Goodbye Florida, Hello Texas. (Part 2)

We made it into Foley, Alabama around midnight. We were exhausted. Sticks wasn't. She had slept most of the drive. We stayed at a hotel near the Tanger Outlets. For the life of me I can't remember the name of it right now. Anyway, we and checked in, set up the pack-n-play, and got ready for bed. We were so ready to sleep; however, someone was wide awake and ready to PLAY! Needless to say it was a very long night.

Because Elora kept us up all night we decided to sleep in till 7:30AM. We showered and headed down for breakfast. It was a free continental breakfast and we were satisfied. Elora Danan enjoyed a Little Cuties with her Papi and they had a sweet moment where she held his hand for a while. She likes to hand feed me...everything! She has a crumb in her hand that she was adamant that I eat. I can't take it from her with my hand...no. She likes to place the food item in my mouth. She is a caregiver and very sharing.

After breakfast we packed up and took time to brush our teeth! Sticks loves to brush her teeth. She's getting better at it everyday. I like these pictures because she's mimicking Eric. We make dental hygiene a priority and a family event. 

Eric began to loaded up the car for the long drive to Texas and someone got very busy ripping up tissues.  She was having a great time and I get a kick out of her "Who me?" look when I got on to her. Before leaving I picked up every last shredded piece of tissue.

 Lambert's Cafe didn't open till 10:30AM so we decided to walk around the Tanger Outlet Mall. We stopped in at Clark's and Elora passed out. She laid there the whole time. Does she look comfortable to you? Silly kid.

I really enjoyed eating at Lambert's Cafe! I love it there. I love the rolls and the Southern Style cooking. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun. Elora really like her meal or fried catfish, white beans and ham, and beets. She really like the beets. Eric and I couldn't get enough of the fried okra! YUM 

Here is a picture of the whole trip. Long trip. I'm glad we broke it up in 2 days and took our time. I'm not looking forward to another long road-trip for at least a couple months from now.

 After we ate we let Sticks play on the wooden train right outside the restaurant. She had fun.

One of the waiters gave Elora a balloon. She played with it for the rest of the trip, when she wasn't sleeping or watching Pocoyo. After a great meal, nice and full, we headed out on the road again. Seven hours to go to his parents house.

We later stopped at an Applebee's for dinner...3 hours to go. The baby enjoyed so yummy lime wedges. We needed this stop. We were both so exhausted.

It was a long 3 hours. Eric and I both struggled to stay awake and had to switch off often. I could not stay awake any longer so Eric took over and got us there safely. We arrived around 1:15AM. Said hi to his parents and then crashed on the guest bed.

Please Bare With Me!!

Hey guys,

Please bare with me as I get caught up. I have alot of unfinished posts and I just haven't had the time to sit down and really work on them. I have about 7-9 posts that are nearly done and should have been posted over the last month.

Quick update: Things here are good. Still trying to unpack. I will be attempting to make new friends...I have a playdate to tomorrow for Elora Danan. I have never met them. We became "friends" on Facebook through a Lackland AFB Spouses group I joined. I still need to make it over to my neighbor's house. I really suck at the social part of life.

I had a sorta interview to teach Zumba® Fitness at a studio. It went well. The owner said they loved me and my style and would love to have me... I'm hesitant...not because of them. They are GREAT!!! It more a personal issue...well, because I'm a scaredy cat. More on that later!

I'm baking again. I'm gonna try to keep it up this time!

Oh, and I started up my Mary Kay business again! I'm looking for new customers and I am excited to expand that business! Hit me up at www.marykay.com/lpangburn

That's it for now...I'm going to work on some of the other posts now. Hopefully have some completed and up by Saturday!

Later,
Lyds

Goodbye Florida, Hello Texas. (Part 1)

What an interesting cross-country road trip.  I'm so glad it's over and we are finally here in San Antonio, Texas! The last two weeks were kinda rough for me. I said goodbye to our home of seven years. Besides Honduras that is the longest I have ever lived in one place. I can't honestly say that I enjoyed living in the Tampa Bay Area. However, I had formed a life there. Started a career. Brought my baby into the world there. This house is where I found out I was pregnant. Where Sticks took her first steps and said her first words. It was our home. It was familiar. By no means our dream home, but it was ours!

We started our sojourn around 2:00PM. I know that's late but we had promised a friend's daughter that we would not leave until school was let out so she could say goodbye. IT was an emotional farewell for me. I had come to truly love this family. Mrs. G and I had become close friends. It had been so long since I had enjoyed a true friendship. The Gs would do anything for you. They are wonderful, God-fearing people. They impacted my life for the better. There were many night's when Hubs was gone that Sticks and I would spend the night at their house. Oh boy, do I appreciate them!!

After saying our farewells, we started our eighteen hour drive. We had decided prior that we would take our time and take two-three days if needed.  We had planned to make two stops along the way. The first would be the Butterfly Rainforest in Gainseville, Florida and the second would be to have lunch at Lambert's Cafe in Foley, Alabama. 

I absolutely adore butterflies. They are one of my favorite creations. God has the best imagination to create thousands of different types! Eric took me for our seven year anniversary back in January 2012. I was eight months pregnant. You can read all about it here The Next day: The Gainesville Getaway. I just had to share their splendor with my daughter. She had a great time. She "oohed" and "awed" as they fluttered around her head. 

We got there ten minutes before they closed the exhibit for the day. We almost didn't get in, but we told them we were on our way out of Florida & this may be the only time Sticks would get to see the butterflies. So for the second time they let us in for free! Everything is better when its free! Don't you think? Oh wait! It did cost us five quarters. The meter would only allow us fifteen minutes (one quarter), because the museum was closing. However, it took me four more quarters to figure that out! 

The visit was short - about five minutes. Plenty of time. We got back on the road and began making as much headway as possible. We made a wrong turn and ended up near Valdosta, Georgia before we realized it. Thirty minutes later we were back on track. 

Look at those beautiful eyes! Sticks does really well holding the food pouches without squeezing them and making a mess. She is only thirteen months so she still makes messes sometimes. She also really enjoys eating the creamies. (I really like them because they are dairy free)

The Great Church Hunt

Here we go. The great church hunt has begun. We had a wonderful home church in Riverview Florida! First Baptist Church of Riverview was a great church to call home. We were very happy with the nursery & the other ministries. I wouldn't say that finding a new church is hard but it can be taxing. New church every week. Sometimes you are able to attend the same church twice. That's always nice.

Our criteria for a new home church is as follows:
• The teaching must be biblical!
• Methodology can be less conservative (meaning that not every song needs to be a hymn, but we don't want to be at a rock concert either)
• Good Children's ministry. I want to feel comfortable dropping off Elora Danan in the care of basically strangers!

San Antonio is a huge city. There will be a plethora of churches to choose from. I hope it doesn't take months to find a church home.

We're Moving!!

We are moving. April 1st we are PCSing from Tampa, Florida to San Antonio, Texas. We will be moving to Lackland AFB. We are looking forward to this move we have grown tired of Tampa Bay.  A new place. A new beginning. We like that idea.

During the next month I will be absent from the blogging world. I will update as soon as possible.

Later alligator!

A Conflict of the Hats...

Tonight was one of those nights where I felt so lost. Elora was doing just fine and dandy on our way to teach my ZUMBA class. When I arrived at the clubhouse, I parked the car and proceeded to unload. Just as I begin to unfasten Elora from the carseat she has this...explosive, exorcist sit-up...hat just won't stop. It was all down the front of her. It was on the carseat straps, buckles. It had seeped down into the cover and began dripping on to the mat thingy that protected the back seat from the carseat. I stood there for a moment trying to decide whether or not to cancel class. I knew I had new students and I didn't want to disappoint of leave a poor impression. A flaky impression. So I called a friend and asked her opinion. She gave me good advise and I then called another friend whom I knew would be on her way to class. This friend, I asked her to bring me a couple towels to sop up the mess and dry off the Zumba Baby.

I waited there by the car, waiting for the towels to arrive. I began to think about how it sucks that I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Here I am, trying to help and encourage other women to be fit and healthy, but also trying to be a good mother. What was the right choice. Cancelling the class and taking Elora Danan home? Staying to teach while hoping that she won't do that again in her pack'n'play? I took my friend's (a seasoned mother of 3) advise to stay and teach, but just to let them know that if it happens again I will have to cut the class short and I could credit them home the class. I know that I am a GREAT mother...but...I still have this fear that others will judge me an unfit mother for choosing to stay and teach. sigh.

I take my job seriously. I don't teach my Zumba Fitness classes for me, you know. I don't like crowds. I don't like being in front of folks. It scares the living hez out of me. Every class I am freaking out on the inside as I take the 'stage' and begin teaching. Even after 3 years! No, this is not for me. I believe deep in my heart that these women are special. That they deserve to be encouraged and helped. I care whether or not they attend a class... not for monetary reasons, but because I want to make sure that they never give up on their goals. That they never give up on themselves!

I'm sure someone out there is thinking...nanny, babysitter, daycare. Um...no. No. No! I am her caregiver. However, I appreciate and am EXTREMELY grateful for all help that is given me and I love my 'village' that helps me. My baby stays with me.

Golly, I really gotta get something to eat and then go to sleep...

New Year Resolution #2

Taking care of myself. Too often I put myself on the back burner. Aside from working out (its my job), I don't take care of myself. I put everything and everyone else before me. That's all fine and dandy, but there needs to be a balance. This year I have decided to start taking care of Lydia. Whether it's as elaborate as going for a mani/pedi or as simple as brushing my hair. This ties in with Resolution #1. I want to be a good example to Elora Danan. I want her to grow up understanding that she is valuable and special. It's important to consider oneself. If she sees mommy wearing the clothes she slept in and unwashed hair to the market to buy veggies, she will learn that this is acceptable. personal hygiene is not an option or choice. And one should not wear jammies to the store. So lazy!

I was never one to spend anytime on myself, but as I get older I'm beginning to actually like the way I look. I never gave it a thought before and MAN did it ever show. I'll dig up some pictures for a later entry. I'm nearing the big 30 and I'm not a little girl anymore. I may be at heart, but that's completely different. So Starting this year, whether I leave the house or not, I will shower and get ready for the day. Meaning, I will get dressed, brush my hair, and at least moisturize my face. Oh, and accessorize slightly.

Here's how I look today. This is my easy-running-errands-mommy-look. I'm wearing LOFT jeans, LOFT Booties, Basic V-neck Tee (I don't remember and there's no tag. lol), braided rope belt from Target, and Skrym earrings

New Year's Resolution #1

My first resolution for 2013 is to be the best mom I can possibly be to Elora. I will strive to only provide her with the very best nutrition. I promise to set forth a good example in all things in life. From eating right and working out to making the bed in the morning. Nothing is too great or too small. I promise to guide her and teach her how to become a well-rounded person. I will train her up according to the Bible. I promise to teach her about self worth, through taking care of myself (I am guilty of not caring for myself like I should).

The list is long, but I think you get the point. I just want her to grow up and excel. I am first and foremost her primary educator. I do not take this task lightly. Some may call me strict or mean. Some may call me paranoid or even the opposite, because I don't run to her and pick her up every time she whimpers or even cries. Finding the right balance is difficult. However God gave me instincts for a reason. He created women to be mothers. I know that I can and will do a good job.

I love this Hat. Motherhood. Love it.

This picture was the first time I danced with my daughter. Still brings tears to my eyes every time I see it.

Elora Danan 2 days old. Getting ready to leave the hospital.
02/26/12

Tooth #2 is coming in....

This teething situation..stinks...majorly. Elora's second tooth is beginning to rear is head. I wish they would all come in at once. I could really use the sleep. Baby has very low grade fever, crystal clear running nose, mucus-y cough (from all the drainage), and sneezing (allergies?). She is now regurgitating her meals. Not throwing up. She nurses. She coughs. She regurgitates all of it. Aside from all that she is super active, explores (gets into everything), and is very happy. She does have bouts of crankiness and crying when her incoming tooth is bothering her. I'm in for another rough day. Yesterday alone I was covered in the regurgitated breastmilk. Changed my clothes 3 times. This morning she got me in bed. I must now wash the bedding.

I really suck at blogging...

It’s difficult to be a woman in today’s world. Pretty much the same as years long before. Nothing has really changed. If you stay at home and play housewife and mom then you are old-fashioned and a slave. If you work outside the home and place your children in childcare, then you are not a good enough wife or mother. If you choose career and success over husband and children, then you are a shark.

I wonder where I am in all this. I’m a wife, SAHM, and I work outside of the home. I try to balance all the aspect of my lifestyle. Sometimes I choose motherhood and other times I choose job. I have to make choices I’d rather not at all. I feel passionate about my students and the service I provide as a fitness instructor. I feel equally passionate, on another level completely, about being the best mother I can be for my sweet Elora Danan.

I dabble in many things. I know who I am, but I still search myself sometimes. I’m guilty of changing my mind frequently. My likes and dislikes have swapped. I am told quite often that I’m ADD, although, I have never been diagnosed. Spacey is another word I have heard folks use to describe me. I make lists to writes list to get organized. I’m a hot mess, and yet I feel that my life has reason and order. I'm working on getting it together. I have few 'plans' that I'm trying to implement. Mainly, I just need to take one day at a time, accomplish one thing at a time, and then build on that. It sounds easy enough. In reality, I'm struggling to get started. I guess I'll go write a new list/plan...