you can do anything...really!

The homepage of Google today is celebrating the 216th anniversary of the first parachute jump. Why not? Without that first jump there would be millions of people who may never have gotten the chance to do something outrageous! Those jumps not only satisfied a real scary bucket list item but they inspired people to go off and do even BIGGER things than jumping off of cliffs and out of airplanes!

I have never jumped off a cliff or out of an airplane. Friends who have describe it as if they can now take on anything life throws at them head first.

I get that! I can relate it to running a marathon. When you finish a marathon you honestly feel like you can do ANYTHING. It generates a confidence that can't be beat out of you. You put your mind to something and you did it. Finishing my first, taught me the power of my words. I don't say "I can't" anymore because I know it isn't true. I can... and I will if I so choose.

Accomplishing goals... however big or small gives you a sense that you can accomplish more. So write them down and go out and DO.

how i killed my herb garden... twice

I refer to myself as a hands on learner. I don't read manuals or directions. I'm all for diving head first into the unknown and learning how to navigate the waters. But when is it wise to do a little research before you begin something new?

We bought our house a little over two years ago. We LOVE it. We have a perfect little backyard big enough for our sweet little schnoodle and entertaining a few friends.

I've always wanted a garden that I could pick fresh herbs and veggies from. Our backyard isn't quite big enough for a full on garden so I had the idea to create a hanging one.

Here is how it turned out...

AWESOME, RIGHT?!

It lasted about two months. I blamed the hot Houston weather for their death. I shook it off. I was still proud of my pinteresty efforts.

This past spring, I thought I'd give it another go and replant. New year, new crop! The weather here is very, very hot so I'd rush home from work every day hoping that my garden didn't die in the 6-8 hours I was away. I watered everyday and coordinated with the neighbors when we we're not going to be in town. 

This time they lasted a month and a half. 

Really? OK, I give up. This isn't going to work. What is wrong with me? Why can't I grow basic herbs? 

Then last week my husband sent me an e-mail with a link to a blog about the top ten mistakes new herb gardeners make. It wasn't until this e-mail (two years later) that I recognize that I know nothing about growing herbs or maintaining a garden. #duh #superduh 

(this is my light bulb moment)

What I've learned is that sometimes, if you want to be successful with something, you may want to do your homework. I let my "do it now" mentality get the best of me as I rushed to Home Depot to pick up pots, soil, and herbs. I didn't stop to ask myself important questions like, "what month of the year is the best for planting herbs in Texas?" or "is this an indoor or outdoor plant I am buying?" I just did it... and it didn't work.  

I didn't go out and buy my car without doing research. We didn't buy our baby's crib without reading reviews. So why did I think I could grow a sustainable herb garden? Knowing nothing other than I needed a pot and some seeds.

OK... now I know what needs to happen next year. I need to do some research! I accept that I am not an expert in all areas. I choose to be a student always. I ask questions when I need answers. I slow down when I start a new project.  

If you are interested in herb gardening you and want to avoid rookie mistakes like mine you can check out the article I mentioned earlier here.

For inspiration or ideas on setting up a garden in a small space click here. I also recommend spending countless hours oo'ing and ahh'ing over pins like these on pinterest. 

Now go get up to something new! Google is your BFF for information if you have no idea where to begin! #shouldawouldacoulda

-s

baby brain is no joke...

baby brain... "momnesia"

When you get pregnant they say that you're so preoccupied with preparing for baby's arrival that you tend to "slip up," or become a little "forgetful." #totalunderstatement

Here are a few funny moments that myself and some of my friends have experienced...

I once took another person's grocery cart at the market down an entire isle before I realized what I had done.

I left for spin class without my spin shoes.

A friend of mine in Houston once put a hair dryer away with the pots and pans and couldn't find it for weeks.

I left my groceries in the car for 6 hours after I got home.

My friend left her keys in the ignition of her car overnight on the street... lucky for her it was a well lit street!

I set a date for 3 people I was interviewing to go to a yoga class and didn't check the schedule to confirm that there was a class. There wasn't... I had to take the 3 girls to a nearby bar to interview! #professional

A friend in New Jersey put pacifiers and nipples in boiling water to sanitize them, ran upstairs for one quick thing - got distracted and didn't remember until all the water was gone and they completely melted in the pot on the stove. All except the nipples, those didn't melt. Just 2 nipples in a pool of boiling plastic!

I woke up and fed my dog but never took her out for a walk. I didn't realize until I left for work what I had done.

A friend in Chicago put her car keys and phone in the refrigerator. Her husband found them a few hours later.

With 5 weeks left, I have a feeling I'll have more stories to share. Feel free to share this post with a hot mama or leave your stories in the comments section below. 

personal core values...

set goals that stem from what you value.

What is a core value? 

It's what gets you out of bed in the morning. It's what drives and motivates you. You wouldn't let anyone take this away from you. It's what makes you, YOU!

Generate a list of YOUR values.

Think about it for a few minutes. Write them down. Choose one to start with and ask yourself, "what is it about this that I value?" 

For example, I value finish lines. Why? A finish line for me represents going after something I wanted and achieving it. Crossing the finish line of a marathon is one of the greatest highs I've ever had in my life. I want everything I do to be done with as much sweat and determination as I put into running marathons.

Be sure everything you do, every action that you take, is in line with what you value.

If its not, stop doing it. If you value your health and want to lose weight, stop eating ice cream every night. If you want to reduce your risk of cancer, stop smoking. If you value love and you're in a relationship that's toxic, get out! If you value passion, ensure that you enjoy everything you do. If you value volunteering, get out their and volunteer! It's pretty simple once you know what you value.

Why is this relevant?

It is so easy to get caught up in everyday life. You'll blink and two weeks have past. I've found myself in a place where I wasn't really generating any results in my personal life. Sound familiar? I had goals written down but I wasn't doing anything about them. Getting reconnected with my values reminded me why I set them in the first place and re energized me to take action. Sometimes all we need is a sweet little reminder.

make this now...

Last week, I was on vacation with family and we ate dinner at a lovely little gem of a restaurant in Naples, Florida. I had an apple salad that just blew my mind! It's insanely simple and easy to recreate. Here is what you need:

1 Green Apple (make sure its chilled!)
A little bit of Manchego cheese (type of Spanish cheese)
Chives (optional but delicious)
Dash of EVOO ( Make your kitchen look fancy with this!)
Quick squeeze of lemon juice

Use a mandolin to shred the apple and the cheese. A mandolin will make your life 100 times easier! Check out this oneDon't have a mandolin? Use a knife and chop like matchsticks (see picture below.) Toss in a bowl with fresh chopped chives and the EVOO and lemon.

Plate up...eat up! Enjoy.

218 days...

I've been pregnant for 218 days... and last night sh*t got real.

Last week we attended childbirth class with a local doula and last night night we toured the hospital. That's right! We're having a baby in 9 weeks! Walking the halls of the hospital made it so real. This is happening.

It's such an exciting time. It's also pretty scary. We are venturing unknown waters. All we can do is prepare ourselves as best we can and know that everything will be OK, and probably better than OK.

My goal is to have an intervention free, natural hospital birth. No drugs, no epidural. This will be the absolute most physically and mentally challenging goal I'll probably ever take on... AND I'M SO EXCITED.

I'm getting a lot of advice that I should however, prepare for the worst case scenario, so that I'm not completely devastated if my vision of birth can't play out the way I plan. I get that and totally respect that. In the end I know that my doctor and my body will know what needs to happen to get her out safely but I'm stubborn...

I'm preparing for our baby's arrival in a similar way I prepare for marathons. I envision myself at the finish line. I plan for the BEST. I'm mediating daily, practicing prenatal yoga, holding squats and warriors twos for what feels like an absurd amount of time. I'm reading books on birth (see list below.) I'm talking about my fears with my husband and we're squashing them. I've even created my mantra for when I feel like quitting... "I am doing it."

Do you hold yourself back from going for your really big goals by preparing for the worst? Prepare for what you WANT. Don't hold back. GO FOR IT. If you fail at least then you will know did everything you could and you won't have regrets.

I'll be sure to report back in approximately 62 days and let you know how it all goes. I'm going for it!

Books I'm reading:

Natural Hospital Birth by Cynthia Gabriel

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HypnoBirthing by Marie F. Mongan

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Active Birth by Janet Balaskas

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The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Rhonda Wheeler

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living in the moment...

Questions I'm asked on a regular basis now...

1. How are you feeling?

2. Are you ready for the baby to arrive?

In response to how I'm feeling I cannot complain. (insert knock on wood) I've had a fairly easy, breezy, pregnancy so far. I'm actually enjoying it. I get excited reading information and I'm mentally and physically preparing for a natural birth.  I feel giddy when I feel her move and for the first time in my life I feel sexy naked. (Okay.. most of the time)

Am I ready for this little monkey to arrive? Yes. I'm pumped to meet her and get to know her. Who will she look like? What color will hair be? Will she be a quirky as I am? 

My excitement for her arrival is much different then how I've anticipated things in the past. It went a little like this...

In high school all I wanted was to be in college

In college all I wanted was a big girl job 

Then I couldn't wait to get engaged

Then I couldn't wait for the wedding 

Right now, I'm enjoying the present moment. Okay, maybe I wish it was fall for the cooler weather, but in general I really am happy to be taking life one day at a time.

Every second I spend with my husband is precious. It won't be just the two of us for much longer. It actually moves me to tears thinking about how every day for more than 9 years it has just been "Brett and Sam." I'm happy to report that we're growing closer every day.

Come November, it's no longer going to be just ME... It's going to be Marley and me. I'll be a new person. A new mother. My whole world is going to be rocked and I'll be ready for it but right now I'll continue to revel in all the little moments I have by myself.

I've been traveling... a lot! While pregnant I've been to El Paso, New York, Austin, St Thomas, Columbus, Dallas, Vancouver, and in a few weeks we will top it all off with a family vacation in Naples. When we get back from Florida we plan to rest, watch a lot of television, and prepare for Marley's arrival. We won't feel rushed or panicked. We'll be ready for her.

If you have the tendency to rush through life, or hell even your work week, stop and take a pause. We only get so many days here on Earth. Let's not wish them by quickly. Tomorrow will bring something new and exciting no doubt, but what can you discover about today?

living in the moments...

Mel and I sweating it out at Ride in Austin, TX

Mama Hal and I met up in NYC

#couplesretreat with the Searcys in St Thomas, USVI

Brett and I in Vancouver, BC

Em's wedding in El Paso, TX