Noe News is Good News

Craving some change

I can't believe 2012 is here! A lot of change is headed my way- a new house, a new baby, and hopefully a new lifestyle. This is good because my life has been begging for some change. It's not just the new year- but my life has been cluttered and needs some serious organization. It just so happens that these cravings have hit right around the new year. But I did not make goals this year. Goals are too measurable and don't quite fit in with what I have in mind. My aunt Maren calls them intentions and I think that better suits what I am going for here. This pregnancy has been an eye opener for me... especially in the area of being a wife and a mother.

I've realized just how much my husband and children need me and how some things have gotten in the way. So this year my focus will be my family. It's quite funny how much that one focus really entails! For example- my kids getting good meals. I have been SO lazy since having kids and my poor husband has done most of the cooking out of pure necessity. And when we go to cook, there is nothing so he often makes up some wonderful recipe of curry to go over rice. But even my amazing husband has a limit and everything was on his shoulders there for a few months. So when I started feeling better a week or so ago, I decided to finally be domestic! I actually PLANNED out our week's meals, shopped for them, couponed and have been succesful so far at following through!! Even breakfasts are more than just cold cereal. I know this may change as the dynamics of our lives change, but for now I am actually enjoying motherhood. No worrying about clients who need photos edited. No worrying about other trivial things. 

I'm excited for the new changes heading my way. I'm anxious to meet this sweet little girl who's always wiggling inside my belly! I'm excited to decorate my new home! I'm so grateful for places like PInterest (yes, I really really am!!) that help me to stay motivated in my intentions to be better. Some people may call me a little bit of an addict (ahem, Adam.) but it's funny how some things like that just seem to be answers to prayers sometimes!




I have a LOT of catching up to do on this blog... Christmas was very simple this year but so amazing and I don't want to let it go by undocumented. Also, a certain little boy of mine turned 3!!! I still pull him into my arms sometimes and rock him like a little baby... I'm so glad he still lets me. It's so hard to let go. It's all a little game to him and Joselyn asks if she can hold my baby too. Soon I'll have a real baby in my arms and he won't seem so small. We are all excited to meet Lyla. Landen sings her truck songs that he makes up and Joselyn dreams about sharing a room with her. She is so excited for a baby sister.  It's just hard to let the other baby's grow up and they don't listen to me when I tell them to stop growing!

May this new year also being about many good changes in your life as well!

BORING...

I have so much to WRITE about, but haven't taken any pictures in a week! So boring. But life hasn't been! I got a gym membership and have been faithful in going... and it's made such a difference in my life! I can't believe I went that long without going back... at least faithfully. I'm in such a better mood every day and a MUCH BETTER MOM. I've also been living better in general and feel the lack of stress in my life which is exhilerating! I haven't gone "vegan" yet but am slowly learning the ropes of how to eat healthier organic food. I'm accumulating lots of yummy recipes and did a huge shopping trip tonight. And my mouth actually waters thinking about all the great healthy food I'll be eating this week! I'm not limiting myself though... in the past it's this limiting that has pushed me to cheat big. At my father-in-laws birthday party last night I still ate some carrot cake- but gave myself a very small piece and was satisfied. I took one peanut m&m this morning and didn't need anymore. I acutally have been having weirder cravings for this delicious salad a friend made me with spinach leaves, pomegranate, pears, feta cheese and pecans. Adam and I BOTH are! We can't stop thinking about it. We tried to find pomegranates tonight though with no luck. Anyone seen them around?

Today I tried Zumba... and I love it so much! OK- I'm not much of a dancer. I have rythm but I don't have grace so I looked ridiculous! But It was fun. And it's not so bad when you're there with friends and most of the other people in the class are senior citizens!!

I'm thinking about doing a funnies post tomorrow to liven up this blog a little. I have so many cute things accumulated that my kids have done! I love that I can record things my kids have said on my iphone on the go so I don't foget.

It feels great to be making progress on goals... and I know it hasn't been that long since the beginning of this year, but I am doing much much much better than I ever have in the past! And this year it's been great to have some friends to help me along the way and keep me motivated with certain goals. Some to encourage me to slow down and not get overwhelmed with my business, others to help me with eating (my mom) and others who are willing to meet me at the gym and working out with me even though I may not be the cutest person to hang out with at the gym. I am so lucky to have such a great support system!

One Step at a time

Since it's a new year, it's kind of a given that like most people, I've been thinking about goals. I laughed to myself last night when I was watching TV with Adam because most commercials at the moment are focused on everyone's typical new years resolutions. There were a lot of weight loss commercials and a ton of "quit smoking" commercials too.

To be honest, I'm not very motivated in January. It's a blah kind of month for me- the holidays are over, it's always SO COLD and it gets a little overwhelming. But at the same time, a new year brings that "fresh start" feeling, and it's hard not to jump on the band wagon of setting goals. So I made a list. And it is overwhelming how many things I want to accomplish this year! One big goal was to "SLOW DOWN" - and my body agrees that's a good goal for me this year. In fact, for once in my life I actually feel FORCED to make some changes. Great timing- seriously! But I've accumulated a lot of bad habits over my life time and it's going to take a little bit of time to break them!

I decided this morning that instead of trying to make all these huge changes in my life in January, I'd take things slowly and do things as I am able in the form of smaller monthly goals. For example:

2011 Goal: Become a Vegan/Vegetarian

I know my diet needs a makeover. I'm all about taking in things into my body that are pure and unprocessed, and I have my reasons for wanting to cut down on meat intake. But to go from being a lazy cook who opts for fast food when it's been a rough day to preparing vegetarian meals overnight is unrealistic so my goals for January are:

1. Learn more about becoming a Vegan/Vegetarian- what will it take?
  - Read books: Jamie's Food Revolution by Jamie Oliver, In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
  - Explore webpage: 21-Day Vegan Kickstart

2. I can't just eliminate sugar from my life overnight like some brave people I know, but I can get rid of things a little at a time. So I can start with easy things like no cupcakes one week, add no chocolate the next etc. And since there are too many birthdays out there to give myself the excuse "I'll let myself have stuff on birthdays" I can have Adam help me with portion sizes... allow myself a really small piece of one dessert. I think I can do that.

2011 Goal: Lose Weight

Truth be told, I miss the gym. I loved having that time to myself on the Elliptical to just listen to good music and not worry about anything else. I miss Yoga- a lot. But it really is hard to just jump back in after such a break.

January goals:

1. Join the gym (I think I'm leaning towards the YMCA so I can go with some friends)

2. Start by committing to go 3 days a week- and add more days as able.

Those are just a few examples, but I feel a little bit better about things. Small steps.

I DID it!

I know the first day of trying to accomplish goals is always the easiest... but I was seriously so proud of myself today. I wasn't perfect by all means... but the thing I am MOST proud of is that I didn't yell at my kids once. Yeah- I do it. And I always feel awful. And I've been "practicing" other alternatives... talking calmly, giving chances etc... and today, I was just feeling it. And I seriously did it. I was nice to my kids all day even though they weren't always nice to me. And I don't know if it was my attitude or if it was just a good day, but I never once felt like I wanted to lock myself in the room to "cool down". And we had fun! I know that every day after this won't necessarily be this perfect... so I just wanted to document this moment because I felt SOOOO good!

P.S.- do any of you ever listen to the music I have on my little ipod thingy? I'm thinking about taking it off...

Making Plans

These past few days I have had a lot of time to think about things... on Thursday I pulled a muscle in my upper back and it HURT. Like, it made me cry. The only other time I remember being in that much pain was when I was in labor, so if you can imagine it has been kind of awful. At one point, I had to lay down in bed, on my stomach, for hours (crying) while Adam switched between a cold compress and heating pad. My arm got numb. He sacrificed a lot, and was so so sweet I just couldn't help but feel gratitude for him. Even the kids were extra kind- it's like they knew... Joselyn offered to lay down by me and keep me company and put a band-aid on my 'boo-boo".

So I thought a lot about making my life better as people often do as a new year approaches. And I set some goals. Some of my major ones:

-I am thinking about becoming Vegan. I know- big lifestyle change... but my mom has done a lot of research on this and I think it could make a big impact in my life! I'm sure I'll get more into this later.
-SLOW down. I do too much- I really really do. And it has affected my memory and patience, so this year I am slowing down and enjoying life more.
-Schedules. Because of my lack of memory lately, Adam and I have put together a schedule for every day of the week. A flexible schedule, but certain routines that will help out family operate on a better level.
-Get Landen into a big boy bed. I am taking my time on this one... but I have my eye out on fun new bedding for him!

-I just think he would love it. He is so into trains right now you don't even know. I don't think it would actually end up being his "bedding" but more of a quilt to put at the end of his bed. We'll see if he's still big into trains at the end of this year!
-Have more parties! I have so many fun parties planned in my head for this year. Just for fun parties, Landen's half birthday party (I get to plan a Summer party!) and hopefully a shower here and there. I'm excited!
-Teach Joselyn to read. I know this is kind of a big undertaking but I really think she can do it. I know I could read by the time I was in kindergarten, so I just need to work at it. If anyone has any suggestions on lessons or books, let me know!

I really have a feeling this is going to be a great year. I just have a feeling!

Pictures

I was in need of some pics of me and my camera for my photography website, and so I asked my friend Kasey if she would take some while she was here- since she is a very talented photographer herself.

I must say it was a little awkward at first since I am so used to being the one behind the camera! But she made it all so fun I was laughing and comfortable in no time. And the pictures turned out GREAT! I was very impressed how she caught the good side of me that I rarely see in myself. Thanks so much Kasey!

Here are few of our favorites... which one(s) are YOUR favorite?

Personal Trainer

One of the many good things that came from marrying Adam was the fact that I married into a family full of fitness fanatics. Adam has been working out since he was 14 and hasn't stopped since. It is still one of his major outlets in relieving stress- and missing a workout is a big deal. At a few points in his lifetime, Adam has also worked as a Personal Trainer. I've tried to have him train me- but it just doesn't work that well when your trainer is also your husband. At least not for me.

Over a year ago, Adam's sister Suzanne started studying to get her Training certification. Not that she really needed it to be an expert in fitness, but she really wanted to be a good personal trainer. She finished the course and started working for Urban Active as a personal trainer.

After having Landen, I spoke with her many times about my frustrations with weight gain and not really knowing what to do at the gym. So she said that once I was able to workout again, she would come with me to the gym and help me. Last month Adam bought me a membership to Urban Active using a bonus he had recieved at work. Even though the money could have gone to paying off some bills, it was important to me and I got a GREAT deal for a 24 month membership. I'm so glad he is supportive of my goal to get back into shape. The babies were both sick though pretty much all of last month, so I only got to do one really short workout while my mother-in-law watched the babies.

Today was my first day back since then and Suzanne came with me. Let me tell you... she really kicked my behind. She is definitely great at what she does, and I am so grateful that she has taken time out of her day to be my "personal trainer". We're going to go to the gym together once a week now and she is going to train me back into shape! Cool huh? Yep. Just one of the perks of marrying into the Noe family. It helps too that she loves what she does.

Unfortunately, one of the downsides of this whole thing was leaving Joselyn and Landen in the daycare at Urban Active. I trust the people there since I've worked with them before, but I really wasn't sure how my children would handle it. And of course getting them out the door is also a pretty big ordeal, although it is one I am willing to get used to. Joselyn was a big helper this morning though- instead of trying to take Landen's bottle away (which she does everytime she sees him with one) she held it for him as I was getting ready. It melted my heart. (Giving Landen a bottle to drink while we're in the car is pretty much one of the only ways to keep him from crying the whole time)

When we got into the daycare, Joselyn went running to the toys. I explained a few things to the workers, and they asked me what her name was one more time- I said "joselyn" and she thought I was calling her so we could leave and ran away saying "no!". Silly girl.

They did just fine for almost an hour and a half- but then I heard my name being called over the intercom. Landen would not stop crying for 10 minutes. It was then that I realized I had forgotten to give them his pacifier. That would have helped quite a bit I think. This time, when Joselyn saw me SHE burst into tears. So there I was with two crying babies... one of the workers thankfully took Landen to calm him down WITH HIS PACIFIER this time, and put him in his carseat. I calmed Joselyn down, who was for sure tired hjaving skipped her morning nap because I thought she would be ok, and we headed out the door.

I dread the next few weeks of trying to get into this routine everyday and having to worry about my babies while someone unfamiliar to them is watching them. But it's all worth it. You know that feeling you get after a really good workout? Lots of energy and endorphins running through your body? That is how I feel right now. SO GREAT. And cheerful. I know getting back into a good workout routine will have a lot of benefits- not just for me but for my family :)

Thanks Suzanne for helping me out! You are the best!

Good-bye 2008, hello 2009!

We hope you had a wonderful new year's day :)

The Noe family stayed in with the babies and celebrated with Mississippi mud brownies, made by Adam, and good-ole TV. I would have gone to bed early and skipped out on watching the ball drop, but as expected, was awake feeding Landen when midnight came. So we watched the ball drop and it was a peaceful bringing in of the new year.

Adam let me sleep in this morning and it was a good way to start the year. I am very hopeful for this new year and what it will bring, and for the goals I have set. I look forward to another year full of wonderful memories and sweet times with my growing family - and I wish the best to all of you as well!