The First 10

Well, well! Goodbye 10 pounds! We are never, ever, ever, ever getting back together. EVER! After feeling so down the last week or so after hurting my ankle, I couldn't be more pleased when I stepped on the scale yesterday and saw that I had lost another 3 pounds. Then this morning, when I weighed myself first thing...another pound gone!

This puts my grand total of weight loss at 10.6 lbs and my weekly weight loss at 1.3 lbs. So far, I am right on  track! These first ten pounds also mean that I get to treat myself to a new outfit so I (of course) have been doing some online window shopping this morning!

I'm going to hold off on buying anything until right before vacation, but here's what I had in mind:

I'm in love with all the coral this spring so I am in love with these coral capris from Kohls:

Paired with one of these two shirts, one from Kohls, the other from JCP:

I can't decide between that bright mint color or the grey. Knowing me, I'd probably go with the grey. I also thought about just buying a dress because when I'm at the beach, I LOVE to throw on my bathing suit and then a dress over it and be ready for the day.

This one from JCP may be a bit too dressy, but I love the jist of it and I think it screams warm weather:

What do you guys think?

I'm excited for the coming weeks. I've still been working out, even though it hasn't really been cardio related, since my ankle injury, so I'm counting that towards my bathing suit reward if I work out 4 times a week. I'm also going to work hard to keep this 1 pound a week weight loss up until vacation, I'd really like a new cute, summer dress in addition to my new outfit!

For now I'm off to do some planning, I almost forgot... I get to plan a date night!! That may be my favorite part!!

Older, and Perhaps Wiser?

Do you ever feel like you're older than your age? You look around and think 'what in the WORLD, are they thinking?' when it comes to the people your own age around you?

Yeah. That's me.

Maybe it's because I skipped the whole 'college life' thing and went straight into commuting for class and working full time. Then when I became old enough to drink - well, I got married.

Yeah, no drinking and partying days for this gal!

Maybe more than anything else, it was because I lived with my grandmother for several years and her slow pace life wore off on me. I don't know really.

At 18 I was searching for my husband.

At 21 I was married.

At 24 I was a mother.

At 25 1/2? Well... I'm still married and a mother, but I'm also a full-grown woman.

I don't relate to most other 20-something year olds. I find myself most comfortable around the 30's to 40's stage of people. 30 is the new 20 anyway, right?

So tell me - how is a girl to make friends if she doesn't relate to anyone else her own age? I'm old-fashioned, the complete opposite of modern and would rather spend my evenings quietly at home than out on the town.

Do any of you relate? How did you make friends? I'd love to hear your advice and stories!

Sitting, Staring and Wishing

This is where I am today: sitting in my outdoor rocking chair in the middle of our living room, staring out the window and wishing that the blue sky and chirping birds meant that it was warm enough to be out enjoying such a beautiful day. I'm pretending the thermometer doesn't say twenty-three and that the snow still clinging to a few rooftops isn't really there. I'm dreaming of spring, my fingers in dirt as I plant my flowers and garden, and the sunshine warming my pale skin that has remained covered for so many months now. I'm dreaming of long walks, fishing in the evenings, cook-outs and play-dates at the park. I'm longing for the days to continue to get longer and the weather to stay warmer, with days upon days of open windows where neither the heat or the air-conditioning is turned on. This is where I am today; sitting, staring, and wishing.

This and That

Okay, who watched the season finale of The Bachelor??

I just finished watching all three hours of it. I don't know why, but I was a total addict this year and with them announcing who will be on next season... umm... count me in AGAIN!! I can't wait for this wedding to be aired as well, I can only imagine what Sean and Kathrine will have up their sleeves and I totally hope that Sean's dad will be the officiate.

Enough of all that though, I swear I'm usually not this wrapped up in reality shows.

I went through the refrigerator, freezer and cupboards Monday night and got rid of any kind of unhealthy food. It was actually pretty easy to do because I've been trying to buy healthier foods for the last month or so, so there wasn't actually a whole lot to get rid of. Then Jeremy, Henry and I made a trip to the grocery and only bought healthy items. I think the most unhealthy things I bought were whole wheat tortillas and 45 calorie bread. Jeremy has been doing awesome on his diet and I'm so proud of him for it.

My ankle is slowly getting better. I went shopping with my grandmother yesterday and was able to walk around on it for several hours. I also pushed myself to go walking for an hour on Monday night. It was not easy and it hurt like hell, but I did it and I felt good for doing it afterwards. I know I'm pushing it to heal faster, but I'm so motivated to get back out and start training again for this 5k in August. I don't want any time to waste and although I've stayed under my calorie goal almost every day for the last few weeks, I still haven't really lost any weight. It's disheartening to only eat 1300 - 1500 calories a day and see no results of that dieting. With time, I know.

I need a good book to read. I'm going to go crazy if I don't read something soon. Any recommendations?

5 for Five

I've seen a couple of my awesome blog buddies link-up with Jenn and Jessica for this awesome idea of 5 for Five goals within a week.

I stole the whole concept description from Jessica so you could better understand what it's about!

The concept is fairly simple: 

1.) Set five goals that you want to accomplish over the next five days of the work-week.  

2.) Share your goals with all of Blogland.

3.) Power through that list during the week.

4.) Come back the next week to share you how did.

5.) Set some more goals for yourself, and repeat!

Since this is my first time linking up I don't have a list from last week to share on how I did, so I'm just going to get straight to this weeks goals!

1) Drink at least 8 cups of water a day.

2) Create a list of healthy meal ideas that both Jeremy & I will eat, and cook at least 3 of them this week.

3) Spend less than $100 this week on groceries, gas, and any other daily purchases.

4) Spend 15 minutes doing arm and ab workouts while staying under my calorie goal each day this week.

5) Deep clean and sterilize Henry's toys.

Check back in next Monday to see how I do!

My Personal History in Depth: Birth & Family

A bit of time ago, I saw this 'This Is Me' challenge and pinned it on Pinterest as one of those 'wishlist' blog things that I'd one day like to accomplish. I haven't got the guts to start the real 'challenge' yet, although it looks like a lot of fun, but I love the Personal History in Depth questions and thought I would start there. I love the idea of documenting your life for your children and grandchildren to read one day, it's like leaving a bit of yourself behind for them. My husband and I are huge on history, including family history. We believe in traditions and carrying on those traditions and creating new ones that will always have a meaningful place in our homes.

Usually I think you would break up this first group of questions. But honestly, I don't know a lot about my birth so... I think I can tackle them all at once.

Your birth and family: 

*What is your full name and how did you get that name?  Do you have any nicknames?

My first name is Jennifer, middle Marie. The only nickname that anyone really calls me is 'Jenn', aside from Jeremy who occasionally calls me 'Genevieve'. I have no idea how I got my name, although I think I recall someone saying one time that 'Marie' is a family name.

*What are your parent's full names and birth dates and places?

My father's full name is James Steven Cowden, but he goes by Steve. His birthday is May 12 and I couldn't tell you the year. He was born in Rosehill, Virginia - one of my very favorite places in the world. My mother's first name is Ronda and last name is Hensley, I have no idea what her middle name is, or when her birthday is. I'm pretty sure she was born in Miamisburg, Ohio - but I may be wrong about that as well.

*What is the date of your birth?  Where were you born?  What are some of the circumstances (when your mom went in to labor, how long, her doctor, your dad fainting, etc.) of your birth?

I was born on October 23, 1987 in Kettering, Ohio. I have no idea what my birth was like, who was there or any other details.

*What are your sibling's full names and birth dates?

I have 1 full blooded sibling and 4 half. I consider them all family just the same and they all carry my dad's last name.

Robert James Bradley - December 7, 1988

Brandon Lee - February 5, 1991

Levi James - February 29, 1996

Sierra May - March 11, 1999

Dakota Ray - March 11, 1999

(Today is their birthdays!)

*How was your relationship with your siblings and parents?

I love all of my siblings. My brother Robert and I grew up watching out for one another constantly and we had a lot of fun together. We don't see each other a lot now, but I still love him. Brandon is one of my best friends and while he's been away in the Army, I have missed him terrible. Levi has always been (and always will be) my baby. He was born about two years before my dad and step-mother split and I spent a lot of time with him when he was little. Sara and Cody are wonderful kids and I love hanging out with them now. Sara and I have grown increasingly closer as she's gotten older but I would say my relationship with the two of them is the weakest as they were born and were raised away from me a good part of their lives. I love my dad, but I don't see or talk to him very often. I don't speak to my mother. My relationship with her is non-existent and my relationship with my dad is close to the same. I see my step-mother, Theresa, most often just because I go to see my siblings usually once a week. I don't agree with a lot of her decisions in life either, but  she's always been there for her kids and that's something that I have to respect her for.

*What are some lesson s you learned from you parents?

Life is what you make it, not what you THINK it has to be. You can rise above your surroundings and you should learn from other's mistakes, not follow them into them.

*How did you help in your home?

When I lived with my dad, I did dishes and laundry and helped as much as I can. But I won't lie, we pretty much lived in filth. If it didn't get cleaned, my dad didn't care. When I moved in with my grandmother, my life completely changed and I learned how to do ALL house chores, cooking and even little things like manners. My life really changed when I decided to leave my dad's home and ask to live with her.

Stay Little

My Dearest Son,

Tonight I have a heavy heart. As I sit here alone, the sound of your little snores the only sound in the room, I can't help but be overwhelmed by the nagging feeling that this will not last forever. One day you will grow up and you will not need me in the way that you need me now. You will not let me kiss your messy face and hold your little hand and whisper sweet promises of love and support into your tiny ears. You will become too heavy for me to carry on my hip and too big to sleep curled up on my lap. You will not look up at me with those big, brown eyes as if I'm the only person in this world who can calm your fears and fix your boo-boos. In a blink, my love, you will be grown and I will be left with only photos and memories to remember this time. I fear that the time will come too fast and I will look back and regret not holding you tighter and wishing you my little baby longer. One day you may become a father, and even then, I do not think you will understand the anguish and heartache and joy and blessing that is motherhood. It is as if a hand is clenched constantly around your heart, allowing it to grow with joy and excitement, pride and love and then squeezing without mercy with fear and longing, hurt and shame. Do not get me wrong, this is the greatest gift and blessing that God has ever bestowed upon me. I would not trade this time with you for anything in this world and while I wish you to stay little, I also wish you to grow and prosper and develop into a strong, dependent man. When I think of adding another baby to our little family of three, I cannot imagine my heart growing to make room for more of this love. You have filled my life with never-ending joy and laughter and my constant prayer is that I will not fail you as a mother. You deserve the world, Henry, and I will do anything within my power to teach you and to show you all that this world has to offer.

Perhaps one day you will see that you were my entire world and that I wouldn't have it any other way.

I love you so,
Mommy