my husband's ridiculous metabolism

Ten months ago, I had a baby.  I spent my pregnancy vomiting daily and feeling basically awful.  As soon as I delivered Nicole, I felt like I had been cured from some life-threatening illness.  The doctors and nurses at the hospital kept commenting on how quickly I recovered and seemed fine almost immediately after giving birth.  My demeanor changed within days and I was back to my normal, happy self.  (I think I am really grouchy when pregnant but I don't really want an honest answer from my husband, so I don't ask...).

Six weeks post-partum, (ok fine five weeks), I decided that I was ready to get back to normal and start working out again.  Did I start out with something easy and work my way up?  No, I started with Insanity.  Insanity is a very (very) intense set of workout videos that literally melted the fat off my body and built muscles that I have not ever seen on myself before.  I completed the Insanity workout once with my sister over the summer (it's a nine-week program), then Jillian Michael's 30-day Shred (which was cake compared to Insanity), then I did Insanity again (much easier the second time around) before my husband came home from his deployment.  (Oh and did I mention that I was solo parenting the whole time?).

In the course of all this exercising (and eating healthy veggies from my garden), I got to the point that I was very happy with the way I looked, and actually needed to buy new clothes since I fit back into my high-school sized pants.  I got some great new jeans, boots (I love boots!) sweaters, etc.

Next, I decided to try a kick-boxing workout.  I purchased Les Mills Combat for myself for Christmas.  This is also a 90-day program and I am nearing the end.  These workouts have really changed the shape of my arms with all the punching, and improved my balance with the kicks.

I have gotten so many comments from people about how great I look, and two of them have purchased Insanity because of me!  I was recently asked to lead a group exercise for Relief Society activity despite my lack of leadership experience.

This year, I am growing a garden again and have made a habit of exercise so I don't even shower or get dressed until I have done my daily workout.

Now we come to the ridiculous metabolism of said husband.  While he was gone, I had nobody around to cook for, except my 4-year-old.  I had quit buying most of the pre-packaged foods that he enjoys.  He can eat basically anything and unless he eats every 3-4 hours, will LOSE weight.  I have had to re-learn how to say no to the late-night snacks and instead drink a glass of water while he enjoys his Oreos, Milka bar, bagel with cream cheese, or nachos.

Our older daughter seems to have inherited his metabolism also.  Good for her!

New Years Resolutions

My resolutions for the year:

exercise 4-5 days per week (I am currently doing the Les Mills Combat program)
read scriptures daily
spend at least one hour per day playing with my children
find one opportunity a week to serve someone
blog once a month

My resolutions are specific and accountable.  I have found that I do better and am more motivated with a schedule and goals.

Yay 2013!

We have a 4-year-old in the house!

What can I say about my Ally?  I used to think that parents had a little more control over how their children turn out but she definitely has her own personality.
She likes pink but not girly things.  When she gets dressed in the morning, she likes to pick clothes that are all the same color, and soft.  She loves playing with cars and birds.  She loves her gymnastics class and Primary teacher.  She is a great big sister and can get Nicole to laugh anytime.  She still won't eat meat.  She is a total daddy's girl, so this year has been rough for her with him gone so long (he should be home in December).
I tried so hard to get her into a preschool here, with no luck.  She is way beyond kids her age academically, but needs more social interaction.  For example, she reads chapter books but is not very good at taking turns with other children.
She uses really big words, counts to 100, does simple math, writes her name, and can type out messages to her dad on my phone (such as I love you and Want to Skype?).
I started giving her chores; she puts away her laundry and sets the table.

Accomplishments

Ok I had a really down day recently, so I decided to list some of my accomplishments that make me proud of myself.
1. finishing my bachelor's degree
2. planting and growing my own garden
3. building furniture
4. filling my pantry with healthy, home-canned food
5. finishing Insanity (the workout) and losing all the baby weight, plus some, in 4 months.
6. being on time wherever I go
7. reading books to my children every day
8. keeping my house in order (except for one room!)
9. not giving away my dogs although it would make my life easier
10. making friends, and keeping in touch with them despite moving around the world

Yay!  I feel better already.

Trier

The oldest city in Germany, Trier has a lot of Roman ruins.  This is the Porta Nigra, the only one left of seven gates that used to surround the city.  

This street performer was literally floating off the ground.  I think his staff had some kind of support system built into it, but I was still impressed.

The beautiful gardens at the palace.

A replica of the foot, part of a statue.

Roman baths

ampitheater.  People were actually setting up for a concert that would be held there later in the day.  The acoustics in that place are great for events.  They also hold 'Gladiator school', which was going on the last time I visited.  

St. Peter's cathedral, where the robe of Christ is kept.

The fabulous carvings on the ceiling in the dome.  The amount of work that went into this cathedral is astounding.

Vianen, Luxembourg

Despite the lack of baby passport, last weekend we decided to leave the country.  This isn't as big of a deal as it sounds, since most countries here have open borders.  We drove to Luxembourg to visit a castle:

Apparently there was a festival going on so we had to park pretty far away.  We rode a cable car (ski lift) up the mountain.

Cute little town of Vianen

The castle from above.

There were all sorts of vendors, many dressed in authentic clothing.  Lots of souvenirs to buy (we didn't) and lots of shows to watch, including jousting and hunting with birds.  Ally realized her lifetime dream of holding a bird (for a small fee).  The castle was very crowded and had a lot going on.  Very cool to see a medieval festival.  I though the little wooden swords for kids were very cute.