New Year, New Steph

Recently, we had a chance to share our story with new friends. From Tyler's past to the surprise teenage pregnancy to our separation, accident and unemployment situation, they know it all. And I'm not kidding when they said they were blown away. They said we have an amazing story, one filled with an example of the grace of our Father. I suppose because I'm living this life it just seems like an ordinary one. But when I reflect on the past I realize it! Whoa, our story is incredible! And I wonder, if God has taken so much crap and made it into something good, what will our marriage will be like in 20 years? I can't wait to see what God will do with who we are now and who he is shaping us to be. That being said, I looked back on my old blog posts. Some of them were real sad. One of my goals for the year 2009 was to have a stable life. Little did I know that things would get harder before they got any easier. But I think about what my life is like now and I'm so incredibly thankful for where I am. I really have no complaining to do. Tyler has been at his job a year; me, three today! The kids are healthy. My dog is awesome. My life is stable.

A stable life makes it much easier to make and stick to goals. I've been thinking about what my goals should be for 2013. Every time I sit down to think or pray I hear the word "content." So for 2013 I plan to try my best to be content with every situation. Tyler has nine weeks left of school before he gets his AS in Electronics Engineering. I will be content with the craziness between now and then. I also choose to be content with my job, my commute, my car and my home.

One thing I won't be content with is my health. 2012 was a year of big changes in my diet. I'm definitely more now aware of what I'm putting into my body and how certain foods work for or against my health. In 2013 I want to be even healthier. But not just for me, but for my family as well.

The last thing I will commit to in 2013 is to read the Bible consistently and work my way through a Bible Study. Reading and studying is something I tend to stick to for a little while and then quit.

So there you have it: contentment, health and consistent studying. Those are my goals!

 

Ten On Tuesday

**I wrote this post a few weeks ago but didn't finish it. I figure I might as well post it!**

1. The contest I've been doing at the gym ended last week. My team won! We lost a total of 34 pounds and 7.45% body fat lost between the four of us! That's pretty awesome. The team closest behind was 5.1%. Oh yeah baby!

2. I got all these items for $78 just for hosting a Pampered Chef party. I love their stuff! Yes, Kim, that is a brownie pan you see.

 

3. This little guy is Josh. Cole is very excited to have him with us. Kayley asked me why I bought it and how I put him up there. Such a realist, that kid.

4. This year I got to plan my office Christmas party. I picked the venue and decorated. I thought it turned out lovely! We dined on the best French cuisine. Yum!

5. Tyler's Christmas party was the same evening and it was a fancy affair at the Bacara hotel in Goleta. These are terrible pictures but here we are all dressed up!

And here we are at the end of the night. I danced for two hours and I'm obviously really happy about it!

After we left the party a few of us walked out to the water. The lady on the left is British so we all "took the path" following her. We pretty much mocked her British accent the entire time and she didn't care. So fun!

6. I'm taking off the entire week of Christmas. I couldn't be more thrilled!

7. We took our annual trip to the Christmas tree farm last weekend.

Cole insisted on meeting Santa!

Joanna has always found herself a boyfriend tree but since she's got herself a man I started a new tradition (and Tyler rolled his eyes).

Kayley's boyfriend and Cole's girlfriend trees

Kayley, Cole and Grandpa Matt carried the tree to the tractor! Strong kids!

Riding the camels is always a fun time. They're really sweet animals.

8. The kids performed in their musical Friday and Saturday evenings. It was fun to watch all their hard work come together!

Busy, Busy!

The last few weeks have been very full!  Here's a recap in ten on tuesday style:

 

1. October 21st was Hartley's second birthday. We baked her doggie cupcakes (edible by humans) and Kayley and Cole made her birthday hats.

 

Please note that I was a previous judger of people who did these sorts of things for their dog. But times have changed. I am now one of those people.

 

 

2. Mr. Cole lost his second top tooth!

 

3. The contest at my gym is up and running! No starchy carbs except for first thing in the morning and after a workout is really hard but it's forcing me to incorporate more protein, veggies and healthy fats into my meals. Believe it or not, the salad below was absolutely amazing and totally satisfying!

 

4. I had two ninjas in my house on Halloween. They had such a great time dressing up! We also carved pumpkins and baked the seeds but I don't have pictures.

 

5. Fun times at Trunk or Treat as usual. Weird how my kids seem to be getting a little old for it. I think we might just go trick or treating next year. Or smash pumpkins.

 

6. I stayed at Lindsay's house this weekend and came across this little gem. Nothing like a fat girl picture to keep me humble. It's also a nice reminder that it's not cool to consume an entire Marie Callendars pie in one week...by myself.



 

7. The Color Run 5k was the most fun I've had in a while! Here we are pre-mess!

 

 

Mid run!

 

 

I finished!

 

Krista and Jo finishing! Props to Jo for running this after the stomach flu the day before. Way to go champ!

 

 

The whole crew, messy as can be. Joanna's shirt was older the the rest of ours so the color stuck better.

 

Sister fun!

 

 

It's not easy being green

 

 

There's a Color Run in February of next year and I would like to do it. I would also like to do the Dirty Girl mud run next fall. We'll see!

 

8. Is anyone else glad the election is over? I'm trying to stay off Facebook because I'm sick of people whining and gloating about the results.

 

9. Tyler interviewed for his job October 31st last year and started working on December 5th. I cannot believe it's almost been an entire year! I'm so thankful for his job. He works his butt off, too. Thanks, babe!

 

10. The next couple of months are going to be even busier than the last few weeks! I love that the holidays are here and there will be lots to write about I'm sure!

 

Cole's Pumpkin Patch Trip

Cole's first grade class

His little friend Josh was uninterested in allowing me to take his picture 

Chickens!

Horses!

Cole and his friend Billy discussed the peeing and pooping habits of horses. Such boys!

Picking a pumpkin...so many to choose from!

He found the perfect one!

I love my boy!

Panoramic picture. Again, wish it were bigger.

My pumpkin holding a pumpkin while sitting on a pumpkin.

Headed back to school!

 

Heeeyy. I'm basically too busy to blog anymore. Except for right now, I guess. So here's the lowdown on what's been happening in my life:

 Tyler and I celebrated our 9th anniversary by going to Mammoth for the weekend. We ate, slept and went on a wonderful hike to Crystal Lake. Mammoth in October is just perfect. Not many people around, perfect weather during the day and chilly at night. It was the best weekend ever. Seriously, it really was!

Breakfast before our hike:

At the trail head

The way up

The view on the way up- Lake Mary and Lake George

Going down towards Crystal Lake

Getting annoyed at Tyler's picture happiness

Embracing the fact that he won't stop taking pictures of me!

The first view of Crystal Lake

Enjoying the beauty of nature

So pretty!

After our hike we got cleaned up and went beer tasting at the Mammoth Brewery. I continue to hate beer but the root beer was ok.

Then we did some shopping where we stumbled upon this:

I would have suggested that we play but we all know Tyler would beat me :)

This is probably the best picture of our weekend:

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In other news, I got the iPhone 5. It's pretty much the best phone ever. Going from android to iPhone is really not that much different but I love how easy the iPhone is to use. It's much more pleasing to the eye as well. I think my favorite thing so far is that I can take panoramic pictures. Pretty awesome. 

I wish I could make pictures bigger on my blog. Anyone know how?

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The kids have started rehearsals for a Christmas musical they're in at my parent's church. Both kids overcame their fears of auditioning and both got parts! Kayley is a shepherd who has both speaking and solo singing parts. Cole is a wise man who has a speaking part. I'm so proud of them!

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I joined Abundant Harvest Organics as a step in the right direction for my eating habits. You sign up online and they deliver a box of organic, locally grown organic fruits and veggies to the delivery site. Megan picks up my box and I pick it up from her porch, which is like three seconds away from my house. I don't have to shop for produce and I'm pretty much forcing myself to prepare healthier meals with veggies included. I love it!

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So that's the lowdown. Look for Cole's pumpkin patch pictures soon!