Tag Archive | My life

It Could Have Been Me…

It could have been you. Anyone of us Mothers could be feeling the absolute heartbreak Melissa Graves is feeling right now. The numbness, the regret, the blame, the devistation.

None of us are immune to tragedy. None of us can see the future. None of us know if the last hug or frustrated sigh over uneaten dinner will be the last. None of us know when our number is up.

None of us are perfect parents. Not a single one of us can claim we have never taken our eyes off our child for a split second. Not a single parent alive can pretend that in a brief second, one horrible life changing second couldn’t destroy our lives and take our baby away forever. Because deep down we know it could it. Things happen. Horrible, unthinkable things…accidents happen.

Accidents happen. Think about that for a second. Then remember why we don’t spend every second of our lives worrying about these unthinkable tragedies. We don’t because we can’t. We spend our lives trying our best to make happy, fun memories with our littles. Because we want them to live and enjoy life, even if those lives are short. We want to see their smiles and hear their giggles.

That is exactly what the Graves family was doing on a magical family trip before it all got taken away in one of those horrible life changing seconds. Please remember that before you cast doubt, point a finger of blame or claim this would never happen to your child! Please be kind to parents who are facing horrible things, be kind to the family at the restaurant with the toddler melting down, be understanding to the Mom who can’t get her children to leave the playground without them screaming wildly. Just be kind.

Parenting is hard, it’s exhausting, it’s frustrating. Parenting is a full time job, it doesn’t stop because you’re on vacation and if it does stop you’d give your own life to bring it back.

No Apologies…

Apr25

Happy Monday! I would love to tell you I’m well rested and excited for the week but I’m not! I covered a 12 hour night shift at work on the weekend, had an Epicure party, got our taxes done, had a ton of things to do and generally didn’t take any time to recharge!

I’m hoping next weekend will be a bit different. Friday night I have an Epicure party, Saturday is Epicure’s Big Buisness conference and also my Birthday!! But Sunday I’m keeping open for some quiet time!!

So you’re probably wondering how my week went in terms of healthy living! Well this morning I weighed myself and I’m down 2 pounds! I’m happy with that because I know slow and steady truly does get things done!

My successes last week were definitely meal preping for my at work meals, increasing my water intake, and better portioning.

I was challenged with eating on the weekend because I didn’t prep. As much as I’d like to wing the weekends I don’t think that’s an option for me. I do best when I’ve thought things through and planned for my day. I’m going to try preping lunches and breakfasts for the weekend Thursday night this week.

I allowed myself a cheat snack on Friday and a cheat meal yesterday morning of pancakes and sausage. It was yummy. I’ve also been having 10 chocolate chips once a day to keep the cravings under control! So far so good! I refuse to fully deny myself of the things I love because I know that will lead to a full on binge.

I was happy to get in some good walks this past week and a few mini at home workouts. My goal is to get to the gym 3 times this week! I find getting to the gym since having Jacob is extremely tough for me but I acknowledge I need to make it a priority!

I wore my Fitbit a few days last week and I truly hate how it rubs my wrist! I need to get a different band if I want to wear it frequently.

I’ve included a few photos of my food choices and pictures from my walks! I’m trying to decide if I want to update daily or weekly! So many choices!

2015 The Year That Changed Everything!

Jan1

I’m not really sure where the year went. They say as you age time goes by faster. I must be 102 for how fast 2015 passed me bye!

2015 changed my life forever! It was the year I was blessed with having my amazing son. He is the light of my life, my whole world, my everything.

2015 taught me that I have to stand up for myself, love myself, and be prepared to walk away from those willing to hurt me.

2015 reminded me family isn’t defined by bloodlines or marriage.

2015 proved to me that even the darkest cloud has a silver lining.

2015 provided me the opportunity to take risks and to be brave enough to say “why not”.

2015 solidified that I can do anything I put my mind to, even if the task is excruciating!

2015 was the year that really opened my eyes. I became a mother, a 1/2 marathoner! I felt emotions I never dreamed of. I learned what it feels like to love something more than life itself. To be willing to give up everything to protect something else. I let go of my belief in keeping the peace and doing things I don’t want to just to appease others. I trusted myself more than I ever have. I trusted my ability and my strength.

I’m ready to take on 2016 with my little man by my side!! Let’s do this!!

Quitting…

Dec9

We all have a thousand things to do this time of year! Lets face it, we have a thousand things to do at all times during the year. Life can be overwhelming at times and for me yesterday was one of those times.

Yesterday I made the decision to quit Weight Watchers. I am both saddened and relieved by this. I am saddened for a few reasons, mainly because I will miss the weekly visits with my meeting friends. I’ve made some strong friendship connections since joining in June. I know I will still see those friends, just not as frequently. I am also saddened because by quiting im losing my built in accountability of a weekly weigh in. Back in 2011 (before my Lupus got bad) I had amazing success with Weight watchers. I lost over 50 pounds in a year with the program! Of course my life was very different then and I had amazing support from a friend, freedom/ability to workout when I wanted, much less responsibility, etc. This time around my success has been much slower. I’ve lost 15 pounds since June 1st. I realize my illness and my new Mom life are both factors in my slow loosing and I accept that. I make a point of eating healthy and doing what I can when I can, that to me in itself is a success! Not all victories are revealed by the number on the scale or the size of my pants!!

You might be wondering why I quit given I just told you all about my success! I quit because I can’t get behind the new program released this week. The changes are substantial and I can’t wrap my head around a program that says I can have a beer for less points than a glass of milk! I can eat heavily processed/ chemical laden brand name potato crisps for less points than a 1/4 avocado. In my opinion the points values of many foods no longer represents their nutrition! I can’t force myself to follow a program that doesn’t give me enough daily points to have oatmeal with milk, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter for breakfast. A green salad with 4 oz of grilled chicken, 1/4 of an avocado, & 1 tablespoon dressing for lunch, and a high fibre wrap with 4 oz lean protein, 1 oz of cheese, veggies and salsa for dinner. Plus one serving of Greek yogurt and berries for a snack! That’s three healthy meals and one snack and according to the new program I wouldn’t have enough points for that.

When a program starts to cause more stress than health benifits it’s time to throw in the towel. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not throwing in the towel on healthy eating! I’m just throwing in the towel on paying $60 a month to be stressed out when making healthy choices!!

A Little Life Update

Nov23

Hi friends! I’ve missed you! Jacob is napping so I thought I’d take a few minutes and say hello! I’ve been busy chasing my tiny terror everywhere! He’s small but he can move!!

Last week I did something I’ve been considering for a long time, I signed up with Epicure as an independent consultant. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am about this. I’ve been using and loving Epicure products for a couple years now. Any of you who follow me on Instagram know how often I share my creations featuring Epicure spices, blends, and cookware! I love that their products are low/no sodium, healthy, gluten free, and many are certified non-Gmo! I also love that it’s a local, woman run company! I look forward to sharing my Epicure adventures with you all!

Erica McGavin with Epicure – check out all Epicure’s awesome products here!

On the home front we had a koi pond emergency this past Saturday. We aren’t sure what exactly happened but the pond drained from 5 feet to 1 foot over night. Needless to say we had our hands full trying to relocate and save our fish! Between the raccoons, heron and leak it’s been a tough year for those suckers! Rest assure they are safe… They will be spending the winter in our hot tub. We had to quickly seal the jets with pond tape but it’s done and they are as happy as can be! I bet we have the only indoor pond on the block!

I was lucky enough to receive free passes for The Westcoast Christmas show this past weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed browsing, shopping and seeing Santa!

The weekend prior we got to check out the Langley Christmas show and I picked up some great local products!

We’ve also been busy celebrating Kevin’s birthday and our 5th wedding anniversary! Seriously where does the time go??? Wherever it goes, we’re exhausted!

I hope everyone is happy and healthy! ❤️

My Quiet Friday

Aug28

I’ve decided to get back to sharing more of my life on the blog as well as the recipes and reviews.

I think sharing more about my eating, exercises, and life in general helps keep me more accountable. Plus who doesn’t want to see more of this little charmers face?!?

Today was a quiet day. I cancelled plans with a friend and just embraced the rain and being at home. I got lucky this morning and once again was blessed with a beautiful double yolked farm egg for breakfast.

I long to own my own farm with my own chickens!

This evening I took some “Me time” to make a beautiful Fall center piece for our coffee table. I was inspired by the ones I saw yesterday at Homesense.

While I liked the above store version I felt I could make one myself! My brother helped me build the Wooden box out of reclaimed wood. I love how it turned it!

My other productive activities today consisted of cleaning, vacuuming, and baking a Zucchini chocolate chip loaf.

I love this time of year. Fall is well in it’s way and I long for cozy blankets, candles, cuddles and tea. I adore the fall decor, seasonal scents and the pumpkins everywhere!!

I look forward to sharing my Fall season with you!

Pardon The Quietness Around Here!

Jul6

I’m very busy growing a baby!!!

Thankful Thursday ~ December 12

Dec12

I know I missed thankful Thursday last week! To be honest with you it took me a long time to figure out why. Then I remembered last Thursday Kevin and I got a start on our Christmas shopping! Then we took a few hours Friday and finished the shopping. We were a very efficient shopping team!

Yesterday we went out to Aldor acres and went tree hunting! I love Aldor Acres farm! Not only did we get the perfect little tree again this year we got to see all the adorable farm animals including day old baby goats and 6 week old kittens!! I didn’t want to leave! If you ever find yourself in Fort Langley check out the farm! It’s an amazing family run farm that has a huge pumpkins patch in the fall and u cut tree lot for that perfect christmas tree! It is also a working dairy farm! Lots to see and learn.

So back to what I am thankful for! Tonight I wrapped all the christmas gifts. I am thankful that this year christmas has zero stress attached to it for us. The tree is up, gifts are bought and wrapped, lights are up, the personalized advent calendar for Kevin has been a huge hit so far! It’s nice to know we can just sit back and enjoy the season.

We are going to make a trip to the local animal shelter and hopefully OWL this coming week to drop of a donation of supplies. Most shelters have their need listed on their website.

We are also going to pick up a couple toys and some groceries for our local food and toy bank. I am extremely thankful that we are able to do these things to help our community. It may not be much but every little bit helps.

Inspiration Comes When You Least Expect It

Dec11

Murdoch Mcivor house in Fort Langley BC Canada taken December 11 2013

December & Where I’m At

Dec11

Am I the only one who is having a hard time believing the calendar is down to just one page? I can’t fathom how quickly the year passed by! It seems like just yesterday I packing up the Christmas decorations from last year. I guess it’s true that the older you get the faster time flies.

So I’ve decided to try to do a little “Where I’m at” feature on the blog every couple week! A little insight into the here and now of my life! I know you’re all super excited about this! 😉

Anyways as I mentioned yesterday my morning routine right now involves getting up and searching the house for Elfonzo and the cracking open my advent calendar. My mornings are actually designated “me time”. It’s the time of the day I take things slow and enjoy the quiet. I watch the birds that visit my feeder, sip my coffee, cuddle with Muffin. I read blogs, check emails, scroll through Instagram and contemplate the day ahead! I think quiet time is one of the most valuable things a person can grant them self. In the mornings I also like to spread out my mat and get in some yoga and stretching. Not every single morning is like this but as many as possible.

It was this morning during my quiet time while reading some other blogs that I decided to try a new way of sharing where I’m at.

Making: I’m currently making the best of my quiet time this morning!

Thinking about: Tonight! Katie and I have a Lululemon shopping date! I’m pretty excited about this.

Cooking: Currently nothing but later I’m going to cook the Caribbean chicken breasts that the guy at our local Clancy’s location whipped up for me despite them being very out of season!

Drinking: Coffee cake tea from David’s tea. It was yesterday’s offering in the advent calendar and I really like the flavor.

Reading: I just started The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I’m only a few pages in but so far so good.

Wanting: To feel better and to know if I’m pregnant this month. I’m extremely frustrated with how awful I’ve felt for the last month. It started with a bad cold which inevitably led to a Lupus flare. I then faced 2 weeks of almost non stop nausea followed by extreme stomach pain. Friday night got to the point that in all honesty I should have went to the hospital. I am stubborn, I’m working on it. After a mini family intervention I realized it wasn’t in my best interest to run the Santa shuffle last weekend.

Looking: I’m looking forward to Emma and I’s lunch date with Santa this weekend.

Wasting: half a loaf of cranberry pecan bread 😦 it went super hard within one day of buying it. I hate wasting food, it’s so hard on the environment and wallet.

Wishing: The rain would stay away and we could keep the uncomplicated dusting of snow all month long.

Enjoying: I’m enjoying the quiet and the simple sights and smells of christmas throughout my home. I’m also enjoying the lovely cuddles Muffin is smothering upon me!

Waiting: For Kevin to wake up so we can decide if its Christmas tree chopping day! And when he wakes up he gets to open another present from his personalized advent calendar I made this year.

Liking: The snowflake decorations and Christmas lights Kevin put up outside last weekend!

Wondering: If Muffin has any idea how much space she manages to take up for such a tiny dog! This morning she has decided my boobs are in fact pillows!

Loving: My life! Despite being sick I still love my life and everyone I share it with.

Hoping: That I can get back to the gym and a routine soon.

Marveling: at the variety of birds my feeders attract! My little friends visit from sun up to sundown everyday. They chirp and sing happily reminding me they are thankful for all the treats I provide them. The flock of tiny tits are my favorite! I find their social feeding flock intriguing!

Needing: a massage. I think I’m going to book one for this weekend. A couples massage in fact so I can spend more time with Kevin.

Smelling: the most amazing Bath and body works Christmas candle. It’s called “’tis the season”. It smells like that cinnamon christmas spicy scent that reminds me of christmas.

Wearing: my new fleece snowflake pj’s!!! So warm and soft!

Hearing: Jason Derulo The other side

Following/Pinning lately I’ve been searching Pinterest for new Muffin recipes. It inspired me to create my own raspberry orange muffin recipe. I will share that recipe very soon. So yummy.

Noticing: my lack of in person interaction. Lately I’ve drifted away from spending time with friends in person. Mostly because the effort it requires and the pain I’m in. I need to change this. I miss my girls!

Avoiding: folding laundry!

Knowing: I am missed.

Disliking: how fast December is flying by and that Kevin doesn’t get Thursdays off any more.

Thinking: How lucky I am to have the life I do. To have this quiet time to reflect, cuddle, and blog!

Feeling: warm! Thanks to the fleece pj’s, electric blanket, and Muffin!

Bookmarking: A friends new life blog and looking for new realistic healthy living blogs to follow!

Giggling: at Mr. Nutty who has once again precariously perched himself on the bird feeder for a snack! He’s quite the little acrobat. I adore his antics.

Life With The McGavins

100% Not Sugar Coated