What do you do when you set goals for the year only to realize you failed EVERY.SINGLE.ONE.OF.THEM........

Well, In the past I would probably dwell on the fact that I was a crazy failure and sit and cry while eating a pint of ice cream while watching The Biggest Loser and whining because I wish I could lose 100lbs in 8 weeks.....BUT that doesn't seem to be the case this year!

The new me will make new goals and start fresh!

Here is a refresher for my goals from last year:

My Fitness Goals for 2013
-Make it to 199lbs---FAILED! I was at my lowest weight in July (38lbs away from my goal) but then life happened, I got lazy, I started working full time and I gained 14lbs......
-Workout twice a day---FAILED! I was actually doing very well with this as well up until the fall....well, because of the same excuses I used up above....
-Eat Better, stick to 1500-1200 calories a day and keep logging into MyFitnessPal.---FAILED!
-Start running again and complete the C25K---FAILED! I think I attempted this at least 3 times......
-Run at least 1 5K (The Hot Chocolate Run in Chicago with Jen for sure)---FAILED!
-Feel better about myself---I can't call this a total failure because I do feel better about myself....just not as much lately...

My Personal/Family Goals for 2013
-Get Organized---FAILED! 
-Be a better wife and mom---umm...I don't really know...I honestly think that me getting out of the house and getting a job has kind of made me a better wife and mom.....this one is debatable....
-Make a Budget AND stick to it---FAILED! 
-Work on getting out of debt---FAILED! I think I successfully caused us more debt this year....
-Build a Savings---FAILED!
-Start a Christmas club in January so that I am not freaking out in December---FAILED!
-Feel better about myself---Same answer as above......maybe....
-Make at least one day a week Date Night---FAILED!
-Have a girls only day with Cady at least once ever other week---FAILED!
-Be in bed by 11:30pm on weekdays, even when school is out---FAILED!
-Craft more and build up my online business---FAILED!
-Read my Bible once a day---FAILED!
-Try not to over-commit myself---FAILED!

So, there ya have it....There is my 2013 recap! LOL..not super exciting or encouraging.  Now, since I am not going to dwell on it, I'd like to share my new goals.  And let's pray next year when I recap I will have less fails and more successes! :-) I have a really good feeling about this year and my life and how things are going......

My Fitness Goals for 2014
-Make it to 199lbs
-Workout once a day
-Eat Better, stick to 1500-1200 calories a day and keep logging into MyFitnessPal.
-Start running again and complete the C25K
-Run at least 1 5K (The Hot Chocolate Run in Chicago with Jen for sure)
-Feel better about myself

My Personal/Family Goals for 2013
-Get Organized
-Be a better wife and mom
-Make a Budget AND stick to it
-Work on getting out of debt
-Build a Savings
-Start a Christmas club in January so that I am not freaking out in December
-Feel better about myself
-Make at least one day a week Date Night
-Have a girls only day with Cady at least once ever other week
-Be in bed by 10:30pm on weekdays, even when school is out
-Read my Bible once a day
-Try not to over-commit myself

I can say that I have had at least one success from last year.
I am able to be totally ok with where I am at in my life right now.



Until Next Time....

Ignorance is not bliss...

Friday morning my son was officially diagnosed medically with Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder.  

This is a long time coming and I can honestly say that I am relieved that we are one step closer to getting things taken care of.  Let's give you a little back story: Around December I started feeling like there was more to Nathan's behavior than just "Terrible Twos" and being a boy. He was not talking, very angry, circling things all the time and just started lining up his cars. The researcher in me started googling and taking quizzes and was left with more questions than ever!  But I was pretty confident that Nathan was Autistic.  Everything added up and I will be honest, I was kind of happy that I had some ideas as to why he was different.  Obviously I took my questions to his Ped and step after step we have finally gotten the official answer!  So, I have officially joined the exclusive group of Autism Mothers.  However, during my research I have read many articles where parents talk about how devastating it is to hear that your child is Autistic. 

I guess I just don't get it.  Am I weird?? 

Autism is not the end of the world, it is not a death sentence, it is not some horrible disease. Nathan does not suffer from anything. He is a curious 2 1/2 year old boy who deals with things and learns differently than you and I, but he is not suffering. 

Yes it is hard at times to care for him, but it is not a tragedy. God chose me to be his mother for a reason, and it annoys me when people feel sorry for us because we have a special needs son. 

BTW, I do believe that ignorance is truly a tragedy! :-)

Until Next Time......

I Love this man.

Today, Leif and I have been married for 8 years. I can say with certainty that 11 years ago I knew I was going to marry this man and be with him for the rest of our lives.  I love him so much I can't even put it into words. I can not wait to see what our future holds for our family!

I Love You Leif. 

Here's to the next 8 years! 

Ultimate Blog Party 2013 - Who is Steph from As Told By Steph?

I'm excited to link up this year!  I honestly can't remember if I missed last year or not!  That's how crazy life is! 

Sit down and relax.  I'm Steph. :-) Wife to Leif, Stay at Home Mom to Cadence and Nathan, Crafting business owner and certified procrastinator! I married my best friend 8 years ago, Cady is 5 going on 15 and Nathan is 2. I blog mostly about parenthood, marriage, my strange addition to gnomes and owls, my weight loss journey and just life in general. 

I take on way more than I can handle, I procrastinate like the best of them, I tell myself that I work better under pressure and I stress out about the little things.  To say that I LOVE my life would be an understatement!  My kids and my husband are my reason for living. 

I'm on a journey to a healthier me.  I am currently taking my life back and have lost 39 lbs since August.  I have recently discovered that I am a runner. 

I watch way too much TV and surf way too much net at night after everyone has gone to bed, I love God and am currently dealing with the Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder diagnosis of our son and all that comes with the life changing events that will be hitting our family sooner rather than later.  

My husband is my best friend.  He has stuck with me through BiPolar disorder, depression and crazy wife moments.  He is one of the hardest working guys I have ever met. (of course besides my daddy! :-)  He does what he can to support his family so that I can stay home with out children.  He is a video game lover, book lover, Netflix lover, movie lover.  We have been together for 11 years and married for 8, he is defiantly the other half of me. 

Cadence and Nathan are quite opposite of each other.  

Cady is all things girl.  She loves barbies, music and dancing.  She fully believes that she will be a star one day, she is sweet and loving and we are so much a like that we often butt heads! Cady has taught me to stop and hear the words of a song and dance around if I feel like it because life is too short to care what others think.  

Nathan is all things boy. He love Thomas the Train, anything with wheels, jumping and running, playing outside and his sister.  He is Autistic and has Sensory Processing Disorder.  He is the easiest and hardest child I have ever encountered.  He is very shy and quiet most of the time.  Nathan has taught me that everyone is different and their own person and that isn't a bad thing.  He has taught me that the little things in life are what really matter.  Because he is delayed in areas I feel like I get so much more joy from seeing him hit a milestone because I know how hard he has worked to get as far as he is right now.  Because he doesn't speak much I find myself tearing up every time I hear him say "Mommy".

There aren't enough hours in a day for all of the things I commit myself to and I all of the things I love.  

I could keep going but I know there is so much more I could tell you that you would be reading all day! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope to see you soon!

http://www.5minutesformom.com/75741/ultimate-blog-party-2013/

Until Next Time....

Father Daughter Dance 2013

My Baby Girl had her first Father Daughter Dance last month!  

I'm not sure who was more excited, me or her?  

I lucked out this year because she still fit in the beautiful Flower Girl dress she wore in my sister in law's wedding almost 2 years ago.... :-) Will she ever grow?? ;-) 

Dress 2 years ago

 Dress now!

We did her hair and I even let her wear a little make up so that she looked perfect for her big date!

Of course we had to pose for a bunch of "Mommy pictures"! Leif isn't too fond of pictures, but I think they are cute! 

Of course, I don't have any pictures during the dance because someone said he forgot a camera....HELLO, YOU HAVE AN I-PHONE!!!  But, I'm not bitter! LOL 

Overall Cady had a wonderful time with her daddy.  I'm so excited for the memories that they have started making for years to come and I know that Cady will remember these dances for the rest of her life!  And hopefully next year we will see some pictures during the dance! 

Until Next Time....

Party like its.....

We're gonna party like its.....1999 2012!! 

The Hightree Family has some big plans tonight to ring in the New Year!  

We will start the night with some classy Hors d'oeuvre's. 

 

Then we will head to the Movies with some friends. 

And pray that our favorite seats are available.

Then if we are feeling up to it we might go to a club and do a little dancing. 

After dancing we are going to have to figure out which party suits us best......

or 

Once we agree on a party we will raise a toast to 2013! 

I bid a gentle farewell to 2012.  We have had our ups and downs but in the end you were always good to us!  As a family we will Welcome 2013 with open arms and pray that we have an even better year than the past!  

I hope everyone has a Safe and Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing/talking/reading everyone's updates in 2013!

Until Next Time.....

Goals, Accountability, Encouragement

Why do we set goals?
Is it to stress ourselves out throughout the year?  To freak out when you haven't accomplished your goal within the time limit you gave yourself?  To set yourself up to fail?  That's what I used to think.  In the past I have never set goals because in my mind I knew I was going to fail.  I just knew it and you couldn't tell me otherwise.  Why?  Because I trained my brain to believe it.  I told my self that I sucked so I just assumed that I was going to suck.  Well, 2012 has shown me that I can actually accomplish somethings when I put my mind to it.  2012 has taught me that I am persistent and determined and that if I work my butt off I can actually accomplish some things.

So, with all of that, I am presenting to you some of the goals that I have written down that I want to accomplish in 2013.  I know, some of these are crazy, some of these should be things that come naturally and some of these things you will probably think are silly.  But they are not silly to me and there is a reason why they made my list.  I'm sure I will be adding and probably taking some of these away but I just wanted a record of my original goals so that I can always come back to them.

I have divided them up in categories, apparently I am becoming organized by the minute!

My Fitness Goals for 2013
-Make it to 199lbs
-Workout twice a day
-Eat Better, stick to 1500-1200 calories a day and keep logging into MyFitnessPal.
-Start running again and complete the C25K
-Run at least 1 5K (The Hot Chocolate Run in Chicago with Jen for sure)
-Feel better about myself

My Personal/Family Goals for 2013
-Get Organized
-Be a better wife and mom
-Make a Budget AND stick to it
-Work on getting out of debt
-Build a Savings
-Start a Christmas club in January so that I am not freaking out in December
-Feel better about myself
-Make at least one day a week Date Night
-Have a girls only day with Cady at least once ever other week
-Be in bed by 11:30pm on weekdays, even when school is out
-Craft more and build up my online business
-Read my Bible once a day
-Try not to over-commit myself

So, there they are.  I'm sure I will think of more as things start to unravel with the new year approaching, but I believe these are some of the most important items I NEED to accomplish this year.

I ask you to help keep me accountable.
If you see me buying up the whole Clearance shelf just because it is cheap and I MIGHT need it in the future slap me back to reality and tell me NO!  :-)
If you see me eating an entire package of oreos in one sitting slap me back to reality and tell me NO! :-)
If you see me online at 3am Facebooking, Blogging or Pinning slap me back to reality and tell me NO! :-)

Since part of this post applies to the Health and Fitness side of my life and it's Friday and I actually remembered to link up this week, I also wanted to link up with Jen at A Daily Dose of Davis for Health and Fitness Friday!

Have you thought about setting some goals yet?  If your interested in sharing your list I'd love to see it....since I'm kind of a goals newbie my lists can always use some help!

I trust you all had a Very Merry Christmas and I pray for a Safe and Happy New Year!

Until Next Time.....

From Our Family to Yours.

Thankful Day 4 and 5

Day 4: I am thankful that my hubby has a job that supports our family and allows me to stay home with our kids.  He sacrifices so much for our family and we don't always see each other a lot, however, it will be worth it in the end. 

Day 5: I am thankful for my sisters and brothers and their families.  We are growing on a daily basis, we are not perfect, we argue and fight and hardly agree on anything but I wouldn't have it any other way! 

Until Next Time....

Thankful

I'm a couple days behind....but that's not surprising since I am always late....to basically everything... :-)

Day 1: I am thankful for my amazing, understanding, caring and patient husband. 

Day 2: I am thankful for my children. Who on any given day can make me smile and cry at a drop of a hat but I still love them more than I can ever put into words. 

Day 3: I am thankful for my parents. 

For obvious reasons, without them I would not be who I am today. 

Until Next Time....

Insta-Friday

I am a Lover of all things Android.  I was SO jealous when I came across Instagram on my Ipod but realized that I couldn't get in on my Android phone....so naturally once I heard that they had an App available for Android I hopped right on it!  Since then I have basically taken all of my pictures using that App.

So, you can guess how excited I was to find a Friday meme called Insta-Friday at Life Rearranged!

I present to you, The my week via Instagram!

I cherish the times my sweet boy lets me sing him to sleep.  He was so exhausted that he climbed up on my lap and fell asleep after one song! 

Sister had her first field trip last week.  This was taken on the way to the zoo......which I might add was an hour and a half away on a school buss....We spent the day at Potowatomi Zoo in South Bend.

This is what she picked out at the zoo......kinda freaky....I know...

The next day Hubby was off from work so, because I'm some what crazy, we headed North to another zoo!  This time we spent the day at Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek.

 

And we met this guy!

Towards the end of our day someone started getting a little silly!

 

These two love each other so much.  It makes me smile when I see them hugging and laying with each other.  Because Nate is getting older and rarely sits still anymore it doesn't happen much so when it does I try and capture every moment!

Well, there ya have it!  My first Insta-Friday!  If you want to join me in this fun meme then head on over to  Life Rearranged and join in! If you want to find me on Instagram look me up at Steph8084.

Until Next Time.....