Concrete Jungle Where Dreams are Made

I'm tired of looking at my last, ridiculous post...so here you go.

I'm going here in 2 more sleeps

And I'm going to go for a couple of morning runs here

Be jealous

What to Eat or Not to Eat

I have a lot of feelings about food.  I loooooove food!  I'm one of those people who would rather spend money on food than clothes.  I love trying new things, and I also have my list of favorite places and things that I could eat a million times over (mexican food...mmm).  Here's the thing though...I never know what I should eat.  Am I the only one??
I just met with a personal trainer last week and got everything weighed and pinched and measured and she set some goals for me.  I'm starting a new training schedule to increase my speed in running and I'm adding strength training to it as well.  I love working out (or maybe I love how I feel after...), so I think I'm ok on that front.  But...I NEVER know what I'm supposed to eat!  How do you lose body fat and gain lean body muscle all at the same time??  I don't want to be one of those girls who's obsessed and I absolutely do not believe in dieting.  I believe in making healthy choices and changing habits.  I think I just struggle with knowing what the healthiest choices are, and what helps you lose body fat without losing the muscle I've worked so hard for.  I think I'm supposed to eat a lot of protein and veggies, but what the heck do I do with fruit and carbs?  Do I eat them, do I avoid them?  Do I only eat them if they're whole wheat?  Do I still need carbs to fuel my working out??  I know this should be easy, but please tell me you get as confused as I do sometimes!
I just read this article this morning and I couldn't agree more with what it says.  I don't really believe in deprivation, because when you tell your body you "can't" have something, then you naturally crave it more.  Hence, why I don't believe in crash dieting.  I'm all about giving in and having one or two cookies, or a chocolate bar, or whatever it is.  I'd just like to make sure I'm making healthier choices all around, so when those little cravings hit I don't have to have the little inner battle before I eat it.  You know?  Am I sounding like the girl obsessed, or just the girl confused?  The whole basis for my "obsession" is that I want to be healthy and live a long, full life with the energy I need and without the health problems that I don't need.  That's all I'm asking!

August Robert Brandley

Quick update - yes, he has a name!  If you didn't already know this, Matt and Renee love music and they have named their adorable little boys with music in mind.  Jonas, after the Weezer song "My Name is Jonas," and Gibson, after the guitar.  Now, after much thought, August, after a lovely quote in the movie August Rush.

"You know what music is? God's little reminder that there's something else besides us in this universe, a harmonic connection between all living beings, every where, even the stars."


I love those little boys and I'm so excited for August to come out of the hospital soon and join us in the real world!

He's Here!!

My sweet, handsome little nephew was born Friday afternoon! 8lbs 5oz and 18" long. It's Renee's smallest yet. She is a CHAMP at being pregnant and giving birth. I swear. I wish I could be like her when I grow up, but I'm sure it's not going to go that way. Of course, she looked as beautiful as ever and she and Matt are so excited to have 3 little boys now. Clearly...I'm in love again <3



 Jonas loves his new little brother

Before we went to the hospital I asked Jonas what he was going to do with another little baby brother, and he said "I dunno" So I said "Hold him?" and he said "Sure. But we can't lose this one.  It's the last one we're gonna get."

 I was at the tail end of a cold and I didn't want to chance getting him sick, so I wore a lovely mask

This was from Friday night after he was born. We're bonding

Shredder and Michael (with his new nose...ooohhh ahhhh)

The little guy last night.  Out of the NICU and looking soooo cute!  I love his fuzzy hair.

And no, you didn't miss me telling you his name.  He doesn't have one yet, but he will soon!  It's hard naming a baby.  They have to have that name forever!  I'll keep y'all posted.

Life is Cyclical

See this??

It's a new leaf, and I'm turning it over!

Feelin' It

I was feelin' this today...that's all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TsR1yiAe9g

They wouldn't let me embed the video, so we're doing it old school style today.

What's a Girl to Do?

Well hey there friends! Guess who's home alone for a few days? Me!! I know it seems silly to be celebrating such a thing at 28, but it's a big deal for me right now. I've been living at home for the past almost 2 years, paying things off and keeping my madre company, and I really don't hate being home...but I've been itching to get a place of my own lately. So, hopefully these few days of living alone will tide me over until the end of the year when I really do move out by me onesie. So, what's a girl to do when she's alone for a few days, you ask? EVERYTHING!! Well, so far I've done laundry, made a deliciously healthy dinner, baked muffins, watched a movie, set up my new watch, did some yoga, and I plan on practicing a little guitar action before bed. No big deal, right?Welp, the past few weeks I've actually had stuff going on. Who knew?? So here are a few tidbits in no particular order.

- Ragnar (I know I already did this, but I got more pics, so I had to add them!):

Finishing my first leg

Finishing my last leg

Our whole van after we were all finished all 3 legs. Champs!

- We had a bunch of Canadian family in town recently, but this was the only night I took pics...of course. I also tried my cousin's husband's barefoot running shoes that night and they were very interesting. Kind of cool!

- I didn't get chosen in the lottery for the Nike Women's Half Marathon (wah wah...maybe next year), so I'm doing the Women's Run in Tempe, AZ in November instead. Anyone who wants to join, get on board!! My goal is to get down to 2 hrs flat in a Half by the end of the year. So we'll see how many it takes to get there with my new training schedule!

- I'm doing the Napa Valley Ragnar race in September with a different group of friends. It goes from San Francisco to Calistoga, so it's only 184 miles this time, but you get to run through Napa Valley. Gorgeous!

- I went snowboarding with Mitchel before Ragnar and it was a blast! I loooove Brighton! The snow was great and the weather got a little nippy and got windy, but I didn't care.

- Mitchel is teaching my how to play the guitar, so I'm learning The Civil Wars song "I've Got This Friend" that I posted a while ago. It's been really fun so far!

- I replaced Nano exactly with a wicked deal from Woot.com. Thanks to Mark for letting me know about it, bc it was a super sweet deal and now I am complete again!

- I WON my first giveaway contest! I've never won anything before, but I follow this food blog called Very Culinary that I am currently in love with and have made a few delectable dishes from. I entered to win her giveaway and I won and I was so excited!! And by excited, I mean absolutely giddy! Who wouldn't want a zester, magnetic measuring spoons and cups, and magnificent hand towels??

- My friend, Sarah, is taking me on as her first client and helping me out with a training schedule to become a faster runner, so I gave in and treated myself to the Garmin watch I've had my eye on. I can't wait to try it out in the morning! And yes, I know it's huge on my wimpy little wrist, but I have it on the last rung and everything! It fits quite comfortably.

- My friend, Megan P, got married last Tuesday and it was a beautiful and perfect day! I'm soooooo happy for her and Truman! They are the cutest couple and I heart them together. She is officially my last single girlfriend to join the ranks of the marrieds. Kinda weird to think of it that way!

- I went to Loveland, CO this past weekend to hang out with my BF from High School, Robyn. She has the sweetest little girl, and the best husband. They are seriously the cutest little family and I can't wait for them to have their second little girl in July. It was exactly the weekend I needed after such a busy month. We gardened and shopped and the weather was gorgeous all weekend! We went to old town Fort Collins and it was the neatest place. There were really cool old buildings and fun boutiques. It's all artsy and fun and I loved it! I'm such a slacker and didn't take out my camera, so I'll post pics when Robyn sends me hers.

- It's funny because every time I think of my friends and their husbands I'm always like, oh I want to be like them, no wait...them, no them. They all totally scored and have the best relationships. I am a lucky gal to have such awesome examples!

- After who knows how many years...13 maybe?? Michael finally got his nose fixed today. He had a septo and rhinoplasty, so he will now be able to breathe like a normal human being! Well...once the packing comes out and the swelling goes down, anyway. They had to take a graft from his rib to build his nose, so he essentially had 3 surgeries. He went in at 9:00 and they finished at 4:30. Crazy and intense, but he seems to be doing well. Super excited to see his transformation!

- I've been overcoming my fear of flour and baking lately. I made snickerdoodle muffins tonight and they definitely didn't turn out perfect, but I have to say they're not too bad for my first attempt!

- I played the dance game on XBox Kinect last night at Matt and Renee's and I'm pretty sure I rock at that game. I got 100% and unlocked something for them. I guess I'd better go back and help them out ;) It's soooo fun! And probably the only video game I've ever been remotely good at!

Ok, I think that pretty much does it for the latest scoop. Life is good and fun and exciting and I love it!