How many of you wear glasses? I am happy to say that while I don’t anymore, I DID for a LONG LONG TIME. In fact, I was the very first person in my grade school to ever GET glasses. Weird, right? Eyeglasses have definitely come a long way since I started wearing them in second grade.

(I totally had these same exact glasses as a kid. image from here.)

Glasses USA might just change the way you choose and buy online glasses. In addition to offering prescription glasses at discounted prices, they also have prescription sunglasses too! They also offer a 110% lowest price guarantee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee along with a generous refer-a-friend program.

The worst part about getting glasses when I was little was taking the time out to go to the eye doctor, get the exam, then having to choose a pair pretty much on the spot. I hated having to choose! I liked them ALL. They had walls upon walls of glasses- different styles, shapes- I loved looking, but hated narrowing it down. The coolest part about Glasses USA is that they have a virtual mirror where you can try on styles before you buy glasses!

It’s pretty awesome! That way, you have a pretty good idea of what you are actually getting before you buy. I think it’s genius! You can stay up to date with Glasses USA through their Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/glassesusa) and on Twitter (@GlassesUSA).

Glasses USA has generously offered up an awesome discount for my readers!
Take 50% off any pair of prescription eyeglasses/sunglass frames, plus free shipping. Code:SPRING50FS
Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses. Code: Blog10

I was compensated for this post but the content is my own. 

This month’s topic is “How has being a mother changed you?’

Where do I start?

(Me pregnant with Kenley)

As soon as I found out I was pregnant with Brayden, things changed. My point of view on things changed. I wanted to get our will done. I made sure I was taking my prenatal vitamins, drinking plenty of water, and had baby on the brain 24/7. I researched car seats, strollers, diapers, monitors, and read countless pregnancy/parenting books. I couldn’t watch the news/Dateline/any show about child abuse, missing children, etc. It was all so heartbreaking. My husband and I talked about the role that church would play in our lives, where we would want our kids to go to school, and I prayed to the Lord that he would give me the strength and the knowledge to raise Brayden (and his future siblings) the way He wanted us to.

It wasn’t until I was a mother that I realized just what it was I wanted for us as a family, and how hard I would have to work to make those things happen. I want my children to have me as a stay at home mom, and that doesn’t come without some sacrifices. I want my children to have better than I had it, but still know the value of hard work. I want to take family vacations, have make your own pizza nights, and have our own holiday traditions. But most importantly, I want them to know the Lord. I want them to trust Him with the decisions that they make, and I want to teach them about the power of prayer. I want them to know that they aren’t perfect but that God’s plan for them is, as is His timing.

You see, THOSE were the things I should have been worrying about the entire time I was pregnant. Luckily, I still have time! On a lighter note, I have also learned how to survive on less sleep than I was ever accustomed to, order coffee through the drive-thru with one eye open (ok that one might be exaggerated), how to get stains out of most anything, and most importantly, how to love like I never imagined I could.

image via here

• Brayden had his last Kindermusik class of the semester today. It was filled with everyone’s favorite things and we had so much fun. It has been so great for him, although I am not sure if we will be back in the fall. With Kenley being around the 1 year mark by then, I would have to do separate classes for each and I am not sure if an hour drive plus finding someone to keep the other every week would be a good idea.
• Our weekend was pretty great. I got a sweet card from the hubs for Mother’s Day and I got to grocery shop alone! The weather was beautiful so we enjoyed some outdoor time as well.
• The beautiful weather makes me wish I would have NEVER agreed to this clothing challenge. I need skirts/shorts- I am hot already and it has only been like 80* here. *sigh*
• My running endeavor isn’t going as well as I had hoped, but I am not discouraged yet! I have been stretching daily so I don’t hurt myself and I am hoping to go a few evenings this week. I knew it would take time, so I can’t give up just yet!
• This gorgeous weather is just a floating reminder that I am nowhere near bikini ready- and my goal is to wear a bikini on our vacation in January. Fingers crossed!

How was your Monday?

What amazes me most about being a mother is simply the love that exudes out of my children. I am so blessed and thankful that these two beautiful kiddos call me mom.

It’s not the easiest job, but it IS the most rewarding. And now that I am a mother, I am SO incredible thankful to have my mom. I never realized all she did when we were kids- but it’s tough. I love her for it. She’s an awesome grandma to my kids, too- we love her!

TOMS Wedges

Aerosoles Plush Pillow Wedges

And since I have Kenley this spring, I can’t resist cute shoes for her!

Joyfolie shoes

Joyfolie shoes

If only I had unlimited funds…..

Linking up with Gussy!

I want to get into running.

I know. The girl who walked the mile every year for PE class, yet was able to complete them during cheerleading practice. (Also, why do cheerleaders need to run THAT far?)

Anyways, yes. Over the weekend, I decided I wanted to get into running. I need to do SOMETHING to keep off this baby weight now that Kenley is only nursing twice a day. I have relied on breastfeeding for far too long to rid myself of those extra calories, and I just want to be fit. I want to be able to run. I want to lose some weight and tone up. I want to make better eating decisions. But mostly, I just want to feel good about myself and keep up with my busy kids!

I have been inspired by several ladies… Ruthanne, Leah, Ashley, and Katie- reading their blogs about running and how much progress they have made is truly awesome. It makes me feel like I can really start from nowhere and no matter how fast or far I can run, I am doing something awesome for my body, my mind, and my overall well-being.

Sunday night I started out using the Ease into 5K app on my iPhone. It was recommended by a friend, and I really like it so far! I stretched and completed 2 of the 3 reps that was required to pass that level. Unfortunately, I didn’t complete  because the lack of support from my sports bra combined with my already sore girls from ending nursing- let’s just say OUCH. BUT I am proud to say that I did better than I expected. I ordered a new sports bra so that will help!

The hardest part for me will be making the time, but I really, really need to do this. So it will become a priority, and maybe, I will actually get to the point where I love it.

And practice we did. We bought some farm animals like the ones at therapy, and I really made sure to set aside some time that was strictly one on one with him to work on his speech. I made him attempt to ask for something rather than just getting it because I knew what he wanted. It wasn’t that we were doing anything wrong, it was just that our approach needed some modification.

We asked him to repeat things, but didn’t withhold things if he didn’t. In the beginning he got frustrated very quickly and would just completely shut down. I didn’t want that to happen. Over time, he was adding a few new words per week. He finally starting imitating animal sounds, and then all of the sudden, he was putting 2 or 3 words together!

A few weeks ago, he had another evaluation (they typically do one after 6 months) and Brayden was falling in the “normal” range, but still on the low end. We decided to keep at it per week until he met a few more of his goals. After he met a few more, we dropped it to every other week, with a plan to be done at the end of May (just in time for his therapist’s maternity leave!) When we went this past week? He finished up his goals, and we decided to be done! HOW awesome is that?! I am SO proud of him, and so thankful for his therapist and all of her hard work and encouragement. Brayden is unstoppable with his speech now, and I am SO so grateful.

It just doesn’t seem right! This month, Kenley has almost mastered sitting up without any assistance. That photo was taken rather quickly before she toppled over! If I put the boppy pillow behind her, she can sit unattended for a few minutes, and she LOVES that. She also likes to sit in the high chair with some toys in the morning while I clean up in the kitchen and make breakfast.

She still only has the two teeth, and there are no signs of any others- so that’s good for me! Teething is such a bear.

She can roll from tummy to back quite easily, but still hasn’t mastered going from back to tummy. She is getting close, so I imagine that will be something she can do well by this time next month! As far as being mobile, she goes in a circle when she is on her tummy so get to things- not going forwards or backwards just yet. That’s fine by me!

Kenley nurses (sort of) when she wakes up, about 30-45 minutes later has cereal/fruit, naps, wakes up, has cereal/veggie, plays for awhile, naps, plays some more, more cereal, then around 8pm nurses (sort of) before bed. It’s kind of touch and go these days, and it’s pretty clear that she is about done. When she actually nurses, it’s only for a couple of minutes. She just can’t decide what to do! She’s generally in bed by 9pm and sleeps until around 6:30am.

Kenley is still in size 3 diapers, but I fear by next month we may have to go up a size again already. Girlfriend is chunking out! I love her little leg rolls, and now that it has been warm enough, I can’t get enough of her in rompers. SO cute. She is still fitting into some 3-6 month stuff, wearing 9 month pajamas, and has a 0-3 month pair of jeans that she just wore the other day. Seriously? All over the place. She’s still a peanut compared to her brother at this age. Brayden had almost 3 pounds and 1 1/2 inches on her when he was 7 months old. We don’t call him the moose for nothing!

Kenley Ann, this is such a FUN stage. You are learning, growing, and are such a content, happy baby. We love you so much!

I am trying to convince myself of that. I was in quite a bit of pain because of it, and I can tell my supply is diminishing.

I am ready to be done, and if she is doing it herself, then I really see no point in prolonging the inevitable. But it just went SO fast this time. I sort of miss nursing already. (I never thought I would actually say that.) It was pretty much the only time I got to just sit down and spend some one on one time with Kenley. It’s relaxing. It helped get some of my baby weight off. It’s a bond that is just so intense and unbelievable.

And in a flash, she’s growing up.

I am trying really hard not to be sad about it, and for the most part, I am happy. With several weddings we are attending this summer, plus my sister’s wedding festivities, it’s for the better. I did my part for as long as I needed to for her… it’s time to move on.

It’s bittersweet.