Mr. and Mrs. Powell

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SNACKING.
Snacking is one of my biggest weaknesses! Especially as a mom and being home a lot of the day -- every day!

It's so hard to resist the temptation of snacking all day!

I crave sweet things, salty things and all the above.

Protein bars have become one of my very favorite "go-to" for snacks for a few reasons.

#1. They fill me up.

#2. They are Protein packed and give me energy

#3. Make it so easy for an "on the go" snack!

#4. They are SO yummy.

^^ ( chipped nails ;)
**PS. This is not sponsored, all my opinions! :)

I have tried different brands of bars and seen which ones I definitely don't like and ones I like :)

Here are my 3 favorite bars that I switch off between and always try and have on hand for when the snacking gets me hard!

#1. These birthday cake "Oh Yeah" bars are my very very favorite! ^^ ( 22 g of protein )

I have to give all credit to my good friend Chelsea for finding this certain brand and flavor of protein bar - it has changed my life!

I am obsessed with all things cake batter and sprinkles. ( That is my happy place! )

We tried a couple brands before finding THESE Oh yeah bars and I have never gone back!

I get them off Amazon HERE - the best deal to buy them!

They are the perfect "sweet snack satisfier".

I have also ordered the combo pack of 12 flavors and loved every flavor of these "Oh Yeah" bars!

You can't go wrong!

#2. Costcos protein bars ^^ ( 21 grams of protein )

If you have ever eaten Quest bars ( I do love quest bars - especially the cookies and cream flavor! ) they are SO similar BUT half the price!

Definitely the cheapest high packed protein bar you will find! The cookie dough is my favorite flavor ^^

You can buy them online HERE or in stores at Costco.

#3. These Salted Carmel Think Thin bars ^^

These aren't quite as high in protein ( 10 grams protein ) as the other two up top but I do love the taste of them!

Beware of SUGAR content when it comes to bars. I try and stay away from bars that are over 10 grams of sugar.

I also want to clarify and say that I don't replace meals with these bars.

I am a pretty strong believer that it's a lot better for your body to get it's source of protein from actual FOOD.

Just because some of these bars have 20 grams+ of protein doesn't mean you get a free pass from eating actual protein packed healthy food.

And the last thing I wanted to reiterate is that I'm not sponsored to say any of this,

this is truly all my own opinion :)

Happy Monday Friends!

I get a lot of emails and questions regarding "eating".
It gets me all giddy inside ( I'm such a nerd! ) because I am a HUGE nutrition believer!
I have read, studied, and experimented over the years and come up with a pretty solid eating plan for my own body.
I am a huge believer in the 80/20 rule for "dieting" ( so basically in a nut shell it's eating strict 80% of the time and splurging the other 20% :) So most of my food choices are obviously healthy but trust me, I do have a list of foods that are definitely my "splurge" foods!
Of course, every body is different and every one has different tastes in food. But over time I'm going to share most recipes I use, daily food intake and hopefully give some good ideas for snacks and the "do's and don't's" in the kitchen :)

Today I'm going to share my favorite quick and easy protein oatmeal.
I have a few things I eat for breakfast that I switch off between.
( If you are reading this and are a "breakfast skipper" --
PLEASE DON'T SKIP that meal any more!!
One of the worst things you can do for your body is to skip breakfast! )

I have to confess that I used to eat cereal for breakfast almost every day...
I was always hungry an hour later and it never left me feeling satisfied.
Ever since I started having oatmeal every morning - I am SO much more satisfied and it fills me up!
Plus it keeps you regular and fuels your body! You want energy during your workouts!? - try eating oatmeal for breakfast!

Now, I don't remember the last time I had cereal for breakfast! I'm so converted to oatmeal!

Aaron and I eat this pretty much every day and I seriously look forward to my breakfast because it's so good! A good friend showed us how to do this and we have never gone back to our old "brown sugar in the oatmeal" ways! It's tastes WAY sweeter this way and tastes almost like cake batter to me!?

It's seriously the best guys!

Protein Oatmeal

1/2 cup quick oats

1 cup water

Mix and cook on high in microwave for 1 - 1.5 minutes.

Then add 1 scoop Vanilla Whey protein ( start with about 3/4 scoop and add up to a full scoop depending on the sweetness you like! I like it pretty sweet haha! )

Mix and enjoy!!

Easiest recipe ever right!? If you like it more creamy and not as thick, I will occasionally add a little almond milk but sometimes it doesn't need it!

Oatmeal NUTRITION FACTS: ( without fruit )

290 Calories / 29g carbs / 35g protein / 4g fat

I have realized that some Whey protein's are sweeter than others.
I would recommend this kind! ^^
It's definitely our favorite and tastes better than others ( in my opinion )!
And of course, Any type of quick oats will work! ^^

Monday's are either the hardest day of the week, ( just coming off the weekend and bummed it's over and the laundry is piled high ) or the most motivating day of the week - I can't quite decide what kind of "Monday" today is yet HA!
Hope this Monday is a motivating one for most of you today! XO

P.S. This blog is in the process of a pretty big makeover and I'm so excited about it!
Stay tuned and follow along HERE for all blog updates! Thanks for all the support!

I am so excited to share with you Aaron and I's favorite night time treat / post workout shake.

I LOVE playing around with blender recipes. I never look at a recipe, just throw in what I have in the fridge and keep tasting it until I like it! HA

I'm not kidding when I say this tastes like a vanilla milkshake! I LOVE milkshakes so this is heaven in a cup for me!

It's SO easy and takes literally 3 minutes to throw together!

Aaron and I hardly ever eat treats in the week ( we have cheat day on Saturdays! ) so this is definitely our TREAT in the week, if I'm craving something sweet!

PB Vanilla Protein Milkshake

1/2 frozen Banana

3/4 cup almond milk ( or regular milk )

1 scoop vanilla whey protein

1-2 TBS of PB2 ( depending on how "peanut butter-y" you want the taste! See below picture )

2 cups ice

Blend and enjoy!!

Shake Nutrition contents:

285 calories // 4g fat // 36g protein // 28g carbs

** Nutrition facts stated above are with almond milk ^^ - with regular milk the calories will be a little higher and depending on what milk you use the fat may be obviously higher too.

You can do a banana not frozen but it doesn't make it as creamy! Frozen bananas make it so much more "froth-y" and wonderful! I buy so many bananas and cut them in half and freeze them when they start getting soft! Also, I love almond milk but also love regular milk. Almond milk does have a little more protein, but I like both and I put in what we have on hand!

If you have never heard of PB2 ^^ THIS is what it looks like! You can get it anywhere!

It is only 45 calories for 2 TBS, just 1.5 grams of fat and 5 grams of protein!

It gives you the "peanut butter taste" without the high fat and high calorie of actual peanut butter!

(( NOT saying peanut butter is bad! I LOVE peanut butter. This is a lower calorie, less fat option. ))

ALSO! WE get THIS vanilla whey protein at Costco and it is on sale right now for 8 dollars off a bag! It has 27 grams of protein a serving and It's our fav! I believe it's on sale until the end of the month! I went yesterday and STOCKED UP!
The cheapest way to buy protein is in bulk!
( I've also tried this shake with "half chocolate whey protein and half vanilla" and it tastes kind of like a Wendy's frosty! )

Happy Shake making and happy Friday friends! XO
P.S. I truly appreciate all feedback and comments! Means the world!

Post baby blues.

They are real.

I can remember like it was yesterday after having my first child ( Ryan ) and being home those first few months all alone during the day. The adrenaline from the birth has worn off and now it's "life with a newborn."
It can be a little overwhelming.

Your clothes aren't quite fitting like they used to, your body is slowly trying to get back to normal and you are trying to figure out life in your new role. Whether you are a first time mom, or adding another child to the mix it's an adjustment.

I know some people experience these "post baby blues" to the extreme and I can't say that I have been there, however, I have found myself in the past feeling a little down as I am trying to get into my "groove" again and adjust to my "new normal".

I came up with 8 things that made all the difference in how my day went!

These are all things I tried and did after having Ryan and now have done with Luke and they have worked wonderfully!

#1. OPEN THE BLINDS

I'm a HUGE believer in NATURAL LIGHT. There is something about light coming through the windows that lightens any mood. As soon as you get out of bed, head to all the blinds in your house and OPEN THEM! ( even if it's a gloomy day - OPEN THEM! )

#2. INSPIRATIONAL QUICK READ.
At my morning 7 AM feeding for Luke I try and read something inspirational for about 15 minutes. Whether it's my scriptures or an inspirational talk, it puts me in a better mood and makes me a little more motivated to take on the day.

#3. Write a list of things you want to accomplish for the day
Trust me, I have been there. Those first couple weeks of baby - you are exhausted. You feel like all you do is feed the baby plus you are in "recovery" mode and pain is being felt :) I found myself getting a little discouraged at the end of the day when I thought back on what I did that day and realized I didn't do hardly anything! Gotta love that conversation with your husband at dinner when he says "How was your day sweetheart? What did you do??" While you pause and think … "What DID I do today!? … NOTHING!" …. Awesome.
It's a little depressing! And although you feel that way - Just remember that YOU are doing the best thing you can be doing! You are taking care of that sweet baby that is SO dependent on you for everything.
So I started making a list. The list included things like "Take a shower, put the sheets in the wash, go for a walk, eat 3 servings of vegetables today, etc. ALL things that were around the house and "DOABLE" with a newborn. They weren't big hard things, they were ( kind of dumb ) small little things that I could "CROSS" off my list at the end of the day and even though I never left the house, made me feel "accomplished."

#4. EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST
The healthier the breakfast, the better you will feel for the day.

#5. GO ON A WALK
Whatever you do, get some fresh air. Those first few months of having a newborn can get pretty stir crazy! Try and get some vitamin D if possible! It works miracles!

#6. TALK TO SOMEONE

Okay ladies! Texting doesn't COUNT! Talking to a newborn is kind of like talking to a brick wall. Although they are so cute and cuddly... they are not talking back to you. I found it so therapeutic to talk to someone every day! Whether it is your spouse ( who spends his lunch break on the phone with me :) , your mom, ( who I sometimes call multiple times a day ) or a good friend, try and find time to talk to someone. It will help relieve stress and is good for the soul!

#7. SHOWER
Shower is a given. You feel SO much better after a shower. ( I know they are hard to come by because taking care of a newborn is a lot of work! But try and plan it into your day!! I take one right after I feed Luke at my 7 AM feeding. He's happy at that time, Ryan's not awake yet, and Luke will sit in his bouncer and listen to the water while I shower ) I'm going to add in "drying your hair". There is something therapeutic to me about a blowdryer. Even though 80% of the time I don't make it to my make up for my daily getting ready routine, blowdrying my hair makes me feel somewhat "ready" for the day and CLEAN.

#8. HAVE A CLEAN HOUSE ( CLUTTER FREE )
If I wake up to a clean house, my day goes a million and one times better. One way I make sure to always wake up to a clean house is called our "10 minute pick up." Each night before Ryan goes down to bed we all do a 10 minute house pick up. ( sometimes it takes 20 minutes HA but we still call it the 10 minute pick up - makes it sound not as bad :) All the toys, clothes, and clutter that have accumulated throughout the day are put away and the house is clean ( or at least clutter free ). Ready for a new day.

Let's be honest, I don't always get to all 8 of them… by if I work towards getting them done each day my day goes 1 million times better!
And most of all… Remember that YOU are doing the best thing you can be doing!
Even when you feel like "you are doing it all wrong" ( as most days I feel! )
Don't be too hard on yourself.
Time passes so quickly. Don't wish time away and squeeze these newborns close! XO

Fit Friday Post… On a Thursday :)

When I was pregnant with Ryan, I somehow did not seem to have a problem with finding motivation to work out
( at least most days ;)

Maybe it was just the fact that it was my first pregnancy and I was 100% determined to have a healthy pregnancy, while keeping up my strength as well as my cardio.

( Last week's 15 week baby bump :) ^^

This time around being pregnant, the motivation aspect of working out has been a WHOLE different story.

Some of you may know a little 2 1/2 year old named Ryan :)
He is quite the active little spirit and goodness gracious this age will WEAR. YOU. OUT!
In and out and all around; he wants to be everywhere at once these days.
The pregnancy nausea, tiredness, and active toddler WORE me out fast.
I was in bed by 9:30 or 10 at the latest, almost every night of my first trimester. HA

(( I unfortunately did go through a whole first trimester with one of my pregnancies I lost last year but Ryan was quite a bit younger and not as "active" somehow making the whole process a little easier on my body :))

So even though this time around I was exhausted, I knew deep down the importance of getting out and getting my body moving as much as possible.
MOMMIES TO BE : YOU ARE GROWING A BABY and your body needs to be strong!

I had to dig deep ( like really really deep ) to find motivation to get out to walk or run, or lift a few weights.

#1. Get a buddy.

As soon as I moved here to our new little home, I grabbed a good friend that lives close and we go walking at least once a week in the mornings. I plan on it and she plans on it and we make it happen. That is one morning of the week that I have someone to motivate me!

Some days I will ask my husband to wait to work out with me until he gets home from work ( he usually works out early before work ) Because I know I won't work out unless he is there doing my weight work out with me - ( HA again…. 0% motivation on my own )
I really lucked out with a husband that has a deep love for fitness and who is my ultimate biggest motivator.

BUDDIES HELP SO MUCH!

^^ This would be me trying to keep up with my dad and husband on a morning beach run in Hawaii last week ^^ - I know they look and run like twins. Same size, same build, same everything. HA

AGAIN, Though I almost died and they had to make me the "running leader" on the way home so I could set the pace..
( OUCH - the competitive heart in me took one massive hit )
HA it was MOTIVATION! Work out buddies are the best. I'm a believer.

In my defense, who agreed to let our 3 hour and 10 minute marathoner speedy dad lead the way!? HA

#2. Work out first thing in the morning.
Don't do ANYTHING else. Get up, get dressed and put in a workout tape.
I find that if I open my phone or start getting breakfast and put it off, it usually doesn't happen.
I know I said that sometimes I have my husband work out with me when he gets home… that does happen some days to help motivate me, but the majority of the time I have to force myself to do it first thing in the morning. Ryan is always happiest around morning time so I will set him up his toys and have him sit right by me while I do a workout DVD. The longer the day goes, the harder it will be to work out.

#3. Tell yourself to just do 10 or 15 minutes.
The hardest part of working out is the starting step. When I feel really tired, I tell my brain to do half of the workout and then I can stop. Aaron always laughs at this because he knows once I start the workout, there is a 90% chance I will end up finishing it. But somehow when my brain tells my body I only need to work out for 10 minutes, I can start the tape. It's a mind game you guys.

#4. Set a reasonable goal for the week
Back when I was feeling pretty awful I set a goal that I would work out 4 days a week. It didn't matter what days but it had to be 4 days. It is good to give yourself rest days, especially during that first trimester. Write it down and put it on the fridge to make yourself accountable for it.

#5. Know the reward
You guys, these babies are so precious. The human body is fascinating to me and our bodies deserve to be kept healthy during this time period. Pregnancy is no excuse. This first trimester is so critical to keep your body moving and not gain unwanted extra weight. The average targeted weight a woman should gain in her first trimester is anywhere from 1-5 pounds. ( some loose weight because of sickness and not being able to keep food down, and that is totally understandable - every body is different ) However, I gained about 2 pounds of perfectly healthy weight that my body needed. Imagine every organ inside of you pumping to try and create this little life and give this child everything it needs to survive in the womb. Your body deserves to be strong and healthy throughout pregnancy. Don't be too hard on it by refusing to get moving!!

#6. It's never too late. Start small.
I think the term "working out" scares some of us into thinking it has to be this dreadful hour long extravaganza. Or some may think, "I'm 25 weeks and have never worked out a day of my pregnancy, why start now?" That's when YOU NEED to start NOW. Every little bit counts. Your body does not need to carry that excess weight for 9 months!
Start small. Example: A 30 minute walk - ( call your mom during it and it will make it go by really fast ) walk the flights of stairs during your lunch break. I worked while I was pregnant with Ryan and I would walk flights of stairs in our office building during lunch to get in a little workout - it totally works! Look up a 10 minute strength exercise on Youtube. ( I will be doing a post on my favorite quick workout youtube videos I have found over the years - soon! ) It doesn't have to be a big thing, every little bit counts.

#7. You will have more energy.
It's funny that on the days I made the effort to work out during my first trimester, I had more energy. I NEEDED that energy to keep up with my toddler and not be stuck laying in bed all day. It's true, working out will give you more energy. So just when you think you are too tired to do anything, get yourself out on a walk and gain a little energy for the rest of the day.

Don't just work out with the mindset of wanting to see defining muscle results, trust me, your body will grow in the areas you need to grow regardless of your workouts, work out to FEEL GOOD. About yourself, your pregnancy, and your baby.

I will be honest and tell you it was a CHALLENGE to work out through my first trimester this pregnancy. I had to dig deep and really push for it. I know the ending result of a healthy pregnancy will be so worth it. YOU CAN DO IT! I had to prove that to myself this time around and it feels really really good to know I DID it.

The process of Healthy eating starts IN THE GROCERY STORE.

Monday is grocery shopping day.

I am not the biggest fan of grocery shopping - because of 2 reasons.

#1. It always takes way longer than it should - I swear I walk around there for at least an hour!
(( and let me tell you a 2 year old can make for 1 unforgettable hour HA ))

and #2. I am always forgetting an ingredient...

( which is why I should probably learn to actually TAKE my grocery list that I made to the grocery store instead of leaving it home on the counter :/ )

That all being said,
there is a healthy way to do grocery shopping and a way that will keep the calories to a minimum so you aren't too angry with yourself at the end of the week :)

I have a few tips and tricks to make that happen.

#1. PLAN YOUR MEALS

I usually try to make a menu for the upcoming week Sunday night so I can make my grocery list.

This will help eliminate the "frozen pizza dinners" and / or "fast food" option that so many people resort to on a nightly basis.

For us, one day of the week is usually "left overs" or Eggs ( We keep it classy! HA ) and Friday night is date night and / or pizza night.

So basically I have 3 main MEALS to plan for.

#2. YOU WILL EAT WHAT YOU BUY
and you are what you eat..

Let's be real here, if I am buying 5 bags of chips... chances are I will eat 5 bags of chips!
If I'm buying excessive cake mixes, I am bound to be making cake for the next week straight.
I will snack on what is laying around in my pantry.
If you don't want to be snacking on it.... SIMPLE- don't buy it.

I have a really really REALLY hard time wasting food.
Maybe it was just because we kept to a food budget for a little while through law school and I couldn't stand to have something go bad in the fridge!

So if I buy a fridge full of fruit and veggies, I will snack on all things fruit and veggies.

My favorite is buying the HUGE package of spinach from Costco or Sams.
HA I find ways to stick spinach into EVERYTHING just so it doesn't go bad on us.
( that is a lot of spinach for the week for just 2 of us )
Brown Rice, Eggs, Smoothies, Soup, Cooked Veggies I just throw it in with everything...
My husband thinks I go a little overboard with the spinach -
BUT GOSH IT IS SOOO GOOD FOR YOU!

My point being, if you are buying fresh foods, rather than chips and crackers,
you will snack on the fresh foods.
Don't buy something if you don't want yourself eating it.

#3. OUT OF THE BOX
I think people's biggest downfall when it comes to grocery shopping is buying everything in a box or a bag.
If it's in a box or a bag - it is (generally) PROCESSED food.
There is no way around the fact.
Limit your "box buying" ( AKA cookies, crackers, chips, cereal, granola bars (( as healthy as they may "seem" )) frozen meals, ETC. )

Focus on the produce and COLOR FOODS.
Which brings me to my next point....

#4. COLOR FOODS

90% of your shopping cart should look like a colorful rainbow.

These are some foods that are always found in my shopping cart...

**Berries - one of the best things you can eat.
I have to have some type of berry every single day.
It will keep you regular and they are GREAT stomach flattening foods.

** Bananas - Although I'm not a fan of them plain,
I try and stick them in my smoothies to get the nutrients - SO GOOD for you.

** Spinach and Lettuce - I say them both because I ALWAYS buy both.
I have found that spinach doesn't have much of a taste - So, like I said earlier, I end up sticking it in everything.
Aaron jokes that I can always find a place for spinach in a meal.

** Avocados - MY FAV!!
I LOVE avocados. Aaron is the guac master and we love anything that has to do with that green stuff!
Although avocados are a fat - they are a healthy fat!
I try and stay away from dressings on sandwiches and salads and use avocados as a replacement.

** Apples - An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
I'm a believer!
No but really, I love apples, one of my favorite snacks!

** Veggies - I usually buy baby carrots and celery each week.
I know I am a health nut, but I have to be honest and say that besides lettuce and spinach, I have a hard time with veggies!
( Especially veggies raw - I like them better cooked! )
That being said, I still try and make buying veggies a priority because if I have them in my fridge, I will eat them.

REMEMBER this : THE DARKER THE COLOR THE MORE NUTRIENT THE FOOD
( Don't be thinking a little head of white iceberg lettuce is doing the trick of your veggie fill for the day )

P.S. Yes, I am totally that mom that wakes her child up and takes him to the grocery store in his PJ's. ^

#5. EVALUATE YOURSELF
Check your shopping cart at check out.

Do "I" see the colors of the rainbow?
( And no that does not mean buy a fruit loop box and call it good ;)

How many "BOXES" of processed foods did I buy?

Is there a food in there that I will be mad at myself for eating after I eat it?
( Don't buy the Twinkie, it's not worth it! )

Did I stoop to the level of buying the frozen casserole lasagna dish??
( Don't do it! - SO bad for you!!!! )

Is my cart 90% colorful and fresh!?

P.S. Do not read this and think I deprive my husband and child of fun treats!
Of course I buy a box of fruit-loops, a bag of goldfish, tortilla chips and the occasional Dreyer's Ice Cream.
The point being 90% of my grocery cart is colorful and fresh.
Make that your goal because THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART.

Happy HEALTHY grocery shopping and remember your lists..
My husband is convinced I will be 80 years old and finally remember to grab my list ;) XO

So I have to be honest,
I wrote this awhile back and couldn't bring myself to post it
because I felt like it was something I was still working on myself.

Everything I write about, I truly believe in.
I like to actually feel that it's worked for me before telling the world my opinion.

That being said, 1 year ago, December of 2013, we found out we were pregnant with our second child.
We were so excited.

In February of 2014, I lost the pregnancy.
It was really really really hard on me.
I was 13 weeks along and rejoicing to be over that first trimester of sickness
only to find out the baby didn't make it.

I am usually a happy, easy going, people pleasing person
and this little experience I had threw me for a loop.

Complications followed my miscarriage D&C surgery and 5 days later I ended up in the ER for excessive bleeding,
causing the recovery process to be longer than normal and a little more painful.

My mom was able to fly down immediately and she took care of Ryan while I couldn't lift him and take care of him myself.

My "sac" ( and tissue ) that was removed during my D&C surgery was sent in to LABS to be tested.
A few weeks later, I got a call from my doctor saying they wanted to see me immediately because they had found a "mole" or abnormal growth in my "sac".

I soon found myself in another hospital gown while they x-rayed certain parts of my body to see if this "abnormal growth" had spread or worst case scenario, if it was cancerous.

My poor husband.
The slightest smallest chance that "your wife has cancer" ate him up inside.

He was in his last semester of Law School,
and trying to balance school,
while being there for me while I was in a very sad state of mind made it really hard on him.

After waiting for results,
we got the news that it was not cancerous and had not spread.

It was a complete blessing and a small miracle and we were so grateful.

However, because of this "mole" I was to come in for 6 months each week for blood work so they could monitor my levels.
It took 4 months after my miscarriage of my blood levels indicating I was still pregnant (( even though I clearly wasn't )) to FINALLY go back down to normal and then I only had to go in once a month.

Each week as I went in to get tubes of blood drawn at my OBGYN office....
I held back tears.

I watched as ladies held their little baby belly's in the waiting room and I couldn't help but wish that was me.
Instead, I was having to be pricked with needles and stuck in a "waiting period" for my body to get over the traumatic experience.

6 months finally past and I was cleared.
My blood levels were back down to normal and everything looked ok.
It was a long awaited 6 months and I was so happy and relieved that my body was completely "healthy" again in that aspect of life.

Fast forward 1 month -
Pregnancy Test - Another Positive.
We were SO HAPPY.
We told Ryan he was going to be a big brother and ran around the house saying "BABY" every day.

8 weeks later I woke up in the middle of the night with terrible very painful cramping.
I woke Aaron up at 2 AM in tears and told him the baby wasn't going to make it.
I knew right then and there I was going to miscarry.

Sure enough...my body miscarried naturally 3 days later.

Oh my goodness....
It crushed Aaron and I.
It hurt so bad.
I was so upset inside.
And I felt so helpless.

I found myself back in the Doctor's office with yet again another blood test, playing the same mind game with myself all over again.

It has been 2 months since this most recent experience.

I share my story not because I think my trials are worse than someone's else's trials,
( because I know for a fact they aren't even close)
and not because I am looking for sympathy because I promise we are doing okay over here :)
but I share it because during these experiences I found myself longing and wishing for what I had didn't have.

My thoughts were consumed with the phrase "what if" and "how come",
blinding me from what was right in front of my eyes.

My wonderful husband and beautiful baby boy.

I began to realize through this roller coaster of emotions that I was missing the happiness right in front of me.

I have SO much to be grateful for.

We all have our own battles to fight and lessons to learn.
I'm a true believer that every trial and life lesson comes with a reason.
There is a bigger purpose behind it all and one day it will all make sense.

Just have a little extra faith.

Life has it's ups and downs and will throw curve balls your way.
Don't let them get the best of you.

During this last year I have learned to love my "now".
Even if it isn't the "NOW" I had planned in my head.
I have stopped wishing and longing for what I DON'T have but tried to fully enjoy what I DO have.

For now,
This is my NOW.

And I am one lucky girl.

Wherever you are this holiday season,
whatever your circumstance,
look for the good.
Eliminate the complicated parts and the sad parts,
and love your NOW.
Time passes way too quickly to wish it away.

@kmpowell

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