Where to Begin

Where to begin...After almost two years of not posting a word.. where do I begin..

Should I begin with one of the most life changing events.. Should I begin with how challenging the past two years have been.. Should I begin with what God has shown me...

Questions... of why I am writing something at the most hectic time of my life.. procrastination? a burst of energy?

Well..
For starters I wish I could have continued this blog after my last post and talking about my pregnancy journey or about the first year of life of my sweet daughter..but life happens.

I will start with 10 random thoughts from this past year and a half...
-I was pregnant! Overall my pregnancy journey was uneventful and healthy-just the way I could have wished!
-I had a baby! Labor was long and painful, but so rewarding! Although I was able to have her naturally, I definitely see why people get epidurals! PS why doesn't anyone talk about the craziness of postpartum.. especially the first few weeks.. how your body feels like you just got ran over by a truck.. or how it burns like no other every time you pee for like a month.. how I thought the contractions were going to be over after I pushed her out, but no they continued and felt like labor when I was breastfeeding for the first few days...or how is it possible to function on that little of sleep..
-Breastfeeding is a full time job...between the time spent actually doing it, pumping it, and worrying about it. It is definitely a personal decision, whether you do it for a day or two years, you are an awesome mom regardless.
-It crucial to have a supportive partner in crime! There is absolutely no way I could have gotten through my pregnancy, labor, delivery, or the first year of life (or the rest of my years on this earth really) without my amazing husband.
-Until you actually have a child you really do not know what you are in for... you could read every book out there, but nothing will truly prepare you. I highly recommend reading and attending child birth and other wonderful child-rearing classes, but don't freak out if you still feel overwhelmed and incompetent. You will get the hang of it..Be kind to yourself.. Sleep when you can and Pray a lot.
-Going back to school will be worth it right? Wow, what a journey the past two and half years have been...How have I survived balancing a baby, school, clinicals, work, wifehood? GOD- praying lots.. and a supportive partner in crime and amazing family and friends. Lord willing I will graduate in May with my Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner !
-I miss being crafty.. I think my husband knows how to use my sewing machine better than I do. I cannot wait until school is finished and I can have a hobby again.
-House projects? What house projects? I miss decorating.. the only major change was converting our guest room to my daughter nursery. Looking forward to redecorating when I get more time on my hands.. or a new home!
-I am so thankful for GRACE. I am so undeserving, but overwhelmingly grateful..God's grace, grace given by my husband, my daughter, my friends and family. Thank you.
-Where do I go from here..how should I transform this blog? What do you want to read more about?


Well I guess I could leave you with a few pictures from the last year and a half..

Day before I had my sweet girl

Sushi for Halloween

Baby's first flight

Baby's first trip to Florida to visit besties

Date Day

Future Wahoo! 

Happy First Birthday

Birthday Party Celebration

Pumpkin pickin' time

Happy 2nd Halloween-Kitty Cat

I am alive

I will definitely not be receiving the best blogger of the year award, far from it. Life has been pretty busy in our neck of the woods since the last time I blogged. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find time to be creative due to school, work and life.

There are some fun updates I can't wait to share and plan on doing so this week!

Run Haley Run

Please pardon my absence..at the end of March I formulated a post, but failed to finish it. I was hoping to at least post once a month, but obviously that hasn't happened. Why haven't I been chattin' it up on here you might ask..

Since the end of December I have been training for a 10K race. My goals for the New Year were to exercise at least three times a week, which ended up turning into doing at least three races this year which obviously meant I would have to exercise at least 3 times each week. I have been successful and this past weekend I completed my second race for this year so far. At the end of March, I completed the Ukrop's Monument Ave 10K that I had been training for ! The race was crazy crowded, over 40,000 people participated, the sideline volunteers made the event fun, but the dodging of runners was one downfall. Overall I was pleased with my performance, my time was 51:04, for my first 10K! I was just glad I was able to finish it after all the hard work, pain and sweat I put into training. Just about 2 months ago I injured my knee running on some hilly trails. The pain will come and go and it felt pretty good up until the day of the race, but if you know me then you know I can't let pain get in the way, so I persevered and I have lived to tell about (with continued pain of course, I may be stubborn). I did rest the knee a few days last week before the race this past weekend.

With my BFF(s) at the 10K

This weekend's race, Point of Honor 5K, was fun, it was quite a bit smaller than the 10K which made it a little easier as far as not tripping over people, but there were some killer hills on the course. I ended up finishing with a time of 24:05 and got first in my age group, definitely an encouragement and motivation booster. It definitely helped running the race with someone, typically I run alone because I am an addicted music listener while I run and so if I run with someone I don't want to be rude. My dear friend Heather understands and pushed me along the way to the finish line as I jammed out to my tunes.

Up next, this coming weekend I will be getting muddy and dodging obstacles with some girlfriends from work at the MudWarrior race in Charlottesville to benefit the Hope Community Center. I am a little nervous, mostly because I don't want to injury myself (I am very clumsy), but overall we will have a fun time and enjoy a fun girls night out afterward in my old stomping grounds.

So since I can't be content in having just run a 10K, my new goal is to run in the Richmond half marathon in November. I have contemplated running the Virginia 10 miler and the jury is still out on that one.

I have really enjoyed being more active and healthier. It has made a difference in how I feel about myself and has given me a competitive outlet that I have been missing since my days of college field hockey. More recently I have been working towards focusing on having fun with running and not becoming obsessed with it because I can tend to be somewhat intense at the get go and not always get the complete joy out of some experiences ( if this makes any sense). I know that the Lord could take all of this away tomorrow, so I remain thankful for this ability and remind myself to take each day at a time.

I have learned so much about running over the past few months, I am constantly being introduced to new vocabulary, people, tips, etc. It is fun to surround yourself with supportive and motivating people when your so passionate about something. Although I am a newbie I have been so pleased with how friendly and supportive the running community has been here. Not to mention the support and encouragement from my friends and family, it is vital especially when I am having a less than motivated day.

One item that has kept my steam up during training is my Garmin watch my amazing in laws got me (so thoughtful!) I love being able to constantly see my mileage and pace (it can become a little bit of an obsession).

Well I guess I have rambled enough about my recent running adventures...Have any tips?
Wish me luck this weekend as I get down and dirty (hopefully not so much of the down part).

Busy Running Around

Please accept my apology for the neglect.
My time has been filled up with the statistics class I am taking,
it is much more time consuming than I had anticipated. Beside working full time
I am trying to fit in training for a 10K. My training has been going really well, it gets
tricky with fitting it into my hectic schedule, but for right now I am running 3 to 4 times a week.
Each week my times are improving and I am increasing my milage. Yesterday I ran 5 miles and my
time was 43:07. I am pretty pleased with that, overall it was a pretty steady good run. There is so much more to running that I ever thought, I have a lot more to learn, but I am finally starting to enjoy it. I use to hate running, but once you make it part of your routine, it becomes more natural and you need it. The biggest struggle is getting out the door. I am thinking about getting a Garmin watch, I really need
to research them more, but I think it would be a good tool to invest in. I have been loving
the beautiful weather this winter, but unfortunately it is starting to really feel like
 winter, boo. I haven't been doing too much decorating or sewing lately with
 everything else that is going on. The hubs and I have been trying out some
new recipes, but that is as creative as it has gotten this past month. We
are hoping to get some painting done this month.

Well, I gotta go 'er done. Hope you are having a great week.

Have any good running tips?

-Haley-

Out with the OLD, In with the NEW

While reflecting back on this past year, I realized it was mostly filled with traveling and house updates. 


We spent most of our time on the East Coast, except for Chris taking a trip to Southern California for work. We explored many places in Virginia, including Richmond, Norfolk, the Chesapeake Bay, Bristol, Roanoke, Charlottesville, Warm Springs, Williamsburg and places in between. We also made stops in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and DC. We had some awesome beach vacations to Hilton Head and Kiawah Island--sooo RELAXING! 

As Far As Home Improvements..

We managed to add some curb appeal to our home by painting our front door. It definitely makes us stand out on out street. In 2012 we plan giving the abode a good wash, hopefully staining the deck, and purchasing and/or building a shed.

*BEFORE*

*AFTER*

Our kitchen had a transformation between the beautiful kitchen island (thanks to my dearest daddy) and some fresh coats of paint. We tossed the old vertical blinds and put up a pair of chocolate brown panels and added a fun floral rug under the island. In the new year we may continue to contemplate changing the counter tops and possibly install a bead board backsplash. 

*BEFORE*

*BEFORE*

*AFTER*

*AFTER*

The living room (although still a work-in-progress) had a game changing make over. We were able to upgrade our couch, have built-ins made and installed (again by daddy dearest), got a new coffee table for Christmas, I threw some pillows together, and rearranged and redecorated frequently. This year we have plans to paint the walls a light gray hue, finish up some coordinating pillows and add some wall art. I have a plan to get a new rug, still trying to convince the hubs.

*BEFORE*

*BEFORE*

*AFTER*

We have bought some other eclectic pieces scattered through out the house, but above were the big projects we are proud of from 2011. One of our biggest goals for the house this year will be to finish painting the other rooms. Also, I want to get rid of some of the random clutter and be better about being purposeful when I buy stuff. So far I think I am doing well, I sold our old couch and coffee table and.. I didn't go to one antique store when I was in Richmond this past weekend. Go me!

As for my personal resolutions goals for 2012:

• I want to run and/or exercise at least 3 times a week
• Sign up for 3 races
• Read 3 books
• Take better care of my skin (I have been really bad about washing my face before bed)
• Of course be a better and more understanding and loving wife, friend, daughter, sister and co-worker

I am looking forward to what the Lord has in store for me this year, specifically being a auntie :) x 2 !!

Before I forget I want to THANK YOU for reading the random craziness I write about! You are what keeps me writing!

Jingle Jangle

Merry (almost) Christmas! I can't believe Christmas is 9ish days away, time is flying by. Fortunately, I have gotten most of my shopping done and wrapped. I kept the decorating simple this year as you can see in some of the photos.

I got one of my Christmas presents early and I am sooo happy with it! My dad came up from Richmond on Thursday to bring and install the built-in bookselves!! They are exactly what our house needed and it dresses the place up a bit. I am still playing around with decorating them. Also, we have to calk in a few areas, throw another coat of paint on 'em and finish up some of the molding, but other than that they are set! It really is crazy what a difference they make in the space.

*BEFORE*

*AFTER*

Still playing around with all this new shelf space

Oh Christmas Tree::

We bought our Christmas tree a few weeks ago and boy was that a mistake. This is probably the driest tree I have seen in a while. Foster wags her tail from across the room and half the needles are on the floor, so by Christmas is will be pretty naked. I had great plans to string some popcorn and that probably won't happen, maybe next year. I used the same ornaments from last year with my paper ornaments I made out of an old abdominal surgery textbook. 

We had to find a new spot for the tree, since the usual spot is taken,
 so there it sets btw the living room and kitchen

My Ragamuffin Tree Topper::

I had been looking for cute tree toppers that weren't angels or stars and couldn't find much, so I made my own out of a styrofoam ball, strips of burlap, and straight pins.

It reminds me of a bad hair day

 Some of the other Christmas-y spots::

Kitchen table center piece with a yo-yo quilt runner

It's pretty simple, slightly boring, but that is okay.

Master Bathroom

Thanks for taking the tour, we could not be happier with the built-ins, my dad is just a genius-what can I say-if you don't believe me look at the island.

I hope your staying in the Christmas spirit and not getting too bogged down with the long lines, traffic, and festive holiday sweaters.

Tis the season to make stockings

Burlap stockings::

I have been wanting to make burlap stockings since last Christmas, but it didn't quite happen (read more about that here). This year I was determined to knock 'em out, so yesterday I got 'er done! I am pretty excited with how well they turned out, not as hard as I thought they would be. They are definitely not perfect-but nothing is-it is called character. 

Each stocking has two pieces of burlap and two pieces of batting. The top of the stocking is actually the  outside trim of an old pillow case and I picked up some maroon ribbon from Walmart. I made the fabric rosettes out of the pillow case fabric and the ribbon trim. I played with different fabrics and embellishments and this is what I came up with. I used some old brass buttons to add a little something to the center of the rosettes.

How are you getting in the holiday CHRISTMAS spirit?