2010

I can't believe 2010 is practically over...here it is December 30, and It feels like it should only be about September...don't get me wrong...I am happy to have the glorious break from work (this year I called it the 13 Days of Christmas :)  try not to be jealous).  Anyhow...

Christmas was good.  We traveled to Columbia to see Jason's Dad and Stepmom and sister-we went out to dinner and then to the Zoo to see the lights.  Even though it was pretty cold, we had fun...until Hannah had a melt down-because she was tired, but as soon as we got her in the car under her blanket watching Nemo we were all better-in fact, she said- "I feel better now"  boy-is she a big girl going through her terrible 2's...here you can see Hannah in her "Nemo Coma"

Jason and me at the zoo

Hannah playing in her new tent and tunnel

On Christmas morning Hannah was super excited to see what Santa brought her. I was just excited to see her face as she opened all of her gifts...and boy did she get a lot of them...here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure



Hannah's new Balabce Bike





She sang Rock a Bye Baby to her new baby doll...it was so cute



me...in front of all of the Christmas trash...

After we got dressed we headed out to Jason's Grandma's house...where Hannah ate a rather large Banana





Then we left for Jason's Mom's house

Playing with whatever was on the window ledge

Cheese!



My Love




Up to no good



Opening Gifts

Jason stole part of Ty Ty gift

My niece Hayley

Silly In front of the tree

Hannah and Ty Ty

Merry Christmas

Then we left to go to My parent's house...which is where Hannah tried to take a nap butit was not successful so we left and came back for dinner...she did very well all day for not having a nap...and I think she was even tired of opening presents...though now everytime we go somewhere she says "Oh no!  Where are my presents?"  Hope she will soon realize that that is a special thing for Christmas...

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and have a Wonderful New Year!

Hit or Miss

I started this blog thinking it would be a great way to help everyone stay up to date with the Phalen Fam...but...not only have I been delinquent in updating regularly, but it does not appear that this is the route I am going to end up taking with this blog...so I am starting over-with Hit or Miss...you are going to just read about the random (and yet awesome) happenings of my everyday life...which surely will include my Fantastic Family and my Awesome Friends...
Below is a picture of Me and My Love :) We were in line waiting to ride Thomas the Train :)

So here we go.
I made my second attempt at spinning on Wednesday-now, the first time I tried this, I HATED it...my legs hurt, my bum hurt and I didn't want to sit for days...so I was quite reluctant to try it again...but I needed to in order for me to know if I truly didn't like it or if it was just that one experience that I didn't like...so I did it...and you know, it really wasn't that bad!  I kind of liked it-so much so that I am doing it again tomorrow-I did, however, tell my dad that if he was still in search of something to get me for Christmas, I would not mind a nice cushy gel seat to take with me to the class so my bum area doesn't have to be quite so sore for the next day...What made this spinning class so much better than the last one?  Well I have narrowed it down to a few things and in no particular order they are:
1) The music was AWESOME-it was like Heather picked the music for me-Warm up to Fergie and then climb to Britney Spears-don't mind if I do!  Seriously -I found myself singing along to most of the songs during the class that I didn't notice that my legs were burning
2) The instructor-Heather-now this is a tricky thing because Heather is my new Trainer-so I thought this was going to make or break us-but she was awesome and I am pretty sure I will only go back to her classes
3) The first class the instructor told me that either a) I have really big feet or b) I just have really wide shoes...and I looked at her and said-I am pretty sure they are really big feet inside of wide shoes...but seriously who says that to someone?  I don't really think I have abnormally large feet-they are about a 9...granted they are a little wider than most others-but not so wide that I can't wear normal sized shoes made for the general women's population
4) This class was 45 mins and not an hour-I don't know if the extra 15 mins last time is what did me in, but I appreciated the fact that I was only in there for 45 mins...
5) There were other new people in there as well...even though the first class i took was technically a beginners class, I swear they were all professional and they were also mostly "woo" girls...you know the ones...the girls who put themselves right in front of the mirror or right in front of the room and when the going gets tough they shout out "WOOOOO!!!" which then causing an immediate eye roll reaction from me...(and this is where I would also insert the statement of and I threw up in my mouth a little-but i don't want you to think that i was pushing myself to the point of throwing up during the class because I was CERTAINLY no where near that point-but you see where I am going with this right?  good...).


That's about it for Spinning right now...on to training. 
So as previously mentioned, Heather is my new trainer...and she is crazy hard core...yesterday we did legs...and my upper leg/lower bum area is entirely too sore right now...and I don't like it right now-I might be singing a different tune later when my thighs are smaller, but for now-ehhh...no bueno.  I have a training session tomorrow morning around 8:30...apparently, we will be doing abs...and then when we finish we will be spinning-I should be about as sturdy as a limp noodle by the time I leave the gym...let's hope Hannah wants to take a long nap when we get home.

Christmas is coming soon...and by soon, I mean in about a week...this year, Jason and I have decided that we aren't getting each other anything-instead we had a date weekend-Hannah stayed with her Granci (Jason's mom) and we organized the house, did a bit of shopping and went out to dinner and then downtown with some of my friends.  It was nice. 

Below are some pictures from our night out on the town for your viewing pleasure:

In the car on the way downtown

 At Pearlz

 Enjoying Date Night

This year, we are heading to Columbia to see Nana and Granda (Jason's dad and step-mom) then we will head back home for Christmas Eve Service (which I am COMPLETELY stoked about).  We are attending the 5pm service, and then I will be serving in the 7pm serivce :)  If you don't already have plans, you should come out to Coastal Community Church for one of the Services-you will not be disappointed! 
I am sure Jason is going to force Hannah to watch Claymation Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and then when I get home from Church, we will read our Christmas story...then Hannah will go down for the night...Christmas morning Hannah will open all of her gifts and then we will all get ready and head over to MawMaw and Poppi's (My mom and dad) and then over to see some more of Jason's family...Christmas is a pretty busy day for us, and I am already feeling tired just thinking about it!  Of course, all of that is contingent upon one Hannah Rose's nap schedule...a 2 year old can only stay in a good mood for so long you know...and by that, I mean my 2 year old needs a nap otherwise she is not a very nice girl...at all...
I have a new favorite Christmas joke (you should be aware of the fact that I like random (some might say lame) jokes...so prepare yourself)
What does the Gingerbread man put on his bed?


Ready?


Cookie Sheets...
I know-it's pretty awesome. 
I wish you and your family the Happiest of Holidays and please be safe!

100 Things

I am going to attempt to think of 100 random things about me...and lucky you-you get to read them!

1) I have 1 daughter-Hannah
2) I firmly believe that Hannah is the World's cutest toddler
3) I got married in March of 05
4) As of Sept. 2, 2010 Jason and have been together for 9 years
5) We have been married for 5.5 years
6) I am addicted to reality tv
7) I have an obsession with Vitamin Water Zero...
8) I am not so much a fan of regular vitamin water though
9) I have 2 dogs
10) one of the dogs sheds...a lot
11) I am currently located in SC
12) I would LOVE to move somewhere that actually has 4 seasons
13) fall is my favorite season
14) we really don't have a true fall season (sadly) in SC because it is soooooo hot
15) I really dislike hot weather...
16) One of my frequently said things is "And that's why we can't have nice things"
17) I have a BA in Psychology
18) I do nothing related to Psychology
19) Jason and I watch the Food Network all of the time
20) I always wanted to have 2 boys
21) until I got pregnant-now I am good with Hannah :)
22) I love the color red-as long as it is a blue based red
23) My favorite food is spaghetti
24) I used to hate wearing dresses
25) I wear dresses all of the time now
26) I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up
27) I love the Holiday Season
28) I love shopping
29) I am a bigger fan of buying things for other people than I am of buying things for myself
30) I am addicted to shopping online...seriously ask Jason
31) My College mascot is a Fighting Koala
32) I had some very good friends in college that sadly I am no longer friends with-for whatever reason
33) every few years I have an itch to move...
34) Jason hates when I get that itch
35) I loved high school and college-
36) I love school (judge me if you will)
37) I hate when it is too quite
38) I can't stand when it is so loud I can't think
39) I don't like places that are too crowded
40) I rarely wear make-up
41) I don't do outside
42) I will not go whitewater rafting with jason ever again...anyone else-sure-just not Jason
43) I call my niece everyday to find out how her day at school was
44) I love flip flops
45) I would live in flip flops, jeans, and a hoodie if I could
46) I do not have a land line
47) I love Law and Order SVU
48) I am watching an episode right now mostly for the background noise (see 37)
49) I slept with a stuffed animal until Hannah was about a week old
50) I stopped drinking caffeine when I found out I was pregnant with Hannah
51) I still don't drink caffeine
52) I probably would go crazy if I couldn't listen to music everyday
53) I hate doing dishes
54) When I brush my teeth-I sing a song in my head and frequently find myself dancing to it
55) I am distracted by bad teeth
56) I workout with a trainer 2 days a week
57) I am incredibly sore after those workouts
58) I really want to like running
59) I would love to run a marathon one day
60) but sadly I do not enjoy running at all
61) I never gave up on Britney Spears
62) I love babies
63) I do not like swimming in water I can't see through
63) I hate to hear Hannah cry
64) I hate is even more when Hannah is sick and I can't help her
65) My favorite sound is Hannah laughing
65) I bite my nails...and Jason hates it
66) I have a hair tie on my person at all times
67) I love to prove my point
68) I am sarcastic
69) being sarcastic is a gift-not everyone can handle it
70) sadly no one can tell when I am not trying to be sarcastic so it gets me in trouble a lot
71) I am an animated speaker
72) I cry when I hear something sad...
73) Please don't let that something sad be about a baby or a spouse-because then the crying lasts longer
74) I don't like scary movies
75) If I am forced to watch a scary movie it MUST be with someone, during the daytime with all of the lights on...seriously...
76) I was Bapitized on 03-07-09 with my daughter, niece, brother and nephew-one of the best days of my life
77) I love to take a nap
78) Everynight before Hannah goes to sleep we sing a song and say her prayers together
79) then we rock quietly in the chair in her room-hands down favorite time of the day
80) I called my mom yesterday to tell her Hannah went Peepee in her potty-and I was REALLY excited!
81) I hate driving-I am completely a passenger
82) I rarely forget a person I have met
83) I am really good with names
84) I love Starbucks
85) I really think my life would make an awesome reality show
86) I think Dancing with the Stars should be renamed to Dancing with famous people-but I don't watch it
87) I hate bananas
88) I will randomly say a movie quote
89) or sing some lyrics to a song during any conversation
90) I hate to see my friends going through bad times
91) I hate to hear people arguing
92) I would LOVE to win the lottery
93) but I don't play
94) I work with my dad
95) because we don't have the same last name-some people have no idea we are father and daughter
96) I love icecream
97) I LOVE college football (GAMECOCKS!)
98) I am obsessed with Fantasy Football
99) I have (an irrational) fear that while swimming in the ocean, I could be attacked by an alligator and a shark-at the same time (see 63a...because apparently i posted 2 63s-a bonus for you)
100) Khloe is my favorite Kardashian

Extreme Erin Makeover

So a few days ago I decided that I wanted to start a Blog...so I did...but now I struggle with what to blog about.  So I decided that I am going to start with me...Which means this is going to be a whole lot of thoughts strung together...and I don't know that it is going to follow any logical order, but if you know me, I generally type how I speak...which means I am going to be typing whatever comes to my mind...so here we go.
A little over a year ago I decided it was time for me to make a big change.  I was seriously over weight and not really happy.  I tried diets in the past and I really couldn't commit to any of them-blame it on lack of will power, some random event came up that would make me stray from the diet, I got sick, enter any excuse I could think of here...because I was afraid of failing...I am always afraid to let people down...but when I sat down to think about it-who was I really letting down-me...and I was sick of it. 
Jason, Hannah and I flew out to AZ for our friends' wedding.  I took a few things home with me (thoughts wise-not stuff wise) a) I could probably never live in AZ because in March it was already SUPER hot b) Hannah hated the heat-she literally threw up everyday...sometimes multiple times a day...and if you know Hannah-she doesn't tend to gt sick too often (knock on wood-let's hope that doesn't change-only right now I am pretty sure she is coming down with a cold...ugh there I go...sorry) c) I was fat.  Seriously.  Don't just roll your eyes and say-oh my gosh-she is so dramatic, because I am not-according to my BMI I was on the verge of being Morbidly obese.  Anyway, so I was looking through the photos I took from our vacation, and would say to myself-ew, that is a bad picture of me...whoa-that one is even worse-holy smokes! Who was taking such awful pictures of me...and then it hit me-it was the pictures making me look so bad-it was me...I just looked bad.
I had been in denial about it for a while.  When I would go shopping, if I had to buy a bigger size I would just think that the clothes ran smaller in that store-regardless of what store I was in...and since I was doing less and less shopping-mostly because I knew deep down nothing would look nice-the picture I had in my head of what I looked like did NOT match the pictures I saw of myself from that vacation. 
I was mortified that I let myself get that way...and the saddest part was that I was even bigger just eight months earlier...granted, it was because I was 9 months pregnant-BUT I was by no means in shape before I got pregnant.  (now I feel like I need to back track a bit)
I gained about 34 pounds while I was pregnant...and I lost all of it within 2 months of having Hannah.  I hoped that losing the rest of the weight would be easy...but it wasn't.  My body wasn't the same after Hannah was born...any woman who has ever been pregnant knows what I am talking about...unless you are one of those naturally skinny women who can eat whatever they want and still look great-then I am not talking about you...I kid I kid-you too might have struggled-who I am to judge...anyway...I digress...
So after looking at those pictures I looked at Jason and said "I've had it-this has got to change..." And so I began my battle against weight loss...It was (and still is) a very difficult process.  I had to reprogram the way I thought about food...I HAD to stop eating out of boredom... and I needed to exercise... (again with the need to backtrack)
I had a membership to a gym...Only I couldn't figure out a way to balance my guilt of not spending time with Hannah and my need to get myself healthy...One day at the gym I broke down and cried because I couldn't wrap my mind around everything that I needed to do to get the results I wanted (and yes, it was quite embarrassing).  While we were in AZ I was introduced to the Wii...ahhh the Wii...We bought a Wii the day we came home from AZ...
Alright, so I started writing down everything I ate...and when I say everything I mean EVERYTHING.  If I couldn't find the nutritional information for the food I considered eating, I didn't eat it.  I needed to make sure I was holding myself accountable for everything that I ate...and let me tell you, if there is one key to weight loss success-it is writing down what you eat-call it a food journal-call it an accountability diary-call it a pain in the rear-but it really does help!  I didn't even really use the Wii for the first 2 weeks...I just monitored what I ate VERY closely.  We didn't go out to eat-we cooked every meal at home...I learned the art of portion control-also important when you are not on a diet that supplies prepackaged foods...
So in about 3 weeks, I decided that I was going to start using my Wii Fit.  It was a slow process, and let me tell you, if you actually use the Wii Fit, and don't just play the random balance games-you can lose weight with it-I know because I did.  As I unlocked the newer aerobic exercises I found myself wanting to do more-this was such a great compromise!  I could come home from work-play with Hannah and then when she went to sleep I could do my Wii Fit workout!  About 5 months into it I started going to the Gym-some afternoons and Saturday mornings. 
I found myself actually sad on days that I couldn't make it to the gym.  Eating less and working out just started coming naturally-when I would eat foods that were not healthy I would feel sick.  I did it!  I reprogrammed the way I thought about food.  On Hannah's first birthday I had lost over 80 pounds (including the baby weight) I cannot believe that I was able to do that.  I had reached my first goal (with a lot of support from family and friends and a ton of dedication) and even set a second goal. 
Well, I hit a road block in my battle recently.  I got comfortable with myself, and I slacked off on my diet and exercise plan...and I have noticed that I am starting to go back into my "fat funk" I know I am not as big as I used to be-but as someone recently said to me-Perception is reality...and that is the perception I have of myself, and I am scared that I could go right back to the way I was before- and I just can't let that happen. 

So, as I mentioned before-I am still fighting the difficult weight loss battle...and it isn't easy.  If it was an easy process, we would all be super models...and let's face it-very few of us are...so I am going to get back on track because If I can't take care of myself-how in the world will I be able to take care of anyone else?  I need to finish my battle for me and for Hannah-she deserves to have a mom who can chase after her or crawl around with her-or just keep up with her in general...so I am back on the wagon people...fingers are crossed that I stay there until I am at my goal-my second goal...Because I want to buy some new clothes-and not because my pants scream at me when I try to put them on- but because they are too big to stay on my waist :)  Below Is a picture of me in September of 09

So now that I am commencing with Extreme Erin Makeover-I also need to makeover the Inner Erin too...I struggle with trying to make everyone happy...mostly because I am afraid to let people down...I can't live with the disappointment that I cause in other people because of some decision that I chose-or didn't choose...But for a very long time, I have wanted to figure out a way to make a better me...Enter Coastal Community Church.

For a while now I have wanted to find a church that felt like home to me.  A co-worker of mine sent an email to my dad (who then forwarded it to me) telling him about The Charleston Egg Drop-sponsored by Coastal Community Church.  I checked out their website, saw that Jason was off that weekend and decided to sign Hannah up.  We headed out there the Saturday before Easter and let Hannah run around.  She had a lot of fun.  While we were there, we received a flyer of sorts, that invited us to attend the Easter service the next day.  While we did not attend the Easter Service, I did decide that I was going to make every effort to attend the following Sunday's service-to see what it was like. 

Jason had to work that Sunday so it was just me and Hannah...as soon as I parked the car I felt welcomed!  A member of the 1st Impressions team came out to greet us and tell us where we should go.  I cannot put into words how I just felt like I was immediately a part of the congregation.  Hannah and I have gone back every Sunday since then (Jason goes on the weekends he is off).  I love it- For the first time in a VERY long time I am excited to go to church.  I look forward to every Sunday morning to hear the message...and every week it is amazing.  I never once feel like I have to check my watch to see what time it is...as in, I don't feel like the service drags on and on...

I was reading a blog of a lovely young woman I went to college with-who inspired me to challenge myself to read the Bible.  While she has chosen to read the Bible in a year-I have opted to take baby steps and "wet my feet" if you will, with a modified version of it.  I am reading the key stories of the Bible in chronological order in 61 days.  The plan came from BibleGateway.com.  When I finish the reading plan I am going to go back and choose a different plan so I can get a different take on things.  I am really enjoying it.  I feel like I am on the way to really completing Extreme Erin Makeover...

Hello!

Welcome!  I created this blog so people who are interested in keeping up with the everyday happenings of the Phalen Fam are able to.  I lead a pretty boring life-and the people in it make it exciting.  So here we go! 

So as it stands, The Phalen Fam consists of Hannah, Jason, River, Kali and me.  Hannah is a professional doer of all things cute, including but not limited to, trying on all of my shoes, sunglasses, hats, scarves, makeup, and accessories in general.  Jason is a police officer-and has been since before we were married.  He is an extreme University of South Carolina fan, and loves all things spicy... River and Kali are both graduates of Dog Training in Your Home...you wouldn't know it though-if you were to come over, they would lead you to believe that they are never fed or given any attention-all lies-in fact, I know for sure they are hand fed by One, Hannah Phalen-I have personally witnessed Hannah pick up pieces of their food and feed them one by one to each of the dogs...no matter how much we ask her not to, but she is a giver like that...other than being a mom to the world's cutest toddler, I administer government contracts for a living.  It is a far cry from what I ever thought I wanted to do with my life, but no one ever really knows what they are meant to do until God reveals it. 

I cannot believe that Hannah is almost 2. I feel like she is growing up too quickly and I am not okay with that. I would like for Hannah to be my little girl forever, but it seems, almost daily, that she feels the need to remind me that she is a big girl and is no longer a baby. People constantly ask me when I am going to have Baby #2. My answer is generally this: How can I have another baby? I mean, seriously, how would that baby feel knowing that its older sibling is the world's cutest toddler? Sibling rivalry right out of the womb-it can't be healthy. Also, Hannah is not much of a sharer...she does not like to share any attention with anyone else...ever...Also...there is no room in our current house for another baby...I also believe that both River and Kali will attempt to harm us in our sleep if we were to bring another baby into their space...so please, people, until you hear otherwise, please just assume that baby #2 is nowhere in the near future-otherwise you will upset the dogs...

It is hard for me to believe that it is already May. Seriously, after January, generally, the first part of the year seems to drag on until Memorial Day. For me, I do not get a Paid Day Off from work until May 31st. Which is probably why the first part of the year seems to last forever. This year has been different. I feel like the last 5 months have flown by. Don't get me wrong, I am still very much looking forward to my day off-because it means more quality time with my Hannah :)

Alright, I feel that this is a good start for now, so let's see how frequently I remember to provide updates!