Life – Page 2

Protein On-the-Go

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DoMoreWithEAS #CollectiveBias

Like most families we are always on-the-go. Last September we made a lifestyle change and started working out together vs. going our separate ways. It has been fun working out together, encouraging one another and making fun when we simply have nothing left. I seem to burn out a little quicker on some days because I struggle with getting enough protein in my diet. I was recently introduced to EAS® 100% Whey Single Serving Packets. They are perfect because I keep them in my center console on days when I can’t run right home after a workout. I simply keep a blender bottle and water in my car and mix right after the gym. We don’t have a lot of time as our workout is right in between dropping the kids off at school and then by the time we finish our workout we are running to pick-up our youngest at preschool. The ease of EAS® Protein Powder makes our already healthy lifestyle easier to stay on track.

Working out with my hubby has been the best thing we have done together. We might not always get our date nights but having our time in the gym together has been amazing for us. Making sure you give yourself the proper protein is essential to build lean muscle and maintain total body health! Make it convenient and easier on yourself and try EAS® Protein Supplements!

You can purchase EAS® Protein Supplements at Target in the pharmacy section. Right now there is an awesome Cartwheel offer that’s live from 8/23/15-10/31/15.

Be sure to check out more fun ways to incorporate protein here. I’d love to hear your favorite!

remembering tot bedtime

I love photoshoots with kids in pajamas. There is just something so sweet and innocent about bedtime, unless you fight your kids to fall asleep. We don’t have the greatest nighttime routine, it’s pretty rough with me working four nights a week and with Jim traveling. This Summer we’ve really started working with the kids. Both kids are pull-up free at night which has been a work in progress, but we made it. Our routine is not perfect but it works for us and that’s all that matters. We both get frustrated on a weekly basis because we compare ourselves to others and there’s one thing I always tell new parents, do what works for you and don’t listen to others. In the end, my kids are happy, they are funny and sarcastic as hell, they sleep in late (a blessing for me but a curse) and they are healthy. One day I will miss the middle of the night cuddles. I embrace them sleeping with us even if that means it’s not always the most comfortable for us.

To document our Summer bedtime trials we did a PJ shoot with local photographer, Sweet Snap Photography. The studio is super cute and she runs monthly mini sessions that are adorbs! You might take a look for her upcoming back-to-school minis.

Do you co-sleep? I would love to hear from you!

for the love of the mouse.

Many people have a place or activity that they turn to when they feel down. After my Grandmother passed when my Mom was down I would suggest a Disneyland visit. We’ve always been a Disney family but once I had kids it changed, I see the park differently and I love it even more because I am experiencing it through their eyes. It was recently explained to me that it’s because it’s a place of fantasy. I don’t want my children to grow-up in a fantasyland, I want them to know that there are struggles in life and that all things aren’t pretend. From a previous post you know that as a family we are in the most trying time in our lives. Our children do not know there are issues, rather that mommy has a different place she lives, we call it the new normal and explain that there is a lot of in between normal we experience throughout life. Over the past month I have been spending more and more time at home as we reconstruct and start building a new future. Life has been good and life has been tough. If you follow me on Instagram you know that we go to Disneyland just about every week or bi-weekly. Just like I used to do for my Mom after my Grandma passed I have found myself resorting to a visit to Disneyland. I have found a new meaning in the phrase, “the happiest place on Earth”. I no longer stress out over visits, the kids and I try something new each visit and we call ourselves the little explorers. It has been very difficult for me to blog, I have neglected this space and I believe that if I begin to write about things I love like our visits to Disneyland then a new love will form. I look forward to sharing our Disney adventures, travel & park tips, yummy food and the joy we have as a family at the park.

PJ’s, Hot Cocoa & a Christmas Tree Farm

This year for our family portraits we took ourselves to a Christmas tree lot in Ramona. We decided to switch it up and wore pi’s and the kids had hot cocoa (er, cold cocoa). It was a fun moment the day after Thanksgiving to spend time with the family.

If you’re looking for a photographer in the San Diego area you should consider Amira Gray Photography. I met Amira when we were in High School, we got closer when we were both in yearbook together. A few years post High School I was lucky enough to bake for her gorgeous wedding in Temecula. Amira has a wonderful spirit and is a wonderful photographer.

Happy Fifth Birthday, Peanut Butter Pie.

Dearest Payton,

Today you are five years old. How we got to an entire hand is just insane. I have loved every minute of being your mother. You have the sweetest soul and everyone who knows you cannot wait to tell us this. You are a genuine friend and care deeply about those you love. You are the best big sister and watching you teach your brother brings so much light to my life. I love our tooshie dances, our chases up and down the hallway, our lunch dates and your story telling. My! Oh my! Can you tell a story. You have one wild imagination and I cannot wait for you to start writing your own books. Though, this is your new thing to do at school, your picture books tell amazing stories already, sweet girl you are destined to do amazing things. Everything about you is amazing. I could not imagine my life without you in it.

When I was growing up I had a love for Winnie the Pooh. I know I have told you about this but that silly old bear holds a special place in my heart. When I was gradutaing high school my parents made me a scrapbook of my life thus far. A special Winnie the Pooh-ism that will forever be with me is:

If ever there is a tomorrow when we’re not together. There is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. But the most important thing even if we are apart I’ll always be with you. – Winnie the Pooh

My wish for you sweet girl is for you to live by this. You are a strong girl with the biggest heart and no matter where you are, I will always be with you. Happy fifth birthday! Your birthday, along with your brother’s are by far the best days of my life.

Things you are loving:

horses, all things princess, puzzles, drawing picture books, Frozen, Taylor Swift, dance parties & playing dress-up.

You are:

51 pounds, you wear a size 12 shoe, wear a size 6/6x.