S-L-E-E-P!

It's one of the things that I need to stay sane and happy. I.mean.it. How Trey and I got through Bear's "insomnia" stage from 6-12months of age I have no idea. It was down right hellacious. I can honestly say if it hadn't been for friends who were with us the night we started letting Bear cry it out we would still be sleep deprived and irritable. Bear would still be waking up 2-3 hrs. during the night and our lives would  be miserable.

I'm very thankful for those friends and for the strength that God gave us to resist going into our crying, no wait--screaming child. Oh it was SO painful. Seriously.it.was. However, at the end of the day we were doing more harm then good for Bear. We realize that now. Selfishly we would get him because it was easier then hearing him cry. I'm just being honest...BUT, thankfully, we stuck to our New Year's Plan and as a result we have a baby who sleeps uninterrupted for 12hrs through the night. PRAISE JESUS!

As painful as it was, for all of us, it was well worth it. Bear is getting plenty of rest and so are we! It's BLISS. He is a happier baby and our home is better because of sleep...as crazy as that sounds.
Sleep is a vital part of our lives and our bodies require it. I read about the benefits of people getting at least 8 hrs. of sleep a night. Y'all sleep affects our health in so many ways. Research it. You will be amazed at what you read.

There you have it...my short story on sleep and how it changed our lives! Who would have thought! :)

Happy Super Bowl Sunday...and to the calories I'm NOT counting today! ;)

~Jenni~

I'm SOOOO Excited!!!

Many of you will ask "WHY?" BUT after I tell you the MAJOR perk you will see why...

DRUM ROLL...PLEASE

I will be going back to WORK...not teaching but at a place where I know I am going to love. The women are super sweet and are so excited for me to join them. The biggest blessing in all of this is that I get to take Bear to work with me!!! Umm...don't be jealous! ;) Sounds like the best job on Earth to me. I won't be making 6 figures but the fact that I get to take my son to work with me is priceless. I'm just thankful that the Lord answered my prayer and opened up a door for my family; that's a blessing if I do say so myself!

I actually will be working in the kids room at the gym that Trey and I workout at. Totally thrilled about it because it's a great environment, fun kids, and I get to wear workout clothes (if I want) and tennis shoes. It doesn't get much better then that people...and did I mention that I get to bring my son with me?!?!? :)

Sounds like a great start to my weekend! To top it off, Trey and I are celebrating our 3rd Wedding Anniversary a little early! Bear will be staying the night with Gigi & Poppa and mama & daddy will get to have a FUN night out together...a little dinner, a movie and some yogurt!

Happy Friday Y'all! Enjoy the weekend with the ones you love most.

~Jenni~

"IN IT...TO WIN IT!"

My last post was about the 12 week challenge Trey and I are doing at Gold's. Once again, so proud of his dedication and early am workouts he is putting in!

When Trey signed up to do it I had no desire...just being honest. It wasn't that I had no desire to get healthy I just wanted the competition to be all about him and supporting him along the way...until he looked at me and said, "have you seen the girl that won last year? She is bigger then you are currently, and I really think you could win it." Me: "Really? Nah." Well, I guess my husband believed enough in me that I said ok.

I brought out a few bikini's and decided on the one was I was going to "model." And I say "model" very humbly because boy was it a sight to behold. The REAL humbling part came when I got an email with all my measurements and then there was me in my little teal bikini--front side and back side...I think I screamed in horror!
Mind you, the last time I wore a bikini was pre-Bear and pre-Trey, so like 4 years ago....and I really don't care anything about wearing a bikini now...BUT, if after this 12 week challenge I look like a new woman physically you betcha I will be proudly wearing my little teal bikini! I even say that modestly because I certainly will not be wearing it for the wrong intentions or so that I can plaster pics all over the place but more about the accomplishment. I CAN DO IT! Sometimes you just need to give yourself a pep talk. For real.
Well, actually, my pics may be plastered all over Gold's gym when I win this thing! ;)

At the end, of these remaining 11weeks, my goal is to have shed 20lbs.--that doesn't include inches lost and muscle gained. I have already lost 45lbs. and 20 of that came off pretty quickly after having Bear--I call that 'The Bear Weight..and then some' & then there's 'The Trey Weight.' LOL
So, you do the math... a total of 65lbs gained over the last few years. YIKES.
I'll never forget when a member of Trey's family noticed with in months of me living here that I had already gained weight. I laugh now because I was like maybe 5-10lbs. heavier...and then it started adding up. What can I say love and the south did something to me! :)

On a serious note, I really hated that I gained some serious weight only because I knew it was a struggle for Trey. I didn't help in the least bit like I said I would and for that I have carried around some guilt. However, I am thankful that times have changed and that's not the case anymore. Our lives have changed for the better and we are taking back our health & our bodies!

Here's to another New Year's Resolution and the 12 week challenge....

~Jenni~

P.S. I have been blessed with a coach at Gold's who is also a trainer and teaches the Turbo class I take along with the ab class and a few others. She technically wasn't assigned to me but the other lady is pregnant and, well, not sure how much of a help she's going to be, ya know? I'm "IN IT...TO WIN IT," and need a hardcore coach. Extremely thankful that Natasha has taken me under her wing! She actually did my weigh in on Monday and before I got on the scale I asked her how much she thought I weighed. She preceded to grab my arms/shoulders and my legs and said her guess. I chuckled but thought I sure hide my "junk" well. She was off by 10lbs. That's totally ok because those 10lbs will be off before I know it.

By the way, I totally realize that I am super transparent and I don't hide that. I have nothing to hide and believe that someone will read this blog and need the encouragement to know that they can "lose it" too. If that's you...YOU CAN DO IT!

The MOLARS.

Well, Bear's 1st set of molars have cut through up top; poor guy. That explains the fever Saturday evening and the fussy boy we've had on our hands for the last few days. As much as I hate him being in pain Hurricaine gel & some extra cuddles for me make for one happy momma and hopefully, a some what relieved Bear.
However, I totally hate it for him, but it's one of those things that has to happen. You know, because walking around toothless would be pretty odd and would REALLY gross me out. Sorry, I have a thing about teeth.

So, here's to 10 teeth for my, going on, 14 month old. He may be pushing 12 real soon as his bottom gums have been hard for a while now, and I am beginning to feel those little suckers start to make their appearance as they begin to penetrate his tender gums. Bless him. I say, "HURRY UP."

Happy Monday!

~Jenni~

P.S. My poor husband is serving at jury duty today. I'm praying that he doesn't get picked like a friend of ours was. He is in superior court which is where all the murderers, rapists and crazy people go. Needless to say, I'm saying a few extra prayers for him today.

Proud Wife!

Trey and I have been working out A LOT. Honestly, if I had worked out this hard 10 years ago I probably would have weighed 115lbs. and been RIPPED; however, I wasn't then and I'm certainly not anywhere near that right now. Plus, 10 years later came marriage and a baby...and, well, we all know, ladies, what that can do to your body! Unless, of course, you are naturally skinny and/or have the financial freedom to go get everything nipped and tucked! Neither of those apply to me...but that's OK. I'm enjoying reaping the benefits of getting healthy on my own and seeing my body change gradually...

Moving on, this blog is not about me but my husband. Up until recently he had been on a "diet" that was not really focused on how much food you were putting into your body but about what you weren't allowed to eat.
I don't know about you but if I am told I can't eat this or that it is the first thing I crave on day 1. Know what I mean?
Anyways, he had done that "diet" religiously and I was proud of him for sticking with it...however, I was concerned that he wasn't losing because of the amount of food he was consuming. I asked him if he would consider counting calories with me and to be mindful of what sort of foods he was taking in. He said, "ok!"

After a week of being on the new plan, he weighed in this morning and lost 7LBS. WooHoo! He has been working incredibly hard at the gym and I couldn't be more proud of him!
So, thankful that my husband desires more out of his health.

Bear and I decided that we would encourage Trey just a bit, so we got busy using Post-its. We wanted Trey to know that we were cheering him on every step of the way so we posted some inspirational stuff on his bathroom mirror. That way every morning when he looks in the mirror he sees himself as a conqueror...who is able...because he was made for victory!

 **That's me on the left and Trey on the right! ;)

We do believe in you and we  love you more then words can say. We are cheering you on every step of the way and can't wait for you to reap the benefits of your hard work!


Here's to 12 weeks and the rest of our lives! Go get em' babe!

"My Soul Sings...

My soul sings...how I love you!"

I tweeted these song lyrics a few days ago and last night my soul was truly singing; in fact, it was worshiping a God who I know loves and cares for me and my family more then I will ever physically, emotionally and spiritually be able to ever comprehend.
God is good!

As the night was coming to an end for American Idol there was one last contestant who needed to be heard. The glimpse of the young man, with curly dark hair, covering his ears had a powerful story that he was about to share. The moment Ramiro said, "“I wasn't born normal. I came out a bit different." I looked over at Trey and said, "he was born with the same thing Bear has." The commercials aired and then he was back to disclose his full story, excuse me, his testimony. As we listened Trey kept saying, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." Tears grew bigger and bigger in my eyes and then he sang Amazing Grace. WOW. The tears were rolling down my face by the time he was done. 
God is good! 

Trey and I on so many levels can relate to this young man's parents. The unknown's of what Bear was up against when he was born left us speechless and heartbroken BUT God is good. I can still hear the words spoken to me by a good friend-Lauren- the Sunday before Bear was born. She looked at me and said, "The Lord wants me to tell you that Bear is going to be quick to hear slow to speak....BUT when he speaks he will speak with wisdom beyond his years." Mind you we had NO IDEA what we were about to face when Bear was born that Thursday morning--no idea. So, that was my hope in what seemed like a hopeless situation. God is good! 

This morning at the gym I got to share of God's goodness to some other mom's about Ramiro and Bear. Might I just add that Bear is a BIG SHOT in the nursery at Gold's. The mamma's and girls that work there have nothing but sweet things to say about my boy. So glad to know that he is loved on while I'm being worked to death in Turbo. :)
God is good!

This has been my biggest prayer for my family that despite what life throws us, which it has handed us some pretty heavy blows-that blog will come later, that God would be glorified in our midst and that people would see his faithfulness and goodness despite the trials.
God is good!

Remember that the next time you are faced with a situation that has left you feeling depleted...cling to the only source of HOPE who IS ABLE to extend his love and grace, who IS ABLE to speak words that won't ever come out wrong but will be uplifting and encouraging!

Here's Ramiro if you weren't able to watch American Idol last night!

God is good!

In just a few short years (I say "short" because I know they will FLY by), my boy will be old enough to have a CT scan of his ears. From there will be the determining factor to see if he is a candidate for canal plasty (where they go in and create an ear canal in each ear); however, I am clinging to hope that my son has ear canals and that the canal plasty surgery won't be necessary. Until I'm told otherwise I choose to believe and walk in faith. 


1 Corinthians 1:27 
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

Believe and walk by faith! We are commanded to do so. 

Have a great weekend y'all!

~Jenni~

Carrots & a little "Peek-a-Boo!"

A few post back I made mention that Bear LOVES carrots. The boy can throw some down.No.lie.
Here's a few pics to prove it.

Something must have been really funny here...

...And I can't forget about a little friendly game of "Peek-a-Boo!" The boy cracks me up and definitely has a personality on him...no doubt about that one. He knows what he wants...it'll just be nice when he actually can speak, with words, what he wants. This is Bear hiding his eyes/face from me. 

"PEEK-A-BOO!"

"I'm not done yet, mom!"  I tend to do what he "says" in cases such as this one... I just keep playing along with him until he is tired of hiding his face. 

There are days, many of them, when I just look at Bear and see God's grace and favor. Last night as we sat around the dinner table, as a family, I looked at Trey and said, "Can you believe it? He is apart of us." He is our flesh and blood in his own person. It's moments like these that take me back to our first pregnancy. As sad as miscarriage is I still believe that God's grace and favor rest on those of us who have experienced that sort of loss. When you think about the complexity of creating a child it TRULY is by God's grace that we are even able to conceive. Know what I mean? So, when I look at this sweet face I am reminded that much more of God's grace and favor on our lives. If you are a woman who has a child or children, whether by conception or adoption, you are blessed and highly favored. Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3

Bear closes this blog out with saying, "PEEK-A-BOO!" I'm thinking this is a game that will never grow old to him. In fact, I picture him running around this house hiding from us & jumping out of a room to say, "PEEK-A-BOO!" 

Happy Thursday!