Birds Chirping

 

Ahhh, spring! To wake up in the morning to birds chirping. 

Tulips are coming up through our flower beds, which is a welcome sign of spring and knowledge our new home has tulips!! Hooray! Our grass is beginning to grow from the rain, sunshine is lingering longer through the evening, and I am opening windows in our home every chance it warms up just enough.

I just booked a lovely cottage on the beach of Anna Marie Island, with it's own private beach. Longing for the intense sunshine of Florida, the smell of the ocean, the roar of the waves, and day's basking in the sun with my husband, is pretty magical.

Last year was the best year of my life. It was also a very busy year with a lot of moving parts, house hunting, selling and buying homes, our wedding, and moving into a new home. This year... we are in our groove and look forward to lounging at our pool, biking, pickleball, jaunting off on spontaneous getaways, and a year of more relaxation.  

Winter was just the rest we needed; however, spring has arrived, and we are ready to play!!

Custom-designed Dining Room Table

 

For our new home, we custom-designed our dining room table. It is a one of a kind! 

I knew my vision and pouring through books upon books of fabrics and wood color selections, we chose the wood type, the stain color, the fabric and the fabric color. I wanted three different types of chairs around the table and enhanced with special requests, such as slightly larger, rounded captain chairs with tufted backs. 

We have wondered since we created this last August what the finished product would look like.

Six months later, my vision came to fruition and it's PERFECT!! Amish built, quality made.

We LOVE it!!

It's a GIRL! Brooke + Josh

 

We both have a Brooke and we say, "my Brooke" or "your Brooke" Otherwise, it begs the question, "which Brooke?" Our Brooke's are the same age, too. 

This is my stepdaughter, David's Brooke. Brooke + Josh. I absolutely adore them both!! 

David and I have two more grandbabies arriving in August and September of 2023. This means three of our daughters were pregnant together. My Brooke, his Brooke, and Taylour. 

Gender reveals are so much fun!! Those smoke & confetti cannons go off and there were screams of joy!

I love this photo of Brooke. That wonderful moment where you know what the baby inside you is. 

Family gatherings are large and enjoyable. In-laws from all sides, including son-in-law's, everyone coming together. Everyone genuinely liking one another and happy to see one another. Kelly, David's ex-wife, and her family are some of my favorite people. I genuinely like both my son-in-law's parents. Events are large. How blessed my stepdaughters are to have healthy and functional families! 

Come September 2023 we will have 8 grandbabies!!!!!!!!

Intermittent Fasting

 

January 22nd, I began intermittent fasting. Starting at 16/8 the first couple of days, let's be honest, I thought I was going to eat my shoe! It was the 3rd day I was busy at work and slipped into and 18/6 hour fast by accident and I realized I was okay. Thus, began my 18/6 fasting.

Within one month I lost I think it was 8 lbs. and 1-1/2" around my waist. What I found interesting as I read about the endless benefits of fasting, I found another amazing result is my allergies cleared up!!

I always thought I had seasonal allergies, that turned into year-round allergies. I now know I have food related allergies with fasting and eating clean (very little starches or sugar) completely clears me up. 

Now, if I eat heavy starches or sweets, my body reacts pretty strongly. 

I feel great!! David and I do this together, which makes me more successful. I have the Zero app that tracks my fasting times, because I like the daily green check mark when I've successfully completed a fast daily. It tracks my daily success rates, too.

Here's the thing, when I cannot go 18/6 and fall short at 16/8, I'm still doing fantastic and far better than a regular eating schedule. Out of the last 2 months, there are only 7 days I fell short. I won't beat myself up about that. 

Intermittent fasting also strengthens your immune system. David has been really sick with a fever for a 3-days and extreme multi-symptoms for over a week. I never got sick at all. I had a slight sore throat for a couple days, but that fact that I didn't get sick is nothing short of a miracle. 

I am seeing and feeling the benefits and super grateful for our healthy lifestyle. 

Curly Hair & Blue Eyes

 

Our sweet, little Amelia is almost 2 months old! Her hair is growing, and we are all delighted she has her daddy's curls. Blue eyes from both her grandpa's, she is her daddy over with her eyes open and totally her momma with her eyes closed. I don't think I've ever seen such different looks in a baby.

Brookie is such a good momma, knows her sweet baby and is calm and patient. Amelia keeps a close eye on where her momma is, too.

Me, I'm always smelling her. I do the same with Sofia, Rowan and Claire. There is something about your baby's babies that makes them your own. I think about them, miss them, and pray for them constantly. 

Sofia is so smart and funny like her momma. Rowan in his raspy little voice is still such a snuggle bug and a boy through and through. Little Claire with her icy blue eyes, blond hair and full little lips is in my arms most every time I am with her. She is unapologetically direct and owns up to any shenanigan directly. 

Each of my grandbaby's are wonderfully unique. I am so blessed.