Big News #2

More big news!  I don't know how much good, big news our family can take this year, but we are recognizing the blessings of God raining down on our little family right now.

First of all, Brad got a job offer!!!  We are so excited to start our new life in Canton, Ohio.  We came back East on faith and prayer, and the Lord has blessed us ten fold.

And more big news is #2... yep.  you guessed it--This little cutie is going to be a big sister!

Baby Neeley #2 is due May 28th!  We are so thrilled!

Big Changes

Well, we are here-- Beaver, PA.  In the basement of Brad's parents.  It was a rough start for us all, but I feel like we're beginning to settle into a groove.

Naomi LOVES her Nana, and Grandpa Neeley, and Great-Grandma Ruthe, and Aunt Sam. One day, Nana (my mother-in-law, Krsten) and I were gone for most of the day at a church activity.  When we got home, I came in through the front door-- Naomi got a big smile on her face and started walking towards me, until-- Nana walked in the side door form the garage, and Naomi squealed with delight looking back and forth between us, and then ran to Nana laughing.  Today, she wanted to sit with her Great-Grandma Ruthe at church the whole time.  It was so cute! 

Brad has an interview in Canton, Ohio tomorrow morning for a company that seems really incredible so far; it's called In The Round.  I've been very impressed with their high standards as a company.  I hope things go well, but mostly I hope that he comes away from the interview knowing what Heavenly Father would have us do.  We came here on faith that this is where the Lord wanted/needed us to be. We have seem many blessings from our decision so far, not just for us, but for many people here.  I know we are where we are supposed to be right now.

I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that the Spirit can guide us in major life decisions.  Including helping us to be at peace with choices that seem crazy sometimes.

Big News!

no.  i'm not pregnant.  just so that's clear.

We're moving to Pittsburgh! 

well, technically, it's Beaver, in Brad's parents' basement.

I realize this comes as a shock to many of our dear friends and maybe to some of our family also.  But after spending lots of time in here...

and lots of time on our knees, we know this is the right thing for us to do right now.  Maybe you have questions about why we're doing this now, but so do we.  We are putting our faith in God on this one and trusting His plan for us.  And when we figure out the answers, then maybe you will, too. 

So, in 8 days, we will be packing everything we still own into a truck and driving to our "new" home... in Brad's case, I guess it's his old home.  ;-)

I am just so thankful for the many things that have happened in my life that have given me the faith necessary to make this big change.  That I grew up in a military family that was constantly moving, and frequently living with extended family.

For my family that taught me that your address isn't home; but that home is where your family is and where you are loved. 

For those moments when God let me go into the unknown to learn that He is always holding my hand, or ready to catch me when I leap into unknown territory.  For the best in-laws a girl could ever have and a husband who doesn't think tell me I'm crazy when I tell him I think it'd be a good idea to pack up and move across the country when he doesn't have a job and we don't know how to pay rent the next month.

And for my munchkin, who gives me that Mom Courage, to do anything and everything necessary to give her the best in life. 

I am so blessed, and excited for this next chapter in our lives.


goodbye, provo! 
Hello, Pittsburgh!

5 Generations

This weekend, I had the pleasure of being with 5 generations!

Norma Smith (my great-grandma) holding Charlotte Naomi (my daughter), Linda Smith (my grandma), Charlotte Lynn (my mommy), and Charlotte Marie (me).

More Summer Pool Time Fun

We have a little kiddy pool that we like to get out on hot days when we don't go to the water park.  Lots of fun!

that's my cute little munchkin!

playing with daddy

 mid-fall

Sales Shopping Win!

I need a dress for my uncle's wedding on July 30th.  So I participated in a couple research studies to get some personal spending money and get a new dress.  I originally thought I would end up using most of my money on 1 nice dress that I really REALLY liked, and maybe a couple accessories or new shoes if I got a good deal.  But then, this weekend, Brad took me shopping for said new dress-- and I ended up getting 4 new dresses and a skirt.  Here's the loot.

From: Dressbarn
Original Price: $39.99
I paid: $34.28
Savings:  $5.71 or 14.3%

From: Dressbarn
Original Price: $59.99
I paid: $21.84
Savings: $38.15 or 63.6%

From: Mikarose
Original Price: $36.99
I paid: $15.99
I saved: $21 or 56.77%

From: JC Penny's
Original Price: $80
I paid: $15.97
Savings: $64.03 or 80%

From: Macy's
Original price: $59
I paid: $17.70
Savings: $41.30 or 70%

I love my new clothes!  Losing weight can be expensive-- but these beautiful new clothes and my self-confidence, energy, and awesome body are worth that and more.  Especially when I can get new clothes at such awesome deals!

Summer Time; Pool Time!

so, this is from last month...

We bought a Pass of All Passes this summer, and the Munchkin and I have been making great use of it!  We've gone to Seven Peaks Water Park 3 times this week!  Munchkin LOVES the water!  As soon as she gets in, she throws her arms forward and her feet back, and she starts to kick and move her arms.

Plus, the water park is about 2 miles away and walking there and back gets me a decent workout.  I'm less than 3 lbs away from my first major weight loss goal, and going to the water park is going to help me reach that goal before the end of the month!

since this is from last month... I'm glad to announce that I have since surpassed my first major weight loss goal-- to be under 200 lbs.   :-)

Put One Foot in Front of the Other!

And very soon, Munchkin will be walking out the door!

Here's a peak at the munchkin's first steps!

Father's Day!

ok, so Father's Day was over a week ago... but I still wanted to share what our little family did to celebrate!

Naomi and I each got Brad a card--

And some See's candy and chocolate covered cinnamon bears-- Brad will testify that "boys like getting chocolate on their special days, too!"

And I made (yes, made) Brad a tie-- with Penguins on it!

Part of Brad's chocolate was an Awesome Bar (peanut brittle dipped in chocolate) from See's that Naomi seems to think is hers.

Happy Father's Day, Brad!

Non-Scale Victory!

 I got a huge metaphorical pat on the back this morning for the efforts I've been putting into trying to be healthier.  Back in March, I started going to this place on BYU's campus called Y-Be-Fit.  They measured tons of stuff-- cholesterol, body composition, weight, bmi, strength (upper body, lower body, and core), and VO2max.  In July, I will get to repeat all of the tests to see my improvement in each of those areas.

But today, I participated in a research study, and one part of it measured my body composition using a BodPod.  It's accurate at measuring body fat %age within 1-2%; they even use it on The Biggest Loser to measure contestants' body fat %age (even thought that's not the measure used in competition).  I pulled out my results from March's BodPod test, and compared.  My body fat %age dropped 7%age points!!!  And, even better-- my "fat free mass" (which is basically everything except fat) increased! 
*(I should also recognize that I was breastfeeding Naomi when I took the first BodPod test, and now she is fully weened.  The test administrator said that breastfeeding can inflate the body fat %age by up to 2%.  Even if that's true, I still went down 5%, and that's still awesome!)

Score!  It's a HUGE deal for me.  It proves that I'm doing this the healthy way; I'm doing it right.  I'm losing fat weight and gaining lean body mass.  I'm getting healthier everyday and I feel amazing.  I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for answering my prayers to guide me to make healthy decisions, learn more about how to be healthy, and have the strength to make the right choices.  Also, my wonderful husband has been very supportive of my efforts and choices; he even tries the new foods I buy.  And thanks for all the support from friends and family-- there have been lots of times when I've hit a rough patch and feel like I'm struggling when one of you will notice and comment on how much I've improved and it really gives me the boost I need to keep going strong.