We squeezed 25 people into 1,600 square feet...

...and I may actually be stretching it a little to say our house is 1,600 square feet. Perhaps it is if you count the garage!

Vaught turned two on Sunday, and we had such an amazing time celebrating him!

Sliding into 2 like...

Last year, we rented a pavilion at our city park for his birthday party. Although the party was fantastic, I didn't want to have his birthday party at separate venue we had to decorate and tear down and go through all the trouble of getting decorations and party supplies (my in-laws were an enormous help for both his birthday parties, as they took care of most of this for us).

I don't mind messes, but this year I decided that if I was going to clean up a mess, I'd much rather it be in my own house. I wanted to have the option to leave it be a few days if I didn't feel like cleaning up right after the party (I did though, and I'm glad I got it out of the way)!

What do two-year-olds love more than a giant bounce house?! Aside from an empty cardboard box, nothing! We rented a bounce house from iBounce Rentals in Memphis. They brought the bounce house to us that morning and set it up in under ten minutes; they are fast!

Our guests began arriving around 1, though the party didn't officially start until 2. We had family and friends (mostly family!) come from all over to celebrate Vaught. His great-grandparents from Meridian were there, and we had a couple of friends who drove over an hour to party with us.

L-R: Grandmommy, Buck (Eric's dad), Vaught, and Eric

I'm not exactly sure if Vaught knew what was going on, but that boy had a blast! He could have played in the bounce house all day. Like me, his little face turns blood-red if he's outside for too long, so we did have to take a few cool-down breaks. I believe the temperature hit ninety-six during the birthday party. It was HOT.

My nephew, Rylan, and my brother, Joe Keith

We did presents and cake around three o'clock then played some more in the bounce house. Some of us grownups got in the bouncey castle too, but we could only hang for a few minutes. I miss that about being a kid--the heat never bothers them!

Vaught and Darby are besties when they see one another!

Friends don't let friends open presents alone!

Hanging out in his new recliner!

We had a blast at his party this year, and I'm so thankful for our family and friends who came from near and far to celebrate! Thank you for squeezing into our tiny house and for helping us slide into two years old!

We love and appreciate all of you!

26 Things I Learned While Being 25

Technically, I just completed my 26th year of living and am now working to complete my 27th, so don't let this post confuse you (yes, I'm 26 years old).
In no particular order, here are 26 things I learned in my 26th year.

1. Playing with fire gets you burned.
2. There is never a "right time.." For anything.
3. You absolutely must put your family first.
4. Being selfish is okay too.
5. If you hate what you're doing every day, it's imperative that you do something different.
6. People love to talk about what they don't know about.
7. If most people are really skeptical about it, it's probably a good idea.
8. You don't have to agree with everyone, but listen to what they have to say.
9. In America, you can make a career out of being offended.
10. You cannot do the same thing over and over and expect different results.
11. People treat you how they feel about you; listen to them.
12. It is okay to be angry; it is never okay to be cruel.
13. Always have a backup plan.
14. Goals are important. Don't throw them around, and don't let anyone make you feel bad about them. Get a few. Share them. Make them known.
15. Some people just plain suck.
16. Helping others is an amazing way to spend your time.
17. You don't really need the burger and the fries. You'll be just as satisfied with a salad or veggies.
18. Milkshakes make even the worst days a little better.
19. You absolutely have to pay your bills on time.
20. I don't really care who uses what bathroom at Target. I'm going to shop there anyway.
21. We're all a little broken, really.
22. Compassion is a quality in only the best people.
23. You'll never regret that workout you really don't feel like doing.
24. Don't skip your mortgage to buy the bag... Don't do it, Kate.
25. I can handle anything.
26. I'm much stronger than I thought at 25 or 24 or 16.

My Top FIVE Favorite Healthy, Wholesome Snacks!

"Snack" is probably one of my favorite words. I like the way it rolls off the tongue and that the word itself sounds exactly like what it is: something small and simple to hold your rumbling tummy over until the next meal. Being a stay-at-home mom, I am the queen of snacks; at the same time, I can sometimes get a little lazy with putting nutritious, healthy eats together for Vaught and me in between meals. I catch myself pouring sugar-laden cereal in a cup for Vaught, or grabbing some tator tots for him at the drive-thru.

Thankfully, I do have a few of my favorite snacks on hand that are quick yet wholesome and perfectly healthy for busy moms like me--don't worry, they're toddler-approved too!

1. Low Fat String Cheese & Nuts
This protein-packed snack keeps me going, especially in the midst of a long afternoon, when dinner is still a couple hours away. Vaught can eat an entire string of cheese to himself; like me, he loves peeling it off in pieces and eating a little at a time! Almonds are probably my favorite kind of nut, and just a handful of them (remember 1/4 a cup is a serving!) is plenty to keep my tummy satisfied until dinner time!

2. Baby Carrots & Peanut Butter
Even if you swap the carrots for apple slices or celery sticks, this snack is just as good! I love the fiber I'm getting from carrots, combined with the subtle sweetness and protein in peanut butter. It's the perfect combination! And who doesn't love peanut butter?! Sometimes if I need just a little bit more, I'll add half a glass of cold milk to this mini-meal, and it really does hit the spot!

3. Cucumbers & Hummus
I discovered hummus  my sophomore year of college at my sorority house, and the rest is history... I am OBSESSED with hummus and like all kinds, from garlic roasted, to pine nut and spicy hummus! We had a hummus and pita bread bar at my sorority house for lunch every Friday, but now I choose to dip cucumber slices instead of salty, carb-loaded pita bread or chips. 

 

4. Avocado
Ahh! Avocados are probably my favorite food and definitely my favorite fruit! I enjoy these by themselves or with just a dab of salsa on top. I love the creamy, smooth texture of one that's perfectly ripe!

5. Lärabar® Bites and Fruit/Nut Bars

Is there anything better than a healthy, wholesome snack that's conveniently packaged for a busy mom?! I am so grateful to have visited my Sam's Club and discovered these incredible snacks that are perfect for Vaught and I when we're on the go! Lärabar® believes that the foundation of a sound mind, body and spirit is derived from what you eat - and what you eat is most delicious and satisfying when it's in a whole, natural state. Any other moms agree?!


They believe that everyone, no matter who you are, deserves to eat great food. That's why their passion is creating delicious, convenient snacks made from just a few simple ingredients everyone can enjoy.

To this day, the Lärabar team continues to be inspired by Lara’s vision. Their Original Fruit & Nut Food Bars are made with only a few, recognizable ingredients, are minimally processed, and are GMO free.

The Lärabar® Chocolate Macaroon Bites are just as fabulous, made with a few simple ingredients that are healthy for me and, of course, toddler-approved! I love that I am familiar with every one of the simple ingredients that go into Lärabar® Bites and Fruit and Nut Bars!

You can learn more about Lärabar and their products by visiting their website here.

I encourage you to visit your local Sam's Club to stock up on some of the delicious snacks Lärabar has to offer! I am so glad I discovered Lärabar and have made them one of my top favorite snacks!

The Fitness Update You Weren't Expecting

I told you guys several weeks ago I'd get a body update to you soon... So here it is! (Ha...ha). 

However, this one is a little different from what you're probably used to, for I'm not talking about weight I've lost today. I'm putting it all out there, something you're probably used to already, and going in the opposite direction: weight gain. It happens to ALL of us at some point in our lives. And it also happens to all of us at some point in our journeys. I'm not exempt from it. 

This is me admitting that it's happened to me recently. From the beginning of July to early August, I gained about 10 pounds. I've put on 18 pounds since my lowest weight in mid-February. 

Go ahead; let is sink in. And enjoy this picture of me when I was nearly twenty pounds lighter in earlier this year (eye roll).

I can't write a lifestyle and fitness blog and avoid talking about the setbacks, especially when they happen to me. I can't be the blogger who pretends it's all good, when really, I've been riding the struggle bus. That's not who I am, and I feel like you all know that. 

I'd been avoiding the scale, refusing to weigh, and just telling myself I would start eating well again, taking my vitamins, and I'd weigh in a couple weeks and never even know the whole spill happened. 

But I kept making unhealthy decisions, telling myself "tomorrow will be better... Okay Friday... Okay I'm starting Monday for sure!"

Does this sound familiar?? 

My friend Chelsie let me borrow this book called Skinny School (written by the same author of Wife School, which she'd let me borrow previously). Don't turn your nose up at Skinny School just yet (I don't like the word "skinny" as much as the next girl), but the whole premise of the book is to re-train the main character, Jackie's, mind to think about food in a new way. Like me, she had been using food as a coping mechanism for emotional distress pretty much her whole life. (Aside from the fact that she's a single girl, Jackie is literally me).

A genie comes (if you've read Wife School, you know about him) to take her on a course through Skinny School to teach her how to have a healthy relationship with food that's going to help her lose weight, as well as draw her closer to God. It's a funny, light-hearted read, and I love that's it's a Christian approach to weight loss and healthy habits. 

I got a lot out of reading the book... So much, in fact, that the second I finished reading it, I started all over again! I could sit and talk about this book for hours!

I've been giving in to my inner Demanding Child (Skinny School) and letting her convince me that one treat is okay. Another plate of chips and dip is okay. Another ice cream won't hurt, and so on. It's so discouraging to think back on all the times I've let her run the show lately, especially when considering all the progress I've made in the nearly 2 years it's been since having my son.

I've not completely regressed to my pre-pregnancy weight, but when I weighed last week, I saw a number I haven't seen in a year, and it was exactly what I needed to get myself back on the wagon and out of this "fat funk." Sometimes I don't concern myself with the number, but right now I have to because it's not healthy for me, at all.

I've cut down on carbs and sugar (I was overloading bad) and already feel so much better and have lost a little weight. Some people turn their nose up when I say I try to stay away from carbs and sugar, but the fact of the matter is that our bodies just don't need them, and if you're carrying around excess weight like I am (like more than half of Americans are), you would probably benefit from a carb reduction too. I'm aiming for 50 or less grams of carbohydrates a day and no more than 20 grams of sugar.


So what am I eating? All of the lean meats and veggies I want! I eat cheese and even have heavy cream in my coffee (my favorite)! Cutting carbs as a tendency to freak so many people out, but I focus more on all of the amazing things I can eat and not the ones I'm staying away from. It helps that I absolutely love vegetables; they're so good for you and yummy when roasted, pan-seared, sautéed, baked, you name it!

I hate regression, but it happens, and it happens to all of us. Health and fitness are priorities in my life though, and I'm glad that I recognized a problem creeping in before it got worse. I've amped up my workouts and am eating well and ready to continue progressing in the right direction.

Gym time for this mama!

Don't let a setback get you down because that's all it is--a setback! Get back on the wagon and focus on your goals.

Keep pushing. Love you all!

How I Really Feel About It

You guys should see my drafts folder on my Blogger account. It's ridiculous. Really, I should be sitting here (here as in Starbucks) working on some of the drafts that are months and months in progress, but something else is weighing heavy on my heart tonight.

Yesterday, August 3rd, most of the schools in my area began their new school year. For the past week, I've watched as my teacher friends, veterans and rookies, trekked back to their respective classrooms to ready them for the new school year. New teachers can't wait to get going; lots of the older ones are already counting the days til summer break next year. Some of them try to hide their excitement, but I know how good it feels to get back in the routine at school!

Then there's me. Simple, little me, with not even four full years of experience, convinced one hundred percent that I just wasn't meant to do the thing I set out to do seven years ago. I remember being the most eager, excited person in the world summer 2012. I spent hundred of dollars on my new classroom, while purchasing a house at the same time. I just knew I was going to be the best teacher...

Until I wasn't.

I've talked about my experience on the blog a few times, so I don't have to go into all of that any longer, but it seems that everything negative from my first semester as a teacher created a snowball effect in my career and it was all downhill from there.

I do miss it sometimes. I  miss the kids and the relationships. I miss the days when I taught really spectacular lessons and had my kids really engaged. I miss helping young people understand things in a new way and learn new words and accomplish something that made them feel good about themselves...

I can't help but feel a little bit jealous because the truth is that I sometimes wish it had been for me. I wish the bad experiences hadn't happened. I wish I'd done things differently my first year. I wish I'd been less afraid of speaking up. I wish I hadn't quit on those sixth graders in February. I wish, I wish, I wish...

I guess the one thing I can't regret, despite what it costs, was not quitting on me. I tried so hard for four years and I couldn't make myself the teacher I'd dreamt of being. People kept telling me, "Give it one more year... Give it until year five..." Give it this, give it that, it wasn't happening. I knew in my heart something wasn't right, and I was the only one who could change it.

I realized life was too short to be as unhappy as I was all the time. I realized I was meant for something more than the mental torture I inflicted upon myself daily. I realized I didn't have to hurt anymore if I didn't want to.

I'm so much happier now doing what I do. I have a job I am proud of, and I work hard each day and love sharing my work with others. But a part of me will always be a teacher, always. A part of me will always love admiring the new school supplies Target puts on display in July, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, the sound of kids chattering, and of course the part where I stand up in front of people and teach them something new.

But it wasn't for me. Despite almost being done with a master's degree in education, teaching wasn't for me, and I'm okay with it. You've got to get out there and do you, right? Figure yourself out. Go teach and fall in love with it. Go teach and discover that you hate it.

Go forth and be amazing. Make mistakes and find what it is you are truly passionate about, and do that. The climb is worth the view in the end.


Kate

The Beach and Life Lately

Oh, hey! I'm going to skip my cute blog-starters where I talk about how busy I've been and how crazy life's been and how I promise I'm going to become a better blogger.

I've just been putting my home-based business first and have been working my booty off on building it up! Y'all, if you're not on my ItWorks team, can you please tell me WHY?

Again, we're playing catch-up because so much has happened!

I left on Thursday, July 7th, for my best friend Tyler's bachelorette bash on the beach (there a good alliteration for ya) in Orange Beach, Alabama. We had such an amazing time; I was so sad it had to end!

Unfortunately while I was with my friends at the beach, I learned that my weiner dog, Ginger, passed away. I  knew before I left Wednesday night that she wasn't in good shape; she was moving really slowly and just wasn't herself. I loved on her and kissed her goodbye, but I still never imagined she'd pass while I was gone. My husband wrapped her in a blanket and drove her to my parents' house to bury her. I will miss my little girl, who would have been 16 in November, but I know my Nannie is loving on her in Heaven.

I love that the bachelorette trip ran right into my family vacation; my parents arrived in Orange Beach Saturday afternoon, so my mom picked me up from the beach house early Sunday morning (7:30 is early when you're hungover). 

Eric and Vaught arrived Sunday afternoon and we checked into our condo, about half a mile from where my parents and family were staying. We spent the week sleeping at our condo, but the rest of the day was with my family. We lounged by the pool and circled countless loops in the Lazy River at the condo. It was so relaxing--just what I needed!! 

My parents allowed Eric and I a date night Wednesday night, which we enjoyed very much! We had a burger at The Gulf, this really fabulous restaurant right on the beach, then went for coffee and ice cream after. 

We left for home Friday morning around 8. After having been gone more than a week, it felt so good to be home! It's funny how we need a vacation sooo bad sometimes, then once it's over we're so ready to get back to the familiar. I'm excited to get Vaught and I back into a routine this week! 

I'm really sorry I didn't get a bikini pic for y'all like I did last year (LOLz). Before vacation, I'd not been eating so well and of course I slacked off while we were at the beach (because treat yo'self is a thing). Since we've returned home, I've been eating super clean (low carb again!) and drinking lots of water. I carefully watched my carb intake back in February and March and lost so much weight and felt amazing doing this, so I want to do it again and get back on track with my weight loss.

I'm not focusing so much energy on losing weight anymore, but I know I still need to lose a little in order to be healthier. I'm really comfortable in my skin and the size I am right now, and that's so important and keeps me going on the days I have slip-ups, but I realize what my body needs in order for it to be even stronger and healthier. 

In the next week or so, I'm going to try to get a good fitness update on the blog! I'll keel you posted!

I hope you all have a fabulous week! Tell me a little about your summer vacation in the comments!!

Love to you!

It's Official: I Totally Get the Lululemon Craze

If you're not familiar with Lululemon Athletica, you've been living under a rock. If you are, you feel one of two ways about it: one, you're a current customer and are completely obsessed. And two, you would never in a million years purchase this over-priced active wear when there's perfectly good stretchy pants at Target. 

I get it, I do.

I've known about Lulu for a few years now, but didn't know where I'd ever purchase anything, besides online, and aside from ordering things from Nike now and then (because I know exactly how Nike fits me, every time), I knew I'd never order anything from Lulu online. It wasn't until fairly recently that I discovered a Lululemon store just a few miles from my home, so when I had an appointment at a business near the store, I had to stop by on my way out!

I was surprised at how cute and cozy this Lululemon store was! There were several girls working, who immediately came to my attention to help me find what I was looking for. And I didn't really know what I was looking for! I told them I enjoy running, as well as lifting weights, but that it was hard to find great running pants. And I was kinda picky about them too!

One of the girls began grabbing a few pair of running leggings for me to try, and she literally nailed it on the head; I loved everything I tried on!

I had to narrow it down to just two pair of pants; I got these and these (pictured below)!

The first pair are the Pace Rival Crop pants. It's like they were made for me, quite literally (I mean, my last name is Pace)! I pulled them on and jumped and wiggled around; they didn't budge. They are a high-rise crop  pant that come over my belly button, which is exactly what I want in my workout pants! I knew they would be perfect for weight-lifting and running, and I was right; these pants do not budge at all! I have yet to have to pull them up or adjust them while working out! I'm seriously in love with them!

The second pair I just so happened to see before I left the store; they looked like a comfortable, easy jogger pant. Perfect for lounging or running errands and what do ya know? That's exactly what they're meant for! The Jet Crop Luxtreme pant is perfect for a busy mom on the go or just hanging out. I love styling mine with sneakers or flip flops and a slouchy t-shirt. I've found that this look is perhaps the one I wear best!

One thing that was new to me was the sizing. Typically active wear is sized as S, M, L, XL, but Lululemon's sizes range from 2-12, with 2 equaling an XXS and 12 equaling an XL. The sizes do run fairly small, but I was still amazed at how well everything I tried on fit! I am a 12 in the Pace Rival Crop and a 10 in the Jet Crop!

I really wish I could have bought more; I would have purchased nearly everything in store! But I'm always in need of great active pants, so I got exactly what I needed!

I will definitely be back to Lululemon to get more next month! I totally get the craze now; I'm a new Lulu addict!