Nom Nom Nom...

When you're craving chocolate....make a shake instead! Resist the temptation to gorge your face with brownies and chocolate. That's what I've been doing lately-and boy is it tough. There is a box of brownie mix in the cupboard that has been sssshouting my name!

To make:

1 handful of frozen berries
1 cup of vanilla soy milk
1 cup of pomegranate juice
1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
1/2 a ba-n-a-n-a!

It's heaven. I promise you, It will quench all of your chocolate desires...It reminds me of raspberry chocolate frappes at Star Bucks. It's that good. Just eye ball it though. Ingredients don't have to be exact.

ALSO I made a salad today that My husband actually liked...it had blue berries, strawberries, oranges, candied walnuts, apples, spinach and strawberry vinaigrette dressing. I was gasping as he munched away telling me how amazing of a salad maker I am.

And did you really think I could LIVE without fattening,

delicious, a-mazingly delicious chicken parm? As IF! So good.

Secrets:

I need another story
Something to get off my chest
My life gets kinda boring
Need something that I can confess
Til' all my sleeves are stained red
From all the truth that I've said
Come by it honestly I swear
Thought you saw wink, no
I've been on the brink, so

Tell me what you want to hear
Something that were like those years
Sick of all the insincere
So I'm gonna give all my secrets away
This time, don't need another perfect line
Don't care if critics never jump in line
I'm gonna give all my secrets away

My god, amazing how we got this far
It's like we're chasing all those stars
Who's driving shiny big black cars
And everyday I see the news
All the problems that we could solve
And when a situation rises
Just write it into an album
Singing straight, too cold
I don't really like my flow, no, so

Tell me what you want to hear
Something that were like those years
Sick of all the insincere
So I'm gonna give all my secrets away
This time, don't need another perfect line
Don't care if critics never jump in line
I'm gonna give all my secrets away

Oh, got no reason, got not shame
Got no family I can blame
Just don't let me disappear
I'mma tell you everything

So tell me what you want to hear
Something that were like those years
Sick of all the insincere
So I'm gonna give all my secrets away
This time, don't need another perfect line
Don't care if critics never jump in line
I'm gonna give all my secrets away

So tell me what you want to hear
Something that were like those years
Sick of all the insincere
So I'm gonna give all my secrets away
This time, don't need another perfect line
Don't care if critics never jump in line
I'm gonna give all my secrets away
All my secrets away, All my secrets away

This song has been on repeat over and over

on my ipod when I run lately.

The video is amazing as well

Weekly Surf:

We're throwing down tarps and getting high this weekend! {When I say high, I mean, we're painting which could lead to a seriously psychedelic time at the Robbins house....but probably not.} I'm excited to finally have some color in my office, living room and bathroom! Then we're going to go check out the clearance section at the furniture store and see if there are any gems {when I say gems, I mean, a super-awesome couch for cheap...but I'm not holding my breath!....} Other than that, we played "Come find us!" with Dustin when he got home last night leaving a note on the coffee table. This is where we were:

We're pretty sneaky!

DIY shower curtain ring necklace

headbands for Haiti

check back soon-more being made

vintage bots baby blankie.

sweet knitted things @ Jessica's etsy shop

Nibbs, You're adorable. Conrad needs you!

can short-er girls wear thigh high boots?

on the topic of boots....

Dustin loves these boots, he just doesn't know it yet

If money grew on trees,

I would buy one of these sofas {for sure}

For now, I'll just drool over my dream couch:

This photo gives me inspiration for what to do with that

bare wall in our room.

{Ten Months}

Alot happened in month ten: month ten!

You crawled:

You shared your banana with grandpa, and ate / destroyed sushi!

You happily munched on pirates booty! Arg!

You hung out with Mama at church:

You'd rather not be bothered while enjoying your snack:

this expression says,"What? You got somethin' to say?"

You stood assisted while playing,

and stood un-assisted while snacking & drooling:

You played on your window seat on rainy days:

With every month, you seem to bring us more joy.

I can't believe you're going to be one in 2 months! Wowza!

Love You bubba lu.

movies movies movies!

My favorite part of going to the movies isn't watching the actual movie, it's watching the previews. After each preview Dustin and I look at each other and give our review of the trailers. Usually, with the gooey chick flicks, I'll say "That's crap!" meaning, I'm totally not going to see that!

But...

Every time this movie preview comes on, I stop whatever I'm saying and watch it with goose bumps on my arms and getting chocked up every time.

I'm really excited to see this movie if you can't tell... Dustin was surprised I was so interested in seeing this movie as I usually would prefer "The Departed" over "The Devil Wears Prada"

kind of films.

I also can't wait to see this movie, although I'm betting it's crap. (I need Rob Pats to please convince me he's a decent actor. We've turned off two of his movies recently without finishing them- So please Robert Pattenson, I want to believe you're a great actor, so don't disappoint with "Remember Me")

anyway.

(Someone told me last week that I looked just like Amanda Seyfried. I don't see it.)

Reconnect

{His reflection in the hotel window

Vegas lights as the backdrop.

That handsome man turns me into a pool of goo.}

This weekend we spent the night, (well most of the night, I'll get to that in a minute) at THE Hotel at Mandalay Bay, thanks to our buddy Matt. We ate at Lupo, which was a-mazing. We did lots of people watching and jaw dropping as the scantily-clad ladies of Vegas carefully skimped by in their heels. It was almost a game to see who could spot the girl wearing a shorter skirt. Even the people next to us were playing. But more than the hookers in Vegas walking by as we ate, it was rejuvenating to catch up, reconnect, and pick my husbands brain over dinner. Afterwards we went back to our room on the 63rd floor, which was beautiful, and continued enjoying each others company in our fuzzy white hotel robes! {I contemplated "treating" myself to one but under the guilt of my husbands convicting conscience, I was told we would have to pay for it, and you don't need it, so take it out of your purse!"}

We ate spicy Cheetos in bed and watched SNL. The neighbors were blaring Kanye right around 2am, right as we were trying to doze off. So instead of inviting ourselves over to party the night away, we packed our crap and headed home to be in our own bed. Plus, I fear my OCD has rubbed off on my husband. The man who used to clean his sheets every 6 months is now particular about sheet quality and cleanliness. As we were leaving, he's all "I just really love our bed..." We had every intention of staying, but even though we didn't, It was wonderful being able to take advantage of the monster size jacuzzi (that shot water in my face unexpectedly when I turned it on. Apparently, the tub has to be filled up before you turn on the jets...) anyway. Spending time together goofing off and dressing up, hooker watching, and talking was such a treat.

{Heres me, sadly leaving the hotel at 3 am in my jammies}

{Here is Dustin, Happily leaving our hotel at 3 am.

He was way too dignified to wear his Jammies...}

Give-a-way Winner:

and the winner is.......

Vicki

thanks to everyone who participated!

Have a wonderful weekend

Praying for Haiti

Every week I post a weekly post of links I've found interesting thought the week, or just fun things I see, like cute shoes etc. This week though, as my heart has ached each morning watching the news, seeing such heart wrenching photos of those burying their loved ones after the horrendous earthquake in Haiti, I am humbled, saddened and in awe. It's hard to really articulate how this has rocked me. My face has been wet all week-prayers on my tongue all week. I'm in shock.

I don't have cute shoes on my mind this week....

Psalm 18:6

In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help.

From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

I know my God is big. I know he's wrapping his arms around those who are mourning, those who are crying out, those who are sick, those who are dying- He's just that kind of guy. His love is enormous. This is my prayer today: That the people of Haiti would be comforted as the God of the universe cries along with them in this great loss.

Haitian woman told her story today on the Today Show. She was down the street from her house, watching homes falling around her, and racing back to her home where her 3 children were trapped under rubble. She could hear their cries from under the rubble. They were screaming, "Mama! Mama! We're not dead! Get us out!" With great gratitude on her face, she said "I realize now, God loves me." Every one's experience will be different of course, But I couldn't help but praise God in that moment thinking "You.are.awesome.God!!"

I Maybe now that I am a mother, I see the world with different eyes, maybe that's why this story sticks out more than the others. My heart feels like a piece of dried mud being crumbled between a thumb and pointer finger. I was telling Dustin today that if we're not doing as much as we can to help these people, than I would feel like a big jerk. His company is going to match whatever the employees donate and send it to the Red Cross.

Their needs are so big.

Donate here or here

Job 5:11

he sets on high those who are lowly,

and those who mourn are lifted to safety.

Resistance

I was going to post the photo of me the day before I delivered so you could see the fattest I've ever been. It's me, on the couch, using my belly as a table, eating pineapple, cellulite dimples all down my leg- you would have been really turned on, so Dustin vetoed the posting of the picture.

Happy and plump at 37 weeks....

A far cry from a few years back when

I worked out everyday and ate healthy!

I've never been the type to "diet" except for when I was getting ready for my wedding...and I was really pleased with the hard work I put in to get there. I think diets are stupid. You eat great for a while, lose the weight and then go back to your garbage eating ways....but I never have had care what I put in my body. I could eat whatever I wanted and It wouldn't make a difference. Here's a great example of me doing that very thing:

I've never had to fight my way back to a "previous" weight, and I've never had to resist food. But with the last 15lbs. to get rid of, I realize now that I can't continue in this unhealthy mindset of eating if I don't drastically change the way in which I relate to food and my body. And I SWEAR these last few L.B.'s are sticking to my thighs like it's their friggin' life's mission.

It's actually quite irritating!

The last few weeks I've been on a diet. "Diet" is such a stupid word....really, I've just been saying "NO" to foods I would have otherwise said "YES" to. I'm saying no to wine, condiments, brownies, coffee creamer, UN-healthy snacking, Mexican food, things covered in grease, things oozing with chocolate, OK i need to stop right now. Describing these things is only making me want them more! It's really a change in life style. I can't just eat right for a season. I have to make good choices with what I eat, to instill healthy eating habits for my son.

He won't want to eat green beans if he never sees me eat them.

My whole vision is just being more conscious of what I'm putting into my body. Instead of a breakfast burrito, I'm having egg whites with a protein shake. Instead of an extra helping of pasta, I'm having an extra helping of broccoli. Instead of munching on chips, I'm munching on raw bell peppers (they're so watery and crunchy!) This hasn't been as easy for me as I thought it would. I don't like the idea of withholding yummy things from myself. Food is such a huge pleasure for me. But I realized that I have been eating the wrong way. I was eating portions that were too large, and I was mindlessly snacking all day long. There was really no rhyme or reason to my eating habits. If i wanted it, I had it.

I'm finding now that what I put into my body is what I will get out of it.

I was talking to another mom once about after baby weight loss, and telling her how I wanted to get back to where I was before baby, and feel cute in my old clothes. She told me that it should be OK if i never wear my old jeans again because "I'm a mom now". I disagree. I was once super fit and healthy. I don't see why us mom's have to settle for after baby bodies. I know a mom who has 2 kids and her body is hotter than before she had her babies! It can be done!

Dustin's hair isn't as fluffy as it used to be...

as for my abs these days, they're pretty fluffy.

Yesterday I had a Dr's appointment with the doc who delivered Conrad. She told me that at my first Dr's appointment when I was 12 weeks pregnant, I was 124 lbs...and that's about where I am now. It's really not about a certain weight as much as it is about feeling more confident in my skin. Feeling strong, being healthy for my son and husband, having more endurance, making goals for myself and seeing them through. That's the whole idea with my New Years resolution.

Running with the girls and getting a lot of good advice from them has really helped with my training. I have been really encouraged by their drive and focus. I'm having to discipline myself to eat right and sleep-which has been the hardest part for me-going to bed at a decent hour! With only being half way finished with my last twilight book and all.... (I know someones going to rebuke me for that) It's hard to put it down and go to sleep so I can be rested for my runs.

It's a process. Getting healthy and in shape. It takes time. I'll get there.

Give-a-way!

To celebrate my obsession with headbands & hair pretties,

I am giving away a really fun & unique one this week.

This is one I would actually wear myself,

clipped next to a low-messy bun!

You can never have enough hair accessories!

(Or one I would give to Tracy since she loves headbands...kidding)

I love the pop of mustard yellow and brown with the cute button in the middle!

It was crafted by this lovely lady-and you can also find

other amazing treasures in her etsy shop!

{ I was going to have Conrad model it for your

viewing pleasure but Dustin said no...

I really think he would have been a pretty girl. Just sayin'}

So here it is:

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment

telling me what your goal or new years resolution is for twenty ten

or just what you're looking forward to this year.

The winner will be chosen at random on January 16th

Making a house a HOME!

I finally figured out what color I want to paint the office

(after countless trips to Lows to find the right paint! UGH!)

I'm sort of basing the whole room around these photos:

and these curtains: that match the pillow in Bobbie's house,

which is where she shot the photos above.

(How lucky to find the exact pattern of the pillow in curtains!!!)

and this room has affirmed the color for me as well.

The color in the room matches the teal in the curtains,

which match the pillow in the photos of Conrad...Perfection!

Everything else in the room is black and white,

so I think it will clash really nicely.

If everything were too matchy-matchy,

it would be boring!

Plus, I think the teal goes with the knobs on my desk.

Win win situation!

I originally wanted to paint the room mustard yellow,

but the curtains are mustard...so that doesn't work.

I'm determined to paint something mustard!

Stay tuned!

More Important things:

I haven't had much time for reading the

last installment of the series

since I've been reading more important things,

and being oh....I don't know, A MOM! {And wife}

This made me laugh today. A little treat

for all of you Twilight-ers.

Enjoy-and have a pleasant weekend!

This Week:

we did a lot of laying around this week

and a lot of watching Ellen this week

and a lot of late night tv this week....

because,

we've got a sick little night owl

on our hands:

When he falls on his butt, we clap, and the he laughs.

It makes my day!

waiting for Dad to pop up and scare him

Crawling as fast as he can off the bed!

Getting tickled.

I was only going to pick just one of these pictures, but couldn't.

Conrad had a bit of a stomach bug and ear infection this week, which meant, I got thrown up on 3 out of 4 days! He's now on antibiotics which have started to help. I had the prescription but didn't want to fill it. The doctor was going to check on his ear 2 days after our appointment to see if it had gotten better or worse and then I would give the antibiotics. She said it's better to see if it will just run it's course instead of jumping on the antibiotics right away. I have the best doc in the world. I love her. Anyway. So after 2 nights of our son staying up past midnight, uncomfortable and hitting his ear, I said "ENOUGH!" and he's on the meds now, and much happier! That was my week! Cleaning barf out of the carpet, the bathroom rugs, blankets, my clothes, his hair etc. You get the point!

I've also ran everyday this week. Tomorrow is my rest day, and then Saturday morning I'm running with the ladies! I'm thinking of ideas to Bedazzle our shirts for the day of the race....8 weeks baby! 8 weeks!

Get your surf on!

Heres proof I'm not the only one in this world

who finds furniture on the curb and puts it in my house!

They do exist! And they find amazing furniture! So there!

Dumpster divers, and curb swipers unite!

pirate posters. You know, for that little pirate in your life!

the latest on my photo blog

this song is quickly making it's way

to the #1 spot on my running play list!

a bride whose guests sat on blankets, picnic style

for her wedding ceremony! So cute!

I begged Dustin to make this for dinner tomorrow.

I'm craving carbs and fat!

The most amazing wedding video I've ever seen

Have a blessed weekend friends!

Weekly Surf:

This has been a really eventful, busy week for me.

Here's a little taste of what I've been working on... for the photo blog.

I got to photograph these lovelies. Which made me incredibly happy.

Other than that, I can't feel the bottom half of my body....I don't believe in new years resolutions. I've never made one, ever. But this year, I decided not to make a resolution, but to make a promise that I'd finally run a half marathon. I have no excuse this time. My husband is home at a decent hour now, I'm no longer breast feeding, I'm as happy as a clam and this time, I have other ladies who are training and running it with me, which will be super fun.

AND my husband loves me so much, he threw away my giant bag of M&M's the other night! He's such a motivation! He came home from work tonight, gave the baby a bath, put him to bed and got dinner started while I went for a run! Such an encouragement.

I can actually go have a life and run!

{Praise the Lord!}

Get your surf on:

We could hold hands while wearing the same glove

...that would be nice

these purple peep toe boots are calling my name.

"Damn you purple boots! Damn you! Don't you know I'm broke!

Pipe down! Stop haggling me, purple boots!"

This IS happiness!

29 photos of San Fransisco

Have a party to throw? Go get you some cute stuff for it here.

my new favorite songs to run to here & here

Just signed up to run this race

wish me luck!

The Big Picture {part 3}

It's hard to have a favorite.

They're all so heartbreaking and beautiful

Check back real soon.

I'm giving a way a super cute head band in a few days...

Have a great week!

This weekend:

We threw my Mom a surprise 50th birthday bash:

She was really surprised!

Gran wore a really cute sweater, and we posed for a picture!

Mom, me and Vinni

Mom being a goof-ball.

We rang in the new year by eating Thai takeout,

{listening to the New Moon soundtrack for the millionth time}

and playing Scrabble with our friends

Adam & Sarah:

I changed all of our names to Twilight names. That way, we would play better.

Sarah and I came up with some really good words.

And, Conrad threw up all over grandma and grandpa for the first time while they were babysitting, which is why we had to leave my mom's birthday bash early and rescue him.

He's a trooper!