settling in

Well, we've been away from PA for about 3 weeks now.   We spent the first week in Vermont on vacation.  That was wonderful.  The kids loved the pool.  Andrew loved the waterslide the most.  We explored in the woods.  We ate lots of delicious food.  And we got to spend a lot of time with cousins we don't get to see very often because they live all the way across the country in Olympia, WA.  It was all around great. 

Outside the condo in VT

We've been in CT for two weeks now.  It's been an interesting transition.  We are staying with family until we can sell or rent our house in PA.  We get along okay, but it's hard to mesh the routines of both families.  I'm sure we'll get into a rhythm eventually.  Even better, cross your fingers we can either sell our house or find a renter so we can find some space to ourselves soon. 

Our new beach.  10 mins away!

I'm still waiting on Pennsylvania to approve my teaching certificate.  I can't apply for a CT certification until I get that.  Ugh.  So it looks like I won't be able even apply for a full time teaching job this year.  It's beyond frustrating that it takes four months for the state to review my application.  I completed it the last week in April and now it's August.  In the meantime, I'm applying for some substitute jobs and hoping that maybe it'll be my foot in the door at a few schools. 

Playground is a 5 min walk!

I joined the gym here.  It's certainly no Rocky Run YMCA, but it's not bad.  Plus, its MUCH cheaper than anywhere in PA.  It's only $20 a month.  And that includes everything.  The group classes aren't as good as the ones at my old gym, but they aren't bad.  I went to an AMAZING spinning class this morning.  I'll definitely be going again next Sunday.  I do miss Body Pump and IndoRow though.  ::Sigh::

Almost too big for the baby swing

That's my little update for now.  I'll try to get on and blog again soon.  Also, I'm *thisclose* to hitting a big milestone as far as weight loss, but I'm hesitant to blog about it until it actually happens.  I'm crossing my fingers that it'll happen this Thursday during my weekly weigh in.  Hope all is well friends!

Goodbye PA, Hello CT.

I'll keep this short and sweet.

We leave PA tomorrow.  It's truly bittersweet.  I can't think of any other way to describe it.  I'm not a crier, but I've cried more in the past 3 days than I have in the past year.

One thing I've learned in the past three days is that the people I know down here in PA have touched me deeply.  Otherwise, this wouldn't be so sad.  We've built our own little family down here and it's painful to have to say goodbye to them.

I'll keep up with the blog in CT once we get settled.  I can't wait to spend more time with my family and my friends up north, but right now, it's all about enjoying our last few hours here.  It's about stopping and thinking about all the amazing things that we've done down here.

Starting a family.

Buying our first house.

Meeting amazing people who we'll forever be grateful for.

I am so incredibly sad to say goodbye to this place.  It's going to hurt to turn my back and leave.  But sometimes, we just have to.  We have to move on.  It's time.  I'm ready for a change.  I can't wait to see where this new adventure takes us.

Top Ten reasons I'm excited to move back to CT

Family

Our number one influence in making this move is family.  It's always been our goal to someday move back to CT.  John and I both grew up with close families.  We want our kids to be able to have close relationships with their grandparents, aunts and uncles just like we did.  I'm looking forward to holidays that don't involve packing and travel, random family dinners on a Wednesday night and many shopping trips with my Mom.  

Extended Family

Both John and I have a slew of cousins.  Many of which  have recently married and started families of their own.  I can't wait for my children to have family friends who are their age.  It makes Christmas celebrations so much more exciting to see cousins running around and having a great time.  I'm looking forward to strengthening friendships we already have with our cousins and having our children make those bonds as well.

Friends

Recently, I took a trip to Key West with some friends from high school.  That trip reminded me I have so many good friends in CT.  It's so nice to already have friendships in place before we even move.  I'm really looking forward to rekindling these relationships.  Even more so, I'm excited for my kids to be gaining a whole new set of "aunts" and "uncles" who care deeply about them. 

Vazzy's

Oh Vazzy's, how I love you.  It started as just a little restaurant on the Bridgeport/Stratford line, and now there are a bunch of them in the area.  They never disappoint no matter what I order.  Every time we visit CT we always order from Vazzy's at least one time.  Their pizza is great but my two favorite things to order are Pasta San Diego and a Misto salad...extra Gorgonzola. 

Company

I don't mean, "company's coming over for dinner."  It's more like, I feel like loneliness will be less common.  It can get pretty lonely as a SAHM (stay at home mom).  Sure I have great friends and neighbors down here in PA, but there are often days where I long for more adult interaction.  Having my in-laws, sister-in-law, Mom and Dad only seconds away at all times makes me happy.

New jobs

John's starting a great new job and at some point I will too.  I'm going to apply to teaching jobs this year, but the chances of me landing something full time are slim.  There just aren't enough jobs to go around unfortunately.   The prospect makes me happy though.  If I can just find something within a school this year it'd be a huge accomplishment.  And if not, then it's okay.  I'll get there eventually.

Settling

Unless someone offers me a 6-figure job sitting on the beach in Hawaii, I'm pretty sure we aren't going to move anywhere other than CT ever again.  Connecticut is where we want to raise our kids.  It's where we want to buy a forever home.  It's comforting to know we are making the first big step in permanently settling where we've always wanted to be.


Drive Thru Dunkin Donuts

There aren't any down here by me.  Enough said.

Beach

(Yes, this is an actual picture of the beach by where we'll be!)

Connecticut beaches aren't exactly Honolulu, but they'll do.  You take for granted a beach when you grow up close to one.  Then, when you move away from the beach you realize what an awesome thing it is.  The kids and I will be spending many days this August playing in the sand.  It's only a 10 to 15 minute drive from home and they are FREE!

Top Ten things I'll miss about PA

Wawa

If you live in the greater Philadephia area you know Wawa and you know it well.  What other place on earth can you order a "Gobbler?"  Better yet, order an italian hoagie with no human contact at all and have it waiting for you after you pay. (I LOVE TOUCHSCREEN ORDERING....YELLING!)  Wawa is a legend all on it's own.  And don't even start to say, "Don't worry, CT has 7-11's."  If you think 7-11 even comes remotely close to Wawa's amazingness you clearly have never had the pleasure of shopping at one.  Wawa, my friend, I will miss you.


Chick-fil-a

For the longest time, I never bothered with Chickfila.  We had one at the University of Delaware and it was gross.  Clearly, you should not judge a fast food joint based on the one in your college's cafeteria.  We only started going after we moved out to Delaware County and I was automatically sad that we hadn't enjoyed it sooner.  First of all, it's fast food, but it's always fresh.  They offer great healthy options if you don't want all the fried nonsense.  And, their kids play area's are clean, sanitary and well maintained.  The McDonalds playland just does not compare.  (Confession: We had lunch their today.  The kids had grilled nuggets, fruit and fries and I had a salad with grilled chicken.)



My neighborhood
When we bought out house, we had no idea what the demographic of the neighborhood was.  But, we loved the house and the price was right so we signed on the dotted line.  The friends and neighbors we inherited when we moved in should cause our houses value to rise by about $100,000. (Can you list that on Zillow?)  We've had cookouts and parties.  We've laughed and cried.  We've helped each other during difficult times.  I really feel like living here and gaining the support of my neighbors has made me a better person and a better mother.  Ok, I'm going to stop b/c I'm getting a little teary-eyed.


My friends
Of course we have a lot of friends who live outside out neighborhood.  College friends, work friends, internet message board friends.  (Don't judge me on the latter, I've met them, they are real people and not creepy middle aged-men in their basements.) We've built a family and a support system throughout our 8 years here.  These are lifetime friends and while I know distance can cause friendships to weaken, I really believe that these won't.  Thank you all, you know who you are.


The YMCA
Have you ever seen a YMCA in Southwestern PA?  If you haven't, you're missing out.  Here are a few pictures to give you an idea:

This is the Y where I am moving:

 Need I go on?




Soccer
I don't even know where to begin with this one.  The Tri-County Women's Soccer League where I've played for the last 8 years is great.  And, the women who play are even more incredible.  Playing this sport has helped me to get through one of the most difficult times in my life.  It has helped to keep me healthy and fit.  And more important than anything, I've been able to forge some great friendships with my teammates.  The thought of not playing next season truly saddens me.  I only hope I can find something that remotely compares to how great the women's soccer programs are out here. 


Philadelphia
Even though we moved out of Philadelphia and into the suburbs about 3 years ago, we still are incredibly spoiled to have a big city close by.  Once we are in Connecticut, we'll have NYC about an hour and a half away, but it won't be the same as our 20 minute drive into Philly.  Additionally, I feel like I really know this city.  I can get you anywhere you need to go in Center City without too much trouble.  And, while I love New York City, Philly is just different.  It's more laid back, less serious and in my opinion more inviting.  


Restaurants
I haven't been to an Applebee's or Outback Steakhouse in a few years.  Our main stays here are Iron Hill Brewery and Nooddi's Thai Chef.  I worry that we won't have the abundance of amazing restaurants to choose from back in CT.  Here, if you want Morimoto Sushi on a Tuesday night, you drive 30 minutes into West Philadelphia and you can have it.  Need a cheesesteak at 4am? No problem!  Which brings me to my next topic...


Beer
I will miss the beer.  There are so many amazing microbrews down here that I might go into shock not having as much choice in CT.  Also, Philadelphia Brewing Company has done so much and been so wonderful to John and my family that I will certainly miss being a part of their family.




My home
I'm really sad about leaving our house.  This was our first real home and this is the only home my kids know.  I'll be sad to box it all up and load it into a truck.  We have so many great memories here.  It's going to be really tough.


At least there is a Rita's in CT.....

Thursday Weigh-in

I've been competing in a weight loss challenge with some girlfriends.  Thursday is our weigh-in day.  The first two weeks I GAINED weight.  Ugh.  This week, I really focused on making healthier meal decisions and clearly it made a big difference!  I lost 2 lbs this week!

Here are my stats:
Start weight: 155lbs (on Jan. 1st, 2012)
Current weight: 144lbs (June 21st, 2012)
Goal weight: 135lbs (shooting for Sept. 1st)
BMI: 27.2 
Pant size: 10 or sometimes 8
Shirt size: Medium

That means I've lost 11lbs since I started this blog.  Better yet, I'm only 9lbs away from my goal weight.  Ultimately, I'd like to be closer to 125lbs, but I'm taking baby steps.  If I can make it to 135lbs, that'll be my weight BEFORE Grace.  125lbs is closer to my weight prior to having Andrew.

It's so nice to finally start seeing some direct results from my actions!  Today is a good day.  :)

Simple tasty breakfast

One of my new loves is almond milk.  Almond milk contains no lactose or cholestorol and it also has less calories in a glass.  (Only 60 cals in one cup of almond milk versus 100 cals in one cup of 1% milk.)  Also, it has just as much calcium as cows milk!  I think the best part is that is tastes good.  I never liked soy milk because it had a funny aftertaste for me, but almond milk tastes much better in my opinion.

I'm getting side-tracked.  Back to breakfast.  If you're on Pintrest you've probably seen something called soaked oats or overnight oats.  I found them on Skinnytaste and decided to give them a try.  I modified it a little, but it still came out great.  It really couldn't be simpler. 


Ingredients


1/3 cup whole oats (or instant, it doesn't matter)
2/3 cup almond milk ( or soy, or coconut or cows milk...whatever you like)
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 sliced banana
1 small palmful of chopped walnuts (or any other nuts you like)


Put the oats, almond milk, blueberries and bananas in a mason jar.  Put the lid on and give it a shake.  Let it sit in the refrigerator overnight.  In the morning, give it a shake again before you want to eat it.  Toss in the walnuts and enjoy.

That's it!  I've been making it after I clean up from dinner each night and then it's ready to go in the morning.  I've also seen recipes that suggest you add a sweetener like Stevia or honey.  I didn't only because the almond milk made it sweet enough.  You could also experiment using other fruit or berries.  I bet apples and cinnamon would make a great combo too!

What healthy breakfasts have you been eating lately?

I have BIG news.

First off, I'm not pregnant.

Second, I guess it's not really earth shattering news, but it really is big news for our little family.

Okay, I won't leave you hanging anymore.  We are moving to Connecticut.  For those of you who don't know, John and I grew up in CT and almost all of our family still live there.  We struggled a lot with the idea of leaving our home in PA, but ultimately we know this is the right decision for our family.

Really, the whole situation couldn't be more perfect.  John has accepted the job of Assistant Brewmaster at a brand new brewery that is opening up in the town we grew up in, which also happens to be the same town all of our parents still live in.   It was an opportunity we just couldn't pass on, so we jumped on the chance and decided it was time for a change.

While there are lots of things to do in a very short amount of time, (we leave on July 13th) we are up for the challenge.  We've got a house to sell, boxes to pack, tearful goodbyes to make but we are ready.

I'm looking forward to making the place I grew up a home for my children.  I'm ready for some new adventures.  But most of all, I'm happy my kids will be able to create even closer relationships with their extended family.