sponge or cloth as a scratch-less scouring powder.

14. Freshen sponges
Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong baking soda solution to get rid of the mess (4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water). For more thorough disinfecting, use the microwave.

15. Clean the microwave
Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with water.

16. Polish silver flatware
Use a baking soda paste made with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry for shining sterling and silver-plate serving pieces.

17. Clean coffee and tea pots
Remove coffee and tea stains and eliminate bitter off-tastes by washing mugs and coffee makers in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight in the baking soda solution and detergent or scrubbing with baking soda on a clean damp sponge.

18. Clean the oven
Sprinkle baking soda onto the bottom of the oven. Spray with water to dampen the baking soda. Let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub, scoop the baking soda and grime out with a sponge, or vacuum, and rinse.

19. Clean floors
Remove dirt and grime (without unwanted scratch marks) from no-wax and tile floors using 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water — mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor. For scuff marks, use baking soda on a clean damp sponge, then rinse.

20. Clean furniture
Clean and remove marks (even crayon) from walls and painted furniture by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.

21. Clean shower curtains
Clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinkling baking soda directly on a clean damp sponge or brush. Scrub the shower curtain and rinse clean. Hang it up to dry.

22. Boost your liquid laundry detergent
Give your laundry a boost by adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry to make liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash gets clothes cleaner, fresher, and brighter. Or you can add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle for fresher sheets and towels or to neutralize gym clothes and odoriferous clothing.

23. Clean and freshen sports gear
Use a baking soda solution (4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart warm water) to clean and deodorize smelly sports equipment. Sprinkle baking soda into golf bags and gym bags to deodorize and clean golf irons (without scratching them!) with a baking soda paste (3 parts baking soda to 1 part water) and a brush. Rinse thoroughly.

24. Remove oil and grease stains
Use baking soda to clean up light-duty oil and grease spills on your garage floor or in your driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.

25. Clean batteries
Baking soda can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers, etc., because its a mild alkali. Be sure to disconnect the battery terminals before cleaning. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water and apply with a damp cloth to scrub corrosion from the battery terminal. After cleaning and reconnecting the terminals, wipe them with petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Please be careful when working around a battery — they contain a strong acid.

26. Clean cars
Use baking soda to clean your car lights, chrome, windows, tires, vinyl seats, and floor mats without worrying about unwanted scratch marks. Use a baking soda solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. Apply with a sponge or soft cloth to remove road grime, tree sap, bugs, and tar. For stubborn stains use baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge or soft brush. Eliminate odors by sprinkling baking soda directly on fabric car seats and carpets. Wait 15 minutes (or longer for strong odors) and vacuum up the baking soda.

Deodorizing

27. Deodorize your refrigerator
Place an open box in the back of the fridge to neutralize odors.

28. Deodorize trashcans and recyclables
Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your trashcan to keep stinky trash smells at bay. Clean your recyclables container periodically by sprinkling baking soda on a damp sponge. Wipe clean and rinse. Also, sprinkle baking soda on top as you add recyclables to the bin.

29. Deodorize drains and garbage disposals
To deodorize your sink and tub drains and garbage disposal and keep lingering odors from resurfacing, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain while running warm tap water — it will neutralize both acid and basic odors for a fresh drain. (This a good way to dispose of baking soda that is being retired from your refrigerator.)

30. Deodorize and clean dishwashers
Use baking soda to deodorize before you run the dishwasher and then as a gentle cleanser in the wash cycle.

31. Deodorize lunch boxes
Between uses, place a spill-proof box of baking soda in everyone’s lunch box to absorb lingering odors.

32. Remove odor from carpets
Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let set overnight or as long as possible (the longer it sets the better it works). Sweep up the larger amounts of baking soda, and vacuum up the rest. (Note that your vacuum cleaner bag will get full and heavy.) An added bonus: You'll also deodorize your vacuum cleaner.

33. Freshen closets
Place a box on the shelf to keep the closet smelling fresh.

34. Deodorize pet items
Cover the bottom of your cat box with baking soda, then fill as usual with litter. To freshen between changes, sprinkle baking soda on top of the litter after a thorough cleaning. Eliminate odors from your pet's bedding by sprinkling liberally with baking soda, wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odors), then vacuum up.

35. Deodorize sneakers
Keep odors from spreading in smelly sneakers by shaking baking soda into them when not in use. Shake out before wearing.

36. Freshen stuffed animals
Keep favorite cuddly toys fresh with a dry shower of baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on and let it sit for 15 minutes before brushing off.

Miscellaneous

37. Cure all camping needs
Baking soda is a must-have for your next camping trip. It's a dish-washer, pot-scrubber, hand-cleanser, deodorant, toothpaste, and fire extinguisher, and has many other uses.

38. Extinguish fires
Baking soda can help in the initial handling of minor grease or electrical kitchen fires, because when baking soda is heated, it gives off carbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For small cooking fires (frying pans, broilers, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or electricity if you can safely do so. Stand back and throw handfuls of baking soda at the base of the flame to help put out the fire — and call the fire department just to be safe.

39. Care for the septic system
Regular use of baking soda in your drains can help keep your septic system flowing freely. One cup of baking soda per week will help maintain a favorable pH in your septic tank.

40. Scrub fruits and vegetables
Baking soda is the food safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge, scrub and rinse. Here’s another way to clean your vegetables as well.

To give credit where credit is due, original article is from here.
Got any other great ways to use baking soda? Do tell!

Lately...

2011-04-21T21:15:00.000-04:00

... been thinkin 'bout you baby... I couldn't help myself. Now that song will be stuck in my head for days. Anywho...it's been a couple weeks since I've posted and a lot has happened. This will be a VERY long and random post.

Here's our past two weeks in pictures:

1) Dan got bursitis. He waves it in my face, tries to get me to kiss it, constantly asks if I will massage the bursa sac (GROSS- but really, when you live with Dan you spend 95% of your time laughing because he really is hilarious). I "accidentally" bump it every single night while were asleep so I'm afraid it's never going to go away. If you don't know what bursitis is then we're on the same page.

2) We had an AMAZING private birth class with a doula, Melanie. It was very informative and we feel so much more in tune with the baby, what to expect, what our rights and options are and how to prepare for the actual birth. We have chosen some specific things about our birth that were super excited about but they will remain private :) Oh, and my best friend Ashley will be acting as our doula for our actual birth and we are SO happy about it- she has been a best friend to both Dan and I and we couldn't think of anyone better to help coach us through such a beautiful time!

3) We celebrated our first nephew's FIRST birthday- I know they say that time flies by and whoever "they" are weren't kidding. There are no words for how much we love this baby boy- it's been the craziest and most surreal thing to watch my brother have and raise a baby (with his beautiful wife, of course). On a side note, I'm also so glad they had a baby first because I would feel very unprepared for parenthood if it weren't for their wisdom! Donny & Kelly are our best friends and their support and guidance throughout our pregnancy has been wonderful.

4) We had a 3D/4D Ultrasound- my sister-in-law, Mandy, got us a gift card for my birthday (SHE IS AWESOME!) and it was a blast getting to see Kynlee's sweet face. I seriously can't stop staring at and talking about her grin- ask Dan, I bring it up about every ten minutes. Just look at her!

5) I spent the night in the hospital. Yes, thank you gastroenteritis (the "stomach bug") for befriending me TWICE in one month, making me severely dehydrated, sending me in to premature contractions and taking me on a fun little trip to the hospital. Then when I get there I violently vomited up the medicine they gave me, causing my blood pressure to drop to about 70 over 50, leading to them sticking me a billion times and giving me bruises all over my hands and arms and a wonderful sleepless night of doctors and nurses coming in every 30 minutes with a cheery voice poking and prodding me all over. Ok, but really, that was a very dramatic recap. It really was nothing and we are totally fine- Dan and I actually had fun and got to have lots of quality time together. It's so hard for me to not constantly go off on tangents about how wonderful Dan is and how he is my soulmate in every way (even though I know it gets annoying when people do this all the time), but seriously, he is wonderful. There is rarely a bad day or situation when you are married to Dan (love you sweetie!).

Wow, ONE more! I told you this was going to be super random and long...I don't blame you if you've completely lost interest at this point!

6) We finished painting the infamous $10 Craiglist dresser! I even added a little lace contact paper to the top of it to help protect it and for fun. I also found the PERFECT little side table to go next to our IKEA chair that Mama Wallace got us for our shower. It's purdy. And Dan finished the wainscoting (the wall molding, you can see it behind the dresser- he is so handy).

Remember our Craigslist dresser before

And now After

I still need to get some cool knobs from Anthro but you get the point. Below is the lace contact paper we added to the top- it's hard to see in pictures.

And, lastly, the purdy little side table I got, thanks to Hobby Lobby and their 40% off coupons!

Sorry for the long post, guess that's what happens when you don't blog for two weeks!

Peace and love,

84 Days

2011-04-07T11:50:00.001-04:00

How far along: 28 Weeks, 3rd Trimester officially!- 12 Weeks (84 days) to go :)
Total weight gain: 18 lbs and counting

Best moments this week: By far, my baby showers. We had the Hauer and Smith Family showers, one on Saturday and one on this past Sunday. They were beautiful (pics will come soon) and so much fun. If you know Dan and I then you know that we are VERY close with both of our families and it was so great to have everyone we love together at the same time to celebrate! A big shout out to my amazing mother who always goes the extra mile for me- she is an incredible woman. Kynlee is also moving and kicking like crazy and Dan and I have had so much fun feeling her move around. The other night I woke up to pee and couldn't fall back asleep. As I laid there I put my hand on my belly and swear I could feel her little formed head in my hand- she started to move around and kick me and we had this precious little bonding moment at 4am. I teared up and wanted so badly to just grab her out of my belly and have her there snuggling with me. I could feel God's presence in that moment and know He gave Kynlee and I that time to love on each other. My desire to hold her and know her is growing stronger day by day- I am so impatient!!
Food cravings: Just good ole' chocolate!
Gender: Sweet baby girl
What I miss: Nothing! I feel great, everything is going smoothly, no medical problems, my weight is right on. Besides the occasional frustration of over-doing it and paying for it, I can't complain.
What I am looking forward to: Our birthing class with a private doula this Saturday. We are going to learn all about natural birthing, more about nutrition and breastfeeding as well. I really really don't want to have a C-section- I know it's all in God's hands and if it comes down to being best for Kynlee, that's what we will do but I want to experience a vaginal birth (as crazy as that sounds). After witnessing my sister-in-law Kelly having a vaginal birth- there is just nothing like it. It is, by far, the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I kind of feel like C-sections are a cop-out (unless there is a true medical reason- then of course you should get one) but God created us to have babies a certain way and I want to know what that is like. I'm sure I offended some people with that one but you can't please everybody!
Milestones: This week my baby girl developed eyelashes. Why that, in particular, brought me to tears I have no clue but this is getting SO real people!

Maternity Shoot
Kelly emailed me about a month ago and asked when we wanted to do a maternity shoot and, at that point, I had decided I didn't want one. Honestly, I just get pictured-out sometimes. I get really sick of seeing pictures of myself and just don't ever want to come across like we love ourselves and love pictures of ourselves. haha. I don't know if that makes sense but that's how I was feeling. After telling her this, she really encouraged me to at least get a few of Dan and I together. She didn't get any with my brother during her pregnancy and really regretted it. So we just agreed that very casually when we were all hanging out sometime and there was good weather we would just snap some simple pics of Dan and I but nothing major. After my baby shower Sunday, we were all dressed up and the weather was GORGEOUS so we ran out in my parent's backyard and snapped a few. I'm glad we did- although you can tell that Dan and I were soo tired lol I know I will always treasure these photos. There are literally, just a few.

Check out Kelly's website Daphne Photo Studio for ALL of your photography needs! Plus, her and her other very talented photographer friend, Melanie from loft3 Photo & Design just launched a new Birth Photography business together called Beautiful Beginnings. (that may have been an overuse of the word photography...did you get all that?!!) EEK! I'm SO excited that Kelly will be photographing our birth- you should definitely check out the new website. There are great testimonials about other women's birthing experiences and lots of super cute pictures. It's fun being surrounded by such talented people!

Progress...

2011-03-31T21:12:00.001-04:00

I will never understand where time goes or what it is about getting older that makes it go faster and faster but here we are, about 13 weeks away from delivery and we are nowhere near where I thought we would be with the nursery. This should really be no surprise to me as I have completely unrealistic views on how long things take. I thought we'd have it mostly done in a weekend, maybe two to three at the max. Ya right. At this point, I'm just glad we have something done. Dan put up wainscoting (he's so talented!) and the paint is mostly done- pics to come soon on that.

Here's my DIY Cloud Light that I couldn't wait to do. This thing is going to take FOREVER. I already have about four hours in it and I'm maybe half-way done. But it's going to look very cool when it's finished and, after supplies, will have only cost me $10.

The pictures aren't great since it was after dark when I took them, but you can get the idea. Can you believe those are coffee filters?

It should look like this when I get it finished.

Here's the dresser we got for $10 on Craigslist. Dan is in the process of priming and painting, then I'm going to give it a bit of an "antique" finish so it looks semi-rustic/vintage. Look at the legs on that thing! So cool.

White, bubble lamps are all the rage right now but I've been having trouble finding one that is not outrageously priced. While picking up some supplies at Lowes the other night, look what I came across for $25? Who would have thought- at Lowes of all places! But I LOVE it and may go back to get another!

The End

Freak Out!

2011-03-23T14:13:00.000-04:00

This past week I've been thinking a lot about my priorities and how they will be changing with the arrival of a baby. I have to admit that this pregnancy has been a bit of a struggle for me mentally- it's weird admitting this but I feel like any new mother would probably understand. Since Dan and I were not actively trying to get pregnant, we were not already in baby mode or baby mindset. The best way I explain it to anyone is we went from planning a trip to Ireland to planning a nursery overnight. Some people get married knowing they are ready to start a family right away, some maybe get bored in their marriage and feel like a baby will bring new adventures but we were in neither position. As cheesy as it sounds, our relationship had never been better and literally every day we were growing stronger and closer and more in love. Our first year of marriage was a dream (this came after a very stressful engagement) so, needless to say, a baby was not on our radar.
With all of that said, I spent the first few months of pregnancy completely freaked out (it could have also been the deliriousness from puking my guts out on a daily basis) I would only talk about it to Dan but, after opening up to some others, I realized I was not alone. It's a REALLY big deal to bring a human being in to the world and be 100% responsible for a person- how could you not be somewhat nervous about it all. I now understand why it takes 40 weeks to grow a baby. It is really God's perfect way of giving you time to prepare and I can now sincerely and genuinely say I am more ready than ever and excited to meet our baby girl. But, let me tell you, it has been a process for me to get here. And I don't feel bad about admitting it either. This is one of the greatest things Dan and I will ever do as a married couple-to pour our hearts over this is the least we can do. I feel as though we would have done Kynlee an injustice if we hadn't spent hours talking about this with each other, with God, with family, friends and fully preparing ourselves for her arrival.
So- there it is. Our priorities are going to change and I'm glad to say I am ready for it (Dan has been 150% ready the whole time- he also doesn't have 500 million hormones pumping through his body, nor is he getting fat). I've been feeling too caught up in the world and caring too much about my appearance and material things and I'm looking forward to becoming a true sacrifice for our little girl. Even if it means I can't shower everyday, afford all the latest clothes, get 9 hours of glorious sleep, go shopping whenever I want, and all of the other selfish things I do on a weekly basis- I am ok with this. I know God has been calling me to get back to the basics and what life is really all about and Kynlee is just the girl to teach me! Phew....who is exhausted? That was a heavy post- thanks for hangin in there with me.

So...even though I have quit obsessing over Kynlee's nursery decor having to be perfect- I still have a nursery to put together! Here are some things I've found inspiration in lately:

I LOVE the navy, whites and yellows in this room. This is almost the exact dresser we got on Craiglist (for $10!) and are painting white- this room is the perfect mix of vintage/rustic/modern.

Below is a print I found here on Etsy. It's called "Daydream List". I am such a daydreamer and I hope Kynee is too. To see the beauty and importance in daydreaming just makes my heart happy.

EEK- aren't these the most adorable vintage, feminine prints you've ever seen? (OK, maybe not ever but YUM!) They are also a recent find on Etsy from here.

6 Months

2011-03-10T19:40:00.003-05:00

How far along? 24 Weeks, aka 6 Months
Total weight gain: up 14 lbs and I feel great. I'm hungry constantly, therefore I eat constantly. It's definitely a part-time job coming up with enough healthy snacks to last me the whole work day- it's ridiculous how many things I throw in my lunch sac in the morning.
Best moments this week: We registered for things for Kynlee and my birthday! I told Dan that although I don't feel 26, when I was younger and thought about what I would be doing at this age this is exactly where I imagined myself- married, playing house, with a baby on the way. It is exciting to see so many dreams come true (and very surreal at the same time). Sometimes we just feel overwhelmed at God's grace in our lives.
Food cravings: Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. Never ever have I liked this in my life until a couple weeks ago I had to have it.
Gender: GIRL!!!
What I miss: My regular clothes and being able to do what I want. Pregnancy is definitely teaching me how to be more selfless- there are things I really want to do or eat but I don't because it's just not what's best for my baby girl and every mother can attest to feeling 100% responsible for the health of your baby. All of MY actions affect her and that freaks me out!
What I am looking forward to: My baby showers- I can't wait to have all my favorite people together celebrating :-) We also CAN NOT WAIT to meet Kynlee!! I'm so impatient- I just want to know all about her and hug her and kiss her for hours! We are both VERY affectionate so, needless to say, she will never lack in that area.
Milestones: There has been progress on the nursery- and that is a milestone!

Some other pregnancy pics from lately

The pillow below is my most recent purchase for the nursery. Did I mention I took this picture with my BRAND NEW CAMERA?! Happy Birthday to me!! Dan got me a Rebel and it is amazing. Of course I don't really know how to use it yet- this was shot in manual mode but it's a little out of focus. But I will learn. Thanks to my awesome hubby- he's so good to me :)

Oatmeal Baths & Light Clouds

2011-03-04T11:20:00.000-05:00

Wow...it has been one of those physically and emotionally draining weeks. Between Dan having food poisoning and me going on Day 9 of an awful allergic rash all over my body that I have seen three specialists about and no one can diagnose or treat (did I mention I am allergic to pregnancy?) we have also been dealing with some very sad situations around us that will go unmentioned. It's not too often anymore that I intentionally sit back and reflect on life. But after a week like this, it is much needed. Sometimes things happen that just don't make sense at the time but after really reflecting, praying and listening to God, it all becomes clear. Life just isn't perfect and it never goes as planned but that doesn't mean God is not there. In our brokeness we draw the closest to God.

Last night I was soaking my rash covered self in an oatmeal bath and Dan came in to hang out with me. Some of my favorite times with Dan are hanging out in the bathroom (don't worry- this isn't going to get weird). I just sincerely love to be squooshed in our tiny little bathroom laughing and talking about nothing with him. So he came in last night while I was soaking, used the toilet as a seat and read some Proverbs 3 (it was March 3rd so that's why we picked 3) to me. It was exactly what we needed. Two parts of that chapter spoke to the physical and emotional hurts we have been feeling:

Proverbs 3:7-8

"Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones."

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight."

Today we are feeling thankful for what we do have and letting God handle the rest :)

I can't let this end on such a heavy note.... did I mention I found the DIY light I'm going to make for the nursery? Check it out here: Cloud Like Light from Kara Paslay Designs.

Here's a pic of the final product- sooo yummy!

Nursery Yumminess

2011-02-24T16:14:00.001-05:00

After spending HOURS scouring websites, baby blogs, design forums, you name it....I have finally laid out a basic plan for the nursery. This includes the furniture, art, decor and color scheme. Below is the basic moodboard for the room (never heard of a moodboard? Check out hundreds of them from my favorite blog Young House Love here). Some of the items are just inspirations and I will be on the lookout for much cheaper alternatives.

So there you have it! This is the general scheme of things. I'm not a very "pink" person and I wanted a very vintage modern/eclectic feel. I want the room to be light and airy but colorful and warm at the same time. Here's a run-down on where everything is from:

*Wallpaper- Block Begonia -Anthropologie

*Pendant Chandelier- Capiz Blossom Pendant- Pottery Barn Teen

*Artwork- You're My Favorite Work of Art- Etsy Love Sugar
*Orange Elephant- Elephant Bank- Urban Outfitters

*Dresser Knobs- Assortment- Anthropologie

*Pillow- Yellow Rosettes Decorative Pillow- Target

*Fabrics- Florals by Spoonflower

*White Chair & Ottoman- EKTORP in Blekinge White- IKEA

*Floor Rug- Whorled Trapunto Rug in Gold- Anthropologie

*Lamp- Fruiteria Lamp- Where else? Anthropologie
*Magnetic Wall Flowers (ignore the green wall they are pictured on)- Umbra Wallflower Wall Decor- Amazon.com

*Dresser- Craigslist ($10!)- This isn't the ACTUAL dresser but it is very, very similar.

Dan and I are picking it up on Saturday and then we plan on re-finishing it sometime soon.

Well- wish us luck as we get started on this bad boy. I will post our progress as it happens!

Don't Forget

2011-02-22T10:21:00.000-05:00

Lately I hear God whispering this to me over and over again. Every now and then I need a good, swift kick in the rear to get my mind back to the correct way of thinking. It's hard when you're pregnant to not be distracted by thoughts and anxieties about what the future is going to hold- my mind has literally been flooded with worries about the baby's health, things falling in to place at work after I have the baby (cause I'm not comin back full-time-praise God), maternity leave, the actual delivery of the baby, my health- am I exercising enough....bleh! And I pray A LOT but mostly out of my anxiousness. God is such a wonderful Father that He just keeps telling me not to forget that He really IS in control and the beauty of God is that I don't have to worry about these things- He already has them in His hands and has a plan. Dan and I have felt such a strong calling lately to live our lives with our palms open, hands lifted high in surrender to whatever God calls us to do. It's an exciting way to live spiritually but can bring about a lot of worries as well. So, just a kind encouragement and reminder to all of us that we can't forget that God's plan is always better and is always in our best interest. Life lived with God is life lived to the fullest.

Don't Forget.

Next up on the blog...nursery decor fun! Check out this yummy print I'm ordering from this Etsy shop for the nursery- love it.

Kynlee Jamison Hauer

2011-02-17T16:02:00.001-05:00

Hello GIRL. I keep saying to Dan over and over "I can't believe you made a girl." He's just so manly and such a strong presence that I always assumed he was only capable of producing little boys- I imagined us having ourselves a whole little football team (maybe a few adoptions thrown in there after this pregnancy!). But a girl- oh a beautiful little girl- it just makes my heart happy. If you pay attention to your mind and body, it's crazy what it can tell you. For instance, I literally knew the second we got pregnant that we were, in fact, pregnant (even though, let me stress that we were NOT trying). I went in to work the next day and matter-of-factly announced it my co-worker (and good friend), Staci, that we got pregnant last night. She kinda laughed and we went about our business and 3 weeks later came the positive pregnancy test (with a few "maybe it's just bad gas" moments thrown in there). During those three weeks I could feel my insides moving around- ya, creepy. I've had dreams about a girl and overall peace about it- like God was preparing me for a "cheerleader" instead of the little football team. And...to top it off Dan and his mom both had very vivid dreams about girls on the same night just three days before our big ultrasound. So, here we are- with our very own girl. Miss Kynlee Jamison Hauer. And thrilled, excited, in love, amazed don't even begin to describe how we feel.

What's in a Name:

*Kynlee- ever since I heard this name I knew it would be our first girl. It doesn't have any special family or spiritual meaning except that I just love it. It's a name I never get tired of saying (which is important since I'll probably say it for the next 50+ years!) It's unique, beautiful and just fits Dan and I perfectly.

*Jamison- I always wanted to incorporate a family name and here it is. This is the beautiful middle name of Dan's beautiful little sister, Haley, whom we ADORE. Jamison is the maiden name of Dan's Grandma and I like to think of it as the female version of "James" which is the name of both of Dan's Grandpas, his dad, his oldest brother and our new little nephew.

Some people find it strange that we are already announcing the gender and the name but we LOVE calling her by her name. Everyday we talk to our sweet Kynlee- it has made us feel incredibly connected to her in a way we hadn't felt yet.

Here are the pictures from our ultrasound (no 3D or 4D- we're saving our money for the nursery!):

Yup, it's a girl. Sitting indian style. Inside of me. Which is how I sit at my desk every single day.

Did I mention that we full-on-no-holding-back BAWLED our eyes out? Dan has maybe seen me cry a handful of times, I'm just not very emotional and I had tears pouring down my face from the second I saw her moving on the screen. I just laughed at my emotional self the whole time.

The end. Next up- nursery ideas. My mind is EXPLODING with them!

18-19 Weeks

2011-02-04T12:06:00.000-05:00

How far along? 19 Weeks, 1 Day
Total weight gain: up 7-8 lbs since pre-pregnancy. Oh holy increased appetite these past couple weeks. I feel like eating has become my secondary language. My pants still fit everywhere except my belly and it's getting a little awkward as each week I un-button another button and have now moved on to letting down the zipper. All my cows are getting out and it just doesn't feel right lol.
Sleep: still good. Consistently waking up to pee at least once a night but I have almost fully adjusted to side-sleeping so no complaints.
Best moments this week: Dan kissing my belly every day before he leaves for work. It's hard to have a bad day when it starts so sweet.
Food cravings: Dark.Chocolate. It haunts me.
Gender: Our big ultrasound is Valentines Day <3 and we are definitely counting down the days!
What I miss: Painting. I have so many DIY projects around the house I want to do but they all involve paint.
What I am looking forward to: peace of mind. I am a compulsive freaker-outter/chronic worrier. Right now, I haven't felt the baby move hardly at all and it's making me nervous. Even more so than finding out the gender, I'm looking forward to our big ultrasound so I can see that the baby is developing normal and is just being lazy :) Even though God and my husband reassure me everyday that everything is fine, I can't help it- I am a mother now- this is what I'm supposed to do!
Milestones: Ordered maternity pants- I hope I like them.

Here's what I see everyday- my feet are slowing disappearing!

Stay tuned because sometime next weekend we will be starting a poll for guessing the baby's gender and there will be a prize in the form of a gift card for the winner. You don't want to miss it.

Dan's Birthday Weekend

2011-02-01T13:38:00.001-05:00

Dan turned 25....finally. For 5 weeks we are the same age then somewhere around early March I resume my title as a "Cougar" in the relationship. Although... the average years a man lives is significantly shorter than a woman so marrying younger just lowers my odds of hitting the widow years sooner. Truth be told, I kind of like being a cougar...

For some reason Dan was extra excited about his birthday this year so I wanted to make it a little extra special. Planned out lots of fun stuff/family time, a little extra spoiling and lots of presents in-between and it really was a great time. Thank you to everyone who helped make it extra special for him!

We watched Haley cheer, ate LOTS of GOOD food (breakfast for dinner or Brinner as Dan calls it), I made my first carrot cake from scratch, Dan got some cool stuff that will now help him successfully skin a deer (yay), our nephew Corbin had his first sleepover ever and it was with us (he was PERFECT, we were practicing) and lots of quality time was spent with friends/family. I'd say it was a success.

Have I mentioned yet that I can't wait until Dan buys me a really nice camera?! Oh well....the pics are low quality but it's the memories that matter I suppose :)

Happy Birthday Honey! You.Complete.Me <3

Caitlin's Wedding Shower

2011-01-23T22:00:00.000-05:00

My good friend, Caitlin, is getting married in less than three weeks and I couldn't be happier for her! Her wedding will be a beautiful affair, but also a bittersweet ending to an era of wedding showers, bachelorette parties and, ultimately, wedding days. Sure there will be more but not between us girls. We are now moving on to baby showers, which is just surreal. These past two years have been filled with so many wonderful memories of all of our weddings and the fun activities that come along with. Time really does fly when you're having fun!

I'm sad to say that my camera's lens got some moisture in it so some of these pics are a bit blurry. I really can't wait until my husband buys me a nice Rebel w/ a sweet lens to go with (hint hint...). I have been completely spoiled with Donny & Kelly's cameras and, while my little point and shoot has been faithful for a couple years, I am ready to move on to something better...REALLY ready.

Caitlin's sister, Megan, had some paybacks coming for a game Caitlin played on her for her wedding shower. Megan asked Caitlin's fiance, Steve, a bunch of questions and if Caitlin's answer didn't match his she had to put a marshmallow in her mouth- it was hilarious.

PRETTY!!

I just love these girls! All of us minus Rachel & Britt :(

CONGRATS CAITLIN! Can't wait for all the fun to take place in the next couple weeks :)

Under Construction

2011-01-21T09:13:00.002-05:00

Please ignore my blogger header as I am "re-decorating" the blog and having some issues. Should be resolved soon :)

17 Weeks

2011-01-20T15:59:00.000-05:00

My sister-in-law found a great format on a baby blog to keep track of your pregnancy weekly. I wasn't going to do it but she really encouraged me to, even just for myself to be able to look back and remember the wonderful journey of pregnancy :) So, here goes.

How far along? 17 Weeks
Total weight gain: up 4 lbs since pre-pregnancy. My 4 month barf-athon is just now slowing down so Doc and I are happy that I've gained something!
Sleep: still good. At 16 weeks it is strongly encouraged to quit sleeping on your back, and, as an avid back sleeper, it's been a bit of an adjustment. I wake up all night long, paranoid that I've rolled to my back but besides that I'm still very comfortable.
Best moments this week: 1) We had a Dr.'s appt and got to hear the heartbeat again. We are like little kids in a candy store when we go to the doctor- we are super giddy, can't keep our hands off each other and you couldn't get us to stop smiling if you tried! 2) I have been able to make dinner a couple nights this week and actually eat it. I have "morning" sickness in the evening so for the past 3 1/2 months I literally have not been able to go near food, smell it, eat it, let alone cook it after 4pm. I, along with my poor starving husband, have REALLY missed cooking.
Food cravings: Fruit, chocolate and lots of water, please.

Gender: We just scheduled our big ultrasound for Valentines Day <3
What I miss: Lunch meat sandwiches & guilt-free eating.
What I am looking forward to: Finding out the baby's gender! I can't wait to get started decorating that nursery!
Milestones: Officially in my 2nd trimester

There is really no way to physically or mentally prepare yourself for pregnancy- mostly because you have NO idea what yours is going to be like. I never imagined I would be as sick as I have been but even if I had known- there's really no preparing for how it truly is. All I know is that millions of women have done this for hundreds of years and that encourages me that I can do it too. It's been tough working full-time and trying to keep up with everyday life as well but God always gives me just enough to make it through and that's all I need :-) It's all worth it and nothing, not even feeling like hell, can steal our joy away!

Keep Manhattan, Just Give Me That Countryside

2010-12-09T19:34:00.004-05:00

Lately, Dan and I have become obsessed with looking at land and properties- we spend almost every Sunday afternoon driving around the west side of the city discovering new areas and plotting our great move (which won't happen for a while). For all you east-siders- you just can't beat the west side. You may have new beginnings but we have rich history and character and that makes my heart beat wildly. We stalk all things Real Estate and dream, dream, dream. We've narrowed down what we want and it's specific but oh it will be worth the wait when we find it. We want lots of land to custom build a new house and it will look like a house that's been around for a hundred years. Big, wrap around porch, rocking chairs pointed to the west, chickens, babies, cows, veggies- all things self-sustaining. I can't wait for farm life.

Besides about a hundred other things, I knew Dan was going to be my husband when he started talking about his dream of having a farm and lots of land. I said let's get to the church right now. I mean, seriously? I've only wanted that MY ENTIRE LIFE. It is so evident that God tailored Dan and I for each other in so many ways but this one just sealed the deal. And, if we have our very own self-sustaining farm, I can walk around bare foot in my robe all day, getting dirty, not having to shower and no one will even know.

I want a place where we can take people in if they need somewhere to stay, a place for the youth group at our church to come and swim in the pond, ride quads and frolick in the fields all day long, where our kids will learn what "work" really means and they will learn to use their imagination because TV will not be a part of their daily lives. Technology does not impress me nor does it make me happy but give me a good day in the country and I feel truly alive. I know that God has big plans for our farm and it will truly be a refuge for those in need.

Although I would love a classic white farmhouse, Dan insists on a brick and stone house and since he will be the one building it I suppose that will do :)

Coming Soon.... here's a little sneak peak of a shoot we recently did with the ever-talented Kelly Smith from Daphne Photo Studio....trust me, you will want to stay tuned for the rest ;)

Wisdom

2010-12-07T14:34:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I forget the power in asking God for wisdom. Lately I've been reading the book of Proverbs and every time I do it speaks so much to me. Don't just ask God to help you solve things in life but ask Him for the tools such as wisdom, understanding, grace, common sense and He will gladly give them to you- but you have to ask...

Love this:

Proverbs 3
My son, do not forget my teaching,
   but keep my commands in your heart,
² for they will prolong your life many years
   and bring you peace and prosperity.
³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
   bind them around your neck,
   write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
   in the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.^[a]
⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
   fear the LORD and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
   and nourishment to your bones.
⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth,
   with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
   and your vats will brim over with new wine.
¹¹ My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,
   and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
   as a father the son he delights in.^[b]
¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
   those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
   and yields better returns than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies;
   nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;
   in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways,
   and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
   those who hold her fast will be blessed.
¹⁹ By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations,
   by understanding he set the heavens in place;
²⁰ by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
   and the clouds let drop the dew.
²¹ My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
   preserve sound judgment and discretion;
²² they will be life for you,
   an ornament to grace your neck.
²³ Then you will go on your way in safety,
   and your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
   when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster
   or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
²⁶ for the LORD will be at your side
   and will keep your foot from being snared.
²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
   when it is in your power to act.

^{Look how big my little Bubby is getting... He will be EIGHT months on Dec 15th- so crazy!}

Yup. I Blogged About Health Again.

2010-11-11T12:50:00.001-05:00

For the past couple years I have become extremely interested in nutrition, exercise and the notion that "you are what you eat." There is something to be said about taking an interest in your health and I think it's important for every person to do so- no matter where you are in life. The main reason I started to become so interested in this topic was the own decline of my health, my energy and my skin. I moved to Atlanta, GA in 2006 where I developed very bad eating, sleeping and lack of exercise habits, not to mention a ridiculously busy schedule that added to the above. When I moved back home in the summer of 2007 I knew I needed a change. I had gained a whopping 15lbs in a matter of 9 months, which wouldn't have been a huge deal if that had been healthy, muscle weight but alas it was all contributed to poor eating and exercise habits. I felt gross and was pretty depressed about it for a while. My mother had jumped on the health bandwagon, thank God, at the time and helped kick start me in to a healthy lifestyle (thanks mom :)). Although I still struggle with low energy levels, I can definitely say I am MUCH healthier and happier than I have ever been.

It can be overwhelming and disheartening once you start down the healthy road.... you will discover things that will make you cringe and it's hard to even know where to start. I have been researching hundreds of health topics over the past three years and in the process have developed a healthy anger towards the FDA and America's standards on eating and exercise.

There's SO much to discuss on this topic that I don't even know where to start either... all I can say is it really does not surprise me that so many diseases are/have been on the rise including ADHD (hmm... have you noticed the main ingredient in most kid's foods-SUGAR), cancer, high cholesterol, heart attacks, hypertension, obesity etc... I bet if you read through and researched the ingredients in a lot of foods on your cupboard's shelves you would be disgusted. The amount of chemicals, preservatives and toxins in foods is UNREAL and here's the catcher- the FDA knows about it all and yet it is still legal. why? Because those unsafe ingredients are cheap to produce in large quantities and people buy them.

Today I read another article on how unsafe your nail-polish is for you and how many women around my age, who have been unknowingly using nail-polish for years, have extremely high levels of a very toxic chemical called DBP which has been linked to numerous health risks (this is what spurred my rants and raves today). UGH- I just find this so frustrating- all these years I had no clue that nail-polish was that bad for you and I almost feel like I'm finding out too late. Check out this article, Nail Polish Dangers to read more about it. Also, here's a great place to order All Natural Nail Polish.

All I can say to conclude this post is be mindful of what you are feeding yourself and especially, if you have children, what you are feeding them. As overwhelming as it can be, there are fortunately hundreds of thousands of people who are aware of these same health dangers and the number of all natural products available to consumers continues to grow daily. Dan & I have found that it is near impossible to eat ALL healthy all the time (sometimes I just can't turn down fried pickles, curly fries from Arbys or Graeters Ice Cream!) but 95% of the time healthy is what we choose and what we have come to love.

{Been A Long Time}

2010-10-29T10:09:00.000-04:00

Remember that post where I said I was more motivated than ever to keep up with my blog? Well....I guess I lied. Or, really , just failed because at the time I really meant it. Anywho...life has slowed down quite a bit and I feel the need to get back to blogging. No promises on how long it will last this time but I'm gonna give it a shot anyway.

I think I go through periods of life where I just feel like I have nothing to say (although my husband would disagree). I don't feel inspired by much or I just don't feel like anything I would say is really that interesting or important. I could talk about Dan all day and how much I love being married but I know that can get annoying so I am trying to not be so "newlywed" when it comes to that kind of stuff (trying is the key word here!).

Our lives are very ordinary and I wouldn't want it any other way. I have really come to enjoy the simple things in life like having time to turn on some music, clean the house, organize, just be lazy with Dan, read a third of a book and then never touch it again (cause I can), browse through target for hours, actually have money to buy something at target, and all of the other little things that compose our ordinary days.

Our church is doing a sermon series titled "Up" and it's all about just speaking to God- whether you are speaking your doubts, your anger, your thankfulness, whatever it is. Just don't stop connecting with Him. I love this because it is truly my heart. I am by no means a perfect Christian but if there is always one area I have thrived in, it has been speaking with God. I know for a fact this is what has carried me throughout all these years as a Christian. I can't imagine going one day without talking to God about something. You could call it praying or whatever you want but I know that God is happy when His people make Him a part of their everyday lives and it makes me happy to serve a God who cares about our everyday lives.

I encourage you to speak to God today- even if just for five minutes! I am thanking God right now that its almost the weekend and I have nothing but R&R time on the schedule :-)

Here are some more pics of our precious nephew, James, born last week- nothing like a fresh baby!

Uhm, Yes Please

2010-06-30T15:58:00.000-04:00

I have become a die hard fashion lover over the past few years. While I don't always wear whats trendy- I certainly stalk it. I read about it, surf the internet looking at pictures of it, and I constantly think about it. Whenever Dan is out and about and I have the whole house to myself I secretly go in to my closet and put together different outfits, try all my clothes on and prance around like a little girl getting ready for the first day of school. This trait definitely comes from my mother. There is nothing like feeling cute and confident in the clothes you're wearing and maybe some of you other girls out there can appreciate how uncomfortable and annoying a bad outfit can make you feel- it can actually affect your mood (at least mine!). Am I alone on this?

Anywho, I'm going to start showcasing things I come across that I love whether it be fashion, another blog, photography etc... I do NOT in any way consider myself someone who is on top of the trendy, fashion world but it is something I love and that can not be denied.

I came across this dress while surfing J. Crew's website- if I were to get married tomorrow this would be my dress. I'd pair it with some ruffled shoes and a big flower headband in my hair (and did you see the pockets??). Can't you just see it now.....yum.

I'm also digging the tucked in look- especially for work. I am finding this a good reason to go shopping since I have no skirts- really, Dan- I promise, you can look through the closet and you will find none (ok, maybe ONE but it's from years ago....) :)

It's Not Summer.

2010-06-24T10:06:00.000-04:00

It's not. It's not summer yet- I haven't had one of Randy's homegrown tomatoes, or gone swimming in my parent's pool. It's not summer because everyday at 7am I wake up and go to work, instead of the pool or the park- it can't be the time of year when your only care is what flavor Popsicle should I have for breakfast? No sand is stuck in my toes, there is no lingering smell of aloe from my sunburn and no wedgies have permanently made their home in my *** from tubing and water skiing too much.

Someone tell me what happened to summer???

This is the part of growing up that makes me bitter. I think this year I just might take a Staycation and try to enjoy all the things I used to when I was younger and didn't have so many responsibilities. Who says you have to travel to another state, city or country to have fun? Watch out mom and dad- you just might find me popping up on your doorstep one day soon, in my two piece, sunscreen in one hand, a cheesy romance novel in the other, demanding a place by the pool. A girl can dream....

Refuge

2010-06-21T15:59:00.003-04:00

Psalm 46
"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging."

small dreams come true

2010-06-03T10:52:00.001-04:00

Recently, Dan & I finally had the opportunity to put landscaping in our front yard. While this may sound silly- it is a small dream come true for me. You see, Dan's parents used to live in this house and Dan actually spent his first year of life there. It's a VERY special house and we knew since the time we got engaged, it was where we would spend our first years together (and Lord willing have our first baby here :)). We have been working on this house for a long time now, remodeling, cleaning and loving on it to make it in to our home. I can recall countless days thinking we will never get this place done, when will it ever feel like home? The landscaping is just a small part of the big picture but it represents the fact that we have come a long way and that God has truly honored our hard work and blessed our humble, little home. And that is what it is.....home.

I took before pics but I am pretty sure they got deleted- I can't find them anywhere! The front beds had NOTHING but weeds so all our plants are young, little and fresh. I am so thankful to have married such a handy man, he truly is a jack of all trades- very creative also. It is so fun watching them grow already!

This is the front- not the greatest pic but you get the idea. Mama Hauer gave us some Halcyon, also known as "blue hostas". I love them! We also splurged and bought ourselves a little Japanese Maple (far left)- this is Dan's favorite.

Our front door- Dan, his dad and brother had to redo the front steps cause they were sinking and cracked- eventually we're going to strip and paint the front door also

These suckers are growing like CRAZY! This is a conglomeration of five different plants I potted together....Miracle Grow totally works! I'm gonna have to split these soon if anyone wants some :)

A little grass gift from Mama Hauer below

Grow, plants, grow!

commitment

2010-05-27T14:24:00.006-04:00

Believe it or not, I have always struggled with commitment. I don't like promising my time to someone or something weeks before it has happened, I find it strange and it makes me feel trapped. But...I have learned and continue to learn daily how important commitment is. Take a job, for example, there are plenty of days where I don't feel like coming to work but the people at my job depend on me and whether I feel like going or not, it is important that I do.

I guess thats really what I continue to learn the most...is how to separate what I feel from what needs to happen. I was taught once that "right choices bring right feelings". When I get up, force myself to go to work , especially when I don't 'feel' like it- I am always surprised at how proud I am of myself and happy that I put aside how I felt and did something anyway.

Of course, the biggest commitment I have ever made and ever will make is marriage. I was never apprehensive to get married, especially because Dan is pretty close to perfect and I would have been an idiot to pass that up! But I was nervous that I would choose my feelings over my commitment too much once we were married. It's something I gave to God and He has helped me SO much, it amazes me. I apsolutely love being married, and while it definitely has it's hard days, I am committed for life!

What sprang this topic in my mind was hearing the song "love is not a fight" by warren barfield. If you've never heard it you HAVE to have a listen (below). Here's what really struck me hard:

"Love is not a place
To come and go as we please
It's a house we enter in
And then commit to never leave"

Too often, when a marriage or a job or a friendship hits a rough patch, the first thought can be to run- but these words are powerful "love is not a place we come and go as we please"-love, friendship, marriage, commitment- these are all very precious things that unfortunately have lost a lot of value. We should treat love and all these things for what they really are : valuable, precious, blessings, gifts from God.

Have a listen to the song here.

Here are some couples who have been an amazing example to Dan & I of what commitment really looks like:

Mom and Dad Smith

Donny & Kelly Smith

Mom & Dad Hauer

Our Pastors/Mentors- we will always have a special place in our hearts for all the love, counseling and support they have given Dan & I while we were dating/engaged. We love you guys!

dreams & goo goo dolls

2010-05-12T11:44:00.000-04:00

Have you ever reached a point in your life where you quit dreaming? I definitely have. It almost crushes my spirit to admit this because I've always been a daydream believer. I used to spend any quiet time I had dreaming- whether in the car, in the evening, while I'm supposed to be doing something else. I didn't even realize I had reached this point until the daily devotional I am reading brought up the subject. There I was, sitting at my desk eating lunch, and as soon as I read the topic of the day my heart just sank- I knew this was going to hit me hard- and it did.

I have just gotten caught up in the mundane, day-to-day routines and somewhere along the way I got more involved in what I was doing instead of putting effort in to who I am becoming and what I and God desire for my life.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"- Eleanor Roosevelt

So, with God's help and my husband's, I've started dreaming again. It's actually hard. I realized that dreams and goals coincide and one helps you fulfill the other. I'm starting a list of things I want to do. Goals and Dreams. Someday I will post them- but for now my first goal is just to start.

On a lighter note..... Dan surprised me with tickets to see the Goo Goo Dolls in concert a couple weeks ago! I LOVE them! The concert was this past weekend and we seriously had a blast! It was in Columbus so we went up a little early and ate at Ted Montana's Grill after seeing them on the Food Network and ate some Bison and awesome Onion Rings! The concert was held at the Palace Theatre and it was beautiful- I couldn't help but imagine how magical it must have been to see a play there years ago. Here are some pics from the day:

an apple a day

2010-04-08T16:02:00.000-04:00

I am not really a big apple eater but for some reason lately I have started eating them again and love the way I feel after I do! I can seriously tell a difference in the way I feel when I eat one. Try eating one in the morning- it is said they will give you more energy than a cup of coffee (and no let down a half hour later!)

Some Fun Facts: (Taken from organicfacts.net)

Nutritional Value of Apple:
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. The health benefits of apple are enormous making it one of the most valuable and savored fruits throughout the world.
Nutrition Facts and Information about Apple: Apple contains minerals such as magnesium, copper, manganese, copper, calcium, iron, potassium and phosphorus in small quantities. Apple also contains dietary fiber, which help in reducing the bad cholesterol levels.
Vitamin Content: Apple is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Vitamin A concentration is higher in the outer skin than the flesh. Like potatoes, Vitamin C concentration is higher just below the skin in apples also. Hence the skin of the apple should not be discarded. Other vitamins present in apple include Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, and Vitamin B6.
Calorie Content of Apple: Apple does not have calories as high as avocado or olives, yet, it is an excellent source of energy. The calorie content varies as per the type of apple. Further, apple contains sugars which are easily absorbed by the body. Hence, the weak and ill are often advised to eat apples for gaining weight and fast recovery.
Health Benefits of Apple: The nutritional value of apple makes it useful for digestion, stomach disorders, anaemia, wekness, dental care, dysentry, heart disease, rheumatism, eye disorders, cancer, gout, and skin care.
How to Choose an Apple: When you buy an apple make sure that the apple skin is shiny. Further, the apple should be firm and free of wrinkles.

laid an egg

2010-04-05T09:40:00.001-04:00

I can't believe Easter has already come and gone. We had such an awesome day with family and friends, great weather and some serious FUN! Easter has become my favorite holiday, not just because of all the sugar, excitement, sunshine but mostly because of what it represents. I have definitely been in the "desert" spiritually for the past couple years and It's been a really tough battle for me. But the past couple months God has really grabbed a hold of my heart again- in a fierce way. Feeling renewed and revived made yesterday that much more special to me. I was incredibly moved by our church service and really felt God's presence lingering with me all day- it was beautiful and much needed. God really comes through for us and right when we need it. Dan and I have been experiencing so much of God in our marriage and I can't even tell you what a difference this has made for us- we are stronger than we have ever been and it really feels magical.

Ok, enough of all the serious stuff..... in our family, on my dad's side, I am the youngest (aka the baby) so we do an adult easter egg hunt since there are "technically" (I use this very loosely) no kids in the family. My Aunt Diana brings all the craft supplies, and while the ladies decorate our easter bags the men go and hide the eggs all around my parent's yard. We are all very competitive, as you will see below. Last year I kicked butt and decided this year I would go easy on the old folks ;)

Working hard on our Easter Bags

Get Ready....

GO!!

My mom won! She did not mess around!

My parents live out in the country- so we also got to spend some time at the pond in their backyard- it was so peaceful.

My dad and his first "grandson" Opie. This dog LOVES my dad!

My pretty mama just relaxing

And, last but not least, we had a wonderful lunch with Dan's family- they have been such a blessing to us and I am so thankful for them!

This is Haley's Easter Basket :)

I decided to stick it under my dress.....

....and then I laid an egg.

Hope everyone had an awesome Easter!

tired of being tired

2010-04-02T10:07:00.001-04:00

If you are close to me then you probably know that I have struggled with fatigue for a couple years now. I attribute this to a hormonal imbalance but I can not seem to find a medical professional to back me on this or take the time to really help me (frustrating!). I have seen lots of doctors and even had to FIGHT with one to get them to just take a simple blood test to check my hormone balance- guess what, they were out of range! Even then, the only thing they offer to "fix" the problem is to get on birth control- no thanks. I have continually prayed about this and still do.... I believe God reveals things to me in His time and when He knows I am listening. I also believe whole heartedly that eating good and exercising are VITAL to having energy and getting my body in balance. Even with making proper diet changes, taking my vitamins, exercising I still find myself in a slump every now and again (maybe its all that ice cream I've been eating lately...).

With that said, I was praying about it this morning and believe that God put this article in front of me as a reminder of what I should/shouldn't be eating. Even though I have read these things over and over again in the past, its always good to be reminded! Its really amazing how God has packed food full of all the nutrients we need to help our bodies, yet we continually eat bad and blame God for all our health problems- seems a little hypocritical, huh?

Check it Out:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/fight-fatigue-energy-foods-6/power-up?page=3

grace

2010-04-01T15:52:00.001-04:00

"This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace"- Colossians 1:6

I read this verse today and it really spoke to me- sometimes I forget how much my life has been changed and is continuing to change because I know God. As I was reading this I just kept wondering who I would be or where I would be if I never knew God's love- its kind of scary to think about. I can recall countless times where I have relied upon God to help me and He has- He has provided so much for me that it is overwhelming. Remember today to thank God for where He has brought you and for His grace that has probably saved us from many things we were not even aware of.

Nicknames & Sweet Cheeks

2010-03-05T12:30:00.001-05:00

My sister-in-law, Kelly, inspired me on her blog You Make Me Live when she wrote a letter to her future son (my soon-to-be nephew). I just can't stop thinking about him! IF you don't know me very well then let me just tell you about the love I have for my brother (the baby daddy). We are very close and I look up to my brother in so many ways. He is a great example to me of a leader and I really just adore him- so the fact that there is about to be a "mini Donny" running around just melts my heart.

To CJS (His soon-to-be initials!)-

I don't know you but I already love you so much. I daydream about stealing you away for a day and making you laugh, feeding you lots of sugar and teaching you all kinds of crazy things that I'm not supposed to. I already know I'm going to be your favorite and we will have all kinds of cool nicknames for each other, inside jokes and secret handshakes. We will definitely make people jealous. Dan is going to teach you how to hunt since your dad doesn't like it very much and he will also let you see his knife collection. We may even buy you your very own power tools at the age of three just like your cool Uncle Dan got when he was a little one. You are going to be so talented- not just because you are a Smith, but because you have very talented relatives ;) I have lots of goodies stored up for your arrival and can't wait to kiss your sweet cheeks! So hurry up and get here!

Love,
Aunt Jen

Kelly :)

Donny :)

On a side note..... today marks 6 months of marriage for Dan & I! I can't believe how fast it has gone. I try not to make a huge deal out of these "mini anniversaries" to other people but I think its good to reflect back on the past 6 months for my sake. It has been incredibly challenging in ways neither of us expected but we have both grown so much and I feel like we are really beginning to learn the true definition of "love". You may think you know it when you're dating and engaged but marriage is the true test and learning process. I can't imagine being married to anyone other than Dan- his love for me is indescribable. He has really taught me how to love, allow myself to be loved, and how to have grace and selflessness for the other person. Thank you, honey! To many more "mini anniversaries!" Love, Love, Love

Free

2010-02-25T12:17:00.001-05:00

I have to apologize for not keeping up with this like I promised! I was sitting having lunch with my mother yesterday when she said to me, "Ya know, I'm just not a blogger." And I decided, ya know, I'm really not either. I thought I would love to blog but too often I find myself sitting down and starting to write something then second guess what I'm writing and I end up just deleting the whole thing and writing nothing at all. I started this blog really as an outlet for myself- so I'm going to force myself to fulfill its purpose. I told myself I was not allowed to delete this post- whatever I type thats what you're gonna get.

Recently our church joined hundreds of other churches in the area for a series called "Free." Do you ever just know when God is going to use something in your life, your just not sure how? Ever since our pastor started talking about this series I felt God pulling on my heart very strongly- I knew this was going to be powerful for our church and small group. What I didn't know is how powerful it was going to be for me. This past Sunday our pastor made a statement that really hit me. He said, "sometimes the most well-meaning, sincere Christians are still not free." That is exactly how I feel right now. I have always been well-meaning and sincere in my relationship with God but I still feel incredibly tied to the world. When I say the "world" I mean material possessions, striving to be beautiful in the world's eyes, wanting acceptance from other people, caring too much about what people think of me, caring too much about my "image." It's hard for me to admit these things but I have to. This is only the first week of the series and already I am realizing why God laid this on my heart a long time ago. I want to be free- I want to take unrealistic expectations off of myself, my hubby and those around me.

i'm going to blog weekly about this series- if you are going through this as well please tell me about your journey- I want to know how else God is using this in people's lives.

Thank you Jesus that, in you, we find freedom....

my favorite things

2010-02-03T14:08:00.000-05:00

I was thinking to myself the other day about how I get hooked on certain things (products, name brands, foods, smells etc...) and I stick with them for years. I decided, for fun, to put together a list of my favorite things. These are things I use or eat on a daily/weekly basis. Enjoy!

Redken Color Extend Shampoo/Conditioner- My hair is thin and highlighted and this stuff makes my hair look & feel amazing.

FACE Moisturizer by Sephora- great for dry skin in the winter and super light!

Bare Essentials Makeup- I have the world's reddest, most uneven & sensitive skin! While there is nothing I can do to change it- this makeup does a great job of covering it all up!

OPI Nailpolish- in Altar Ego- I got hooked on this when I started working at a hair salon about 8 years ago and have been obsessed with it ever since

Yogi Green Tea - I recently have read a lot about how good green tea is for you and this stuff tastes so yummy (plus is packed with antioxidants!) My fav flavor is Goji Berry...yum

Lately, I have been obsessed with applesauce- I eat it every single day!

Sweet Onions- I know, onions?? Over the past year I have really gotten in to cooking and I think onions make just about anything taste better. Somedays I think I could just take a big, tasty bite out of one

DARK CHOCOLATE. Do I really need to explain? But not just any dark chocolate, it has to be Lindnor Truffles...

Earrings- You will rarely see me without some kind of earring on. My favorites usually come from Forever 21 because they are super cute and super inexpensive! You will catch me sporting these a lot lately

Ok, well that's enough for the "material" side of Jenny for today.... what are your favorite things? I would love to hear! I promise my next post with either be about Jesus or healthy food!!

Food Inspiration & Gatlinburg

2010-01-19T10:25:00.001-05:00

I found this article back in the summertime and it has stuck with me ever since. Read it, then print it out and put it on your fridge or somewhere in your kitchen! If you really want to get healthy, this article should inspire you.

7 Foods Every Woman Must Eat

My dad is turning 60....yes, 60!! on February 11th and for months we have been plotting a surprise family trip for him to Gatlinburg. This past Friday night we had everyone over for dinner and revealed the trip to my dad. We are super excited! We are heading out over President's Day weekend and staying in an awesome mountain chalet w/ a giant hot tub (my favorite part). Here's my beautiful family at dinner:

So.... I guess I will give you a sneak peak of our dining room but it's not done yet! Still needs a rug and pictures hung on the walls! But, it will do for now :) The color is not quite so "apple" green in person, it's called "Leapfrog" and we LOVE it!

january dedication

2010-01-15T12:30:00.002-05:00

I have decided that every month I am going to feature someone on my blog and highlight that person all throughout the month. I know this is predictable, but January will be dedicated to my hubby..... who else could it be? :)

Most people know our story but here is a little re-cap in case you don't.... We met in high school, Dan was a freshman and I was a sophomore (yes! I am a cougar). Dan says he fell in love with me instantly but I played hard to get. I just saw him as a good friend but always thought he was cute and fun to flirt with! He even used to tease me all the time saying "don't forget I get to marry you someday." It has been a truly beautiful thing to see God's hand in our relationship. We broke each other's hearts all through high school and, although we remained friends (and still had secret special feelings for each other), we eventually "reconnected" a couple years ago and the rest is history. God has fulfilled each of our dreams of finding that special person to spend the rest of our lives with.

Reasons why I love Dan....

He is deep like the ocean and warm like the sun. He is wise beyond his years and more selfless than anyone I have ever met. He loves God with all his heart and has such a positive outlook on life, all the time, which is a great balance for me since I tend to be more pessimistic in nature (surprising, I know.... lol).

He is seriously hilarious! My brother has always been the funny one in my life but he has now met his match! Dan makes me laugh like no one else can. He is so witty and has such a contagious laugh & smile. We have so much fun together. Just look at that face.

He also has a sensitive side... It may be against guy code to say this publicly but he does! And he is secure enough in himself that he won't care either :) We both bawled our eyes out when we first saw each other on our wedding day (below). It was a precious moment and one I will never forget.

And... he is devastatingly handsome.

Thank you, Dan, for being so hard working and dedicated to our little family. I Can't wait for many more years together filled with God,love, laughter & babies!!

On a side note, I am devastated by what is happening in Haiti and am praying that God will bring healing to them. I hope in the near future God will present an opportunity for Dan & I to go there and serve the people...it's hard for me to be still when I see something like that happen. Keep praying and eating healthy!

welcome.

2010-01-11T15:38:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Hauer blog. I have wanted to start a blog for a long time and decided this was a good time to start. I love the start of a new year.... a lot of people feel energized and motivated to improve their lives, health, attitudes and most importantly re-evaluate their priorities and dreams. I always feel very alive around this time of the year (until the depression of the cold, dreary weather sets in....).

I have been married now for 4 months and 6 days (but whose counting :)). Life is good. Especially now that the wedding is over...if you are a newlywed or really just wed then you will most likely understand all the stress that can come along with planning a wedding. Although fun and rewarding, the whole process can be draining. For instance, I now have all kinds of baby hairs growing on my head. Why? Because planning a wedding, remodeling a house, moving, and graduating college all in one year is a recipe for your hair falling out. And thats exactly what happened. Even my husband noticed.

Anyway....now that that blissful event is over...I feel like I have somewhat of a life back. We are still in the process of remodeling a house but thankfully all the major things (bathroom & kitchen) are finished. Now its on to the fun stuff....DECORATING! My joy, my outlet, what I think about 75% of my day (lame!). But true. I can't say I'm awesome at this yet, but I'm learning. I still stress out and analyze every little thing in my house but I'm pretty sure no one else cares and this is what I have to keep telling myself so I don't obsess. I will eventually post before/after pics of the house but I can't fathom doing that until the house is EXACTLY how I want it and, unfortunately, that takes a lot of money that I have not acquired (yet!). You may get a sneak peek here and there, I haven't decided yet.

I really want a lot of my blogging to be geared towards spiritual and health issues. I want to do this mainly to keep myself accountable. I don't really expect that a lot of people will read or even care about my blog but I'm ok with that! I know it will just be a good outlet for me (my husband will probably agree...!).

Here's an article I found to leave you with today....I am a huge advocate of "you are what you eat".

Your Diet May Be Depressing You