Day 1

Day one is finally drawing to a close and I have successfully gone 24hours without a soda. I wish you could truly understand just how huge this is for me. I am so unbelievably proud of myself. I must admit that I almost hiccuped today at the grocery store. While picking up a few things I found myself walking down the soda isle on the way to check out. Instinctively I went to grab a 2liter of DP for the cart only to soon realize, oh yeah, that is definitely a no-go. It was crazy how it was just a simple reflex for me to buy soda. How depressing, when did I get to this place? I am so glad I made the decision to ditch the dang thing. Here was me this morning through my first soda withdraw...


On a much brighter note, I went roller blading today. Remember when that sounded like fun? Definitely NOT the case any longer. I thought it would be a good way to enjoy the holiday and the weather in Flag was so beautiful today. It was only about 5 minutes into the ordeal that I realized that instead of roller blading, I was not so gracefully flailing about, resembling more of a dying pigeon on wheels than a roller blader. I am not old so how is it that physically I am incapable of doing "leisurely" activities such as roller blading, like I did when I was a kid? Any of you find that you are incapable of doing things now that you could when you were a kid? Give me some motivation here and tell me about them... Me? Roller blading for one; walking barefoot anywhere, jumping on a pogo stick, riding a bike with no hands, riding a bike at all, the list truly goes on. Share your experiences so we can all laugh about it together. Well, this is it for me. I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day. Here is how Rush celebrated it;


Dang. He is cute huh? Such a little heart throb!

true colors

Today, while reading a fitness magazine, I decided it was time to change my life. It has taken a long time for me to realize that much of my unhappiness stems from my inability to stay motivated. I am constantly setting goals for myself, only to find that within a week my once sought after dream has been thrown by the wayside. I figure the first logical step is to, one, start talking about my goals. Alas, we are here and I am telling you my most intimates. Please note that I am not an all around unhappy person. However, like most everybody I know, I have my faults... my weaknesses shall we say and like you, I too would love to be free of my bad habits.
I decided the only way I am going to stick to my guns, beyond a week that is, is to set one goal at a time. First runner up? Soda. Yes, I plan to kick my soda addiction. Recently my dear friend Regan was poking fun at her brother-in-law for never drinking water during his day. She said to me, “Laura, he drinks soda all day long. He never has water... ever. It's weird and gross. That is so unhealthy.” I didn't say anything at the time but I thought oh lord she totally just described me. I mean I do have water but sips here and there; nothing compared to the 64oz a day that is most popularly suggested. Now I know you are sitting there in your judging chair, with your judging eyes, thinking; seriously, you never drink water? What do you drink? I am a being sincere when I say soda or nothing. Yes, I am truly the definition of a sodaholic.
But here I am baring it (bashfully) to you all in hopes that your positive thoughts and your judging eyes keep me motivated. I hope that this is the first step to a lot of positive changes I hope to see in myself. The next “goal” I hope to work on is running. We'll save that battle/story for another time. So here we go, day one starts tomorrow. Why tomorrow? Why not. I'll keep you posted. I plan to blog daily about my goals and how they are working out. I'd love to hear what goals you are working on, too. Maybe we can all get motivated to obtain our dreams together? Too corny?... Ah, who cares *wink.




The New Found,
-Laura

silhouettes

For the longest time Daniel and I had two LARGE empty pictures frames boxing in our hutch in the front room. I hated them being empty, it's the first thing you see when you walk in... not to mention we have a HUGE 8x8 window in our living room making them visible from outside, too. The problem was that I was unable to think of anything to do with them. Originally I was going to put pictures of rush but then I thought that may be unfair to future babies. Then while blog stalking one day, I came across the idea of making your own silhouettes. It was SO easy and not to mention the perfect thing for our sad-empty frames. Here is the result. Sorry for the image quality, I just snapped the photos quickly with my phone!!

Things That Make Me Shine

Things that make me happy lately...

This swimsuit. Adorable. I love that old is new again; I definitely love all things vintage.


The unbeatable Flagstaff summer that is rapidly approaching. Daniel and I are reseeding the front yard this weekend and have plans to put some rock in, too!


Gardening. Yes I realize I am an 80year old woman stuck in a 35year old body (who is actually only 24 *wink)... But I ADORE gardening. So relaxing and instant rewards. I probably could garden all day. What do you think the odds are I can make what I make now by planting flowers all day long? Oh, in a perfect world.


Collecting misc vintage items like the 1941 Sunbeam Mixer I found at good will for only $2! Seriously life changing. I think I may have run over an old man, annnnd shoved a small child to get to it before anyone else but I did... and it is awesome!


Watching movies with Daniel after Rush has gone to bed. Daniel is my absolute best friend. I can't believe how much we laugh together. I recently video recorded him showing my how to do "the wave" with his eyebrows. I can't figure out how to upload it but rest assured it is HILARIOUS! Love that husband of mine...


Diet sodas. Yes, my name is Laura and I am a sodaholic. I use to drink just regular sodas until daniel pointed out the difference of 300calories with regular soda versus 0 calories with diet. I really hope one day to shake the whole soda addiction all together but for now I can be happy that I am on the diet soda wagon. My favorite? Diet pepsi with lime. Seriously? Yum.



And of course, last, but CERTAINLY not least... Rushton. He is the light of my life. Everything about him makes me happy. Even when he is having his little baby temper tantrums I smile. Being a mother is my favorite thing in the world. I could stare at his beautiful face all day long. How am I so blessed?

goodbye flagstaff, hello san diego

... oh sweet, sweet vacation how we are SO looking forward to you! no babies, no dogs, no work, no dirty house, or unkempt yards. just daniel, me, the waves, and the sand for 3 days. any romantic ideas? we've got a few of our own but open to suggestions. any hidden treasures that must be seen? or hole-in-the walls that must be tried?

daniel and me march 09' at huntington beach...


daniel and laura 2011 mission beach...


(okay, okay so this isn't us. what gave it away? the anorexically skinny chick or the dude with hair? Ah hell, we'll give our best but no guarantees we'll have photo ops like this between all the mischief will be making. WATCH OUT SAN DIEGO, the opfels are comin' for you *insert evil laugh*)!!!

word vomit

I really have wanted to blog about how I've been feeling but, truthfully, I don't know that I have completely digested everything. This past friday I spent my afternoon at the doctors for my post operative appointment instead of listening to our babies heart beat for the first time. I cried a little that day.

Actually, I cry a little everyday. Well, maybe not every day but it seems like alot. Many of my friends are expecting babies in this upcoming year and it's been challenging to keep a smile on my face. The hardships of this experience are far from over. On top of the miscarriage I also had to have a D and C. The procedure itself wasn't bad, just meant more bleeding and a horrible anesthesia headache. Because of this experience I missed a bunch of work, which led to a verbal warning for too many absences! Of course my work understands the situation but they have to follow procedures. Despite their understanding, I am still having a hard time swallowing that last one. And now the bills are rolling in, yet another reminder. All of this is salt in a very open wound.

Over these last few days I feel like the past is starting to be put behind us. I get asked alot if Daniel and I are going to try for another baby any time soon. I don't have a good answer but we know that when it is time, we will be ready. Some days I am angry, some days I feel annoyed, or sad, or confused. The good news is, with each passing day I feel better and better. Thank you every one for your love and support. It's meant the word to me and Daniel. We know that Papa Bill and my grandpa are looking after our angel baby.

- The Opfels

a boy & his balloon

here is a short story that daniel and I like to call
a boy and his ballooon. no captions needed.






Yes, sadly this is how rush spent a portion of his easter. don't worry, despite the horrific wind storm that particular day, we were able to retrieve the balloon from the nearby bushes. However, shortly after we "retrieved" said balloon, Rush promptly bit and popped the thing. I should really just start burning dollar bills. Oh well, it brought him several seconds of happiness (and maybe even a little despair) which we were fortunate enough to catch on camera!

mischief maker

being a mom is the most unique experience.
with mother's day rapidly approaching I find myself thinking about
what it means to be a mother. I like to think of myself as a good
mom but only time will tell. However, even if I am the worlds
worst mother here are a list of things I LOVE about being Rushton's Mama:

1. He will stop crying if I sing to him.
2. He cuddles me when he doesn't feel good or wants to watch TV.
3. He giggles at me when I dance (my dancing is giggle worthy).
4. He will only brush his teeth if I sing the Brush Em' song from grease!
5. His smile warms my heart and his curiosity tests my patiences.
6. He will fight me for my food and says "mmm" when he wants a drink.
7. He thinks I'm hilarious when I bock like a chicken as he eats chicken nuggets!
8. He scowls at me with his hands on his hips or side when I am reprimanding him.
9. He doesn't fight afternoon naps with me (usually).
10. he makes me proud to be alive. he makes me a better, more loving, more compassionate, more tolerable (wink) woman. I am so grateful for him, every day.


Congratulations to ALL Mother's this mothers day!! You have the BEST job in the entire world! Its hard work but the reward is oh so-so sweet!

my life is perfect

I am so blessed. Take a minute to smile
at the things that make your heart warm.