Our NOLA Top 10

My husband and I just got back from a four night stay in New Orleans. Yes - without our children. Although we missed them like crazy, it was really nice to spend time together- just the two of us!

Our primary reason for the destination was a fitness conference, but neither of us had ever been and we made sure we found lots of time to play tourist.

Here are our Top recommendations if you ever visit - in no particular order ❤️

1. Two Chicks Walking Tours Cemetery Tour - One thing to note is that you need a certified tour
   
   guide to get into the cemetery, so don't just think you can show up and waltz right in. You can thank all the hudlums who vandalized the graves. Anyway, our group met at a tiny cafe where you could use the restroom and they had umbrellas for you to use as they go rain or shine. They're free, though so we could return our $30It worth of ponchos to the Sheraton Hotel giftshop! Also, bring cold water and plenty of it. It gets super hot and humid and there's little to no breeze. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot!
2. Mercedes Benz Superdome was one of the main conference venues, so while we didn’t witness a sporting event there, it was incredible nonetheless. If you’ve never been in a dome stadium, it’s worth it. It’s absolutely MASSIVE. The Smothie King Center is also right next door if you wanted to try and hit two birds with one stone.
3. Acme Oyster House is known for their hand-shucked oysters, but I’ll be honest, I wasn’t brave enough to try them :) The ones the table right next to us ordered, however, smelled and actually looked amazing! I stuck with red beans and rice and smoke sausage - a Louisiana staple.
4. Cafe du Monde Ah-mazing! Give me fried dough rolled in powdered sugar all the days! Beignets for the win! We stood in the to-go line for about 30 minutes, so of course we had to order two orders to make it worth our while :) The to-go line is cash only - so be prepared! That would be terrible to get close enough to smell them and have to walk away :( If we had had more time, we definitely would have stayed and gotten a table. Superb people watching! PS you can buy the mix to make your own beignets at home!!
5. Jackson Square is a must! It's in the heart of the French Quarter and sits right next to the Missisippi River. You can count on live music, artists and beautiful architecture including the stunning St. Louis Cathedral and is designated as a National Landmark. If you're looking for a relaxing afternoon this is where you want to be. While there are lots of tourists, you'll still be able to find a quiet spot to relax take it all in.
6. St. Louis Cathedral Catholic or not, this Cathedral is a must-see. It stands tall and proud in Jackson Square and boasts a rich history that dates back to the 1700s. Mass is still said there and the church still allows weddings, so there are "hours" for tourists as far as just viewing the church. Photography is allowed and I highly encourage it - just be respectful :)
7. 
   GW Finns This was hands down my FAVORITE place we ate. It does have a collared shirt dress code for men, but they have some on hand - at no cost - if you forget. The drinks were potent and the food was AMAZING. I ordered the Local Drum and would have licked the plate had it been socially acceptable. My better half ordered the Pork Chop which was also very good. And let's talk about the biscuits that melted in your mouth...pretty sure I ate at least half a dozen - oops! They just kept bringing them out and I do love my carbs :) I also had the Bird Dog Peach Old-Fashioned cocktail which was quite potent. It's probably the reason I had six biscuits.
8. WWII Museum My better half took the better half of one day and toured the National WWII Museum, which also was pretty close to our hotel. Plan to spend several hours there to see everything. The museum was fascinating - it lays out the war in chronological order - including the events leading up to the war. The Final Mission Submarine experience was an extra $5 but was a little disappointing. It was awkward because they try to assign you tasks that you would perform as part of the sub, but if you did that, you missed out on the video that was playing above you.
9. 
   Bourbon Street - 21st Amendment Bar You didn't think I'd leave Bourbon Street off the list, did you? We were told to try and stay away from Bourbon Street after dark, but we're rebels and were in a fairly large group - aka safety in numbers - so we did ok. This is a pretty low key place with live music where you can just go chill without the craziness that I feel the rest of Bourbon street is while still feeling like you've still got it :)
10. The Blake Hotel This is where we stayed. It was a pretty centralized location - with a lovely cafe/restaurant inside the hotel and a Starbucks and other little cafe just steps away. The convention center and Superdome were in opposite directions, but only about a mile away - as were Canal Street shopping etc. The hotel also has ice water in the lobby 24/7 which is awesome since it's so hot this time of year. And while most people wouldn't think much about this, the fitness center was fairly large with free weights and a view! And it was steps away from our room on the 11th floor. Our room wasn't huge by any stretch, but it was clean, the staff was friendly and we didn't have any issues. I'd definitely stay there again!

How about a BONUS? Be sure to check our Mother's. It's definitely touristy, but the food is good and it's a fun atmosphere - for my Kansas City peeps, it reminded me of Gates. They're famous for their baked ham - so make sure someone in your party orders it!

Ok - so that's a wrap! Bottom line, I'd definitely go back. We saw and experienced a lot, but there's a lot more to see!

She's more than just "our girl"

We always said we wanted one of each - a boy and a girl that is- and we'd stop at four. As if we really had any say in the matter. That was our story and we were sticking to it. Easy peasy, right?

It took us over a year to get pregnant with Christian. By the time we decided to try for number two, we were surprised, pleasantly surprised, with how quickly it happened! Baby boy number two was on his way. We welcomed Nolan a short 20 months after Christian :)

Christian McCoy

Nolan Augustus

Life with two boys was an adventure. Two totally different personalities made for lots of fun but also chaos. Life was great. It really was. And yet the questions from people ensued... When were we going to try for "our girl".

We ignored them. We took our time and enjoyed our boys. When WE were ready, we would try for baby number three. In July of 2013 we discovered I was pregnant! We were so excited and although we knew better, shared our excitement early on with the boys. We called our baby Baby Bean ❤️

But early on, I felt in my heart something wasn't right. I kept telling Justin I didn't FEEL pregnant. I tried to brush off the overwhelming feelings, but they wouldn't go away. When we went in for our first ultrasound, our worst fear was confirmed. I can still hear the words,"I'm sorry guys, I can't find a heartbeat." Although this was the same beloved, trusted doctor who had delivered Christian and Nolan, when he asked if we wanted a second opinion, we said yes, clinging to any shred of hope. Immediately following that appointment we went to a building close by the hospital for a second ultrasound. Same result: no heartbeat.

Miscarriage is rarely talked about. Unfortunately, now I can understand why. It is the single hardest thing our marriage has had to endure thus far. I blamed myself. I hated the world. I took comfort in knowing our baby was with God and yet still questioned Him: WHY? Justin and I argued a lot. We did. I tried to shut him out. We were both in so much pain and trying to figure out our own feelings and at the same time explain to the boys what had happened. I often cried on the way to taking them to school. It was a nightmare. I think about our baby every day and wonder what would have been.

But here's the thing, and ultimately the reason for me sharing our journey, God has a plan for each of us.  I really believe that. And so days away from our our little girl turning two, I've been reflecting a lot on God's plan for our family. I can't wrap my brain around knowing God knew all along Soria was coming.

After losing our baby, it took us close to another year to get pregnant with Soria. We held our breath during that first ultrasound and cried tears of joy when we heard her tiny heart beat for the first time. We were crazy excited when we found out she was a she! Although, we didn't think we were capable of having girls, so we had multiple ultrasounds done to confirm :)

Other than the usual aches and pains associated with pregnancy, everything was smooth sailing until the day she was born.

I was induced the morning of June 10th 2015. After they broke my water things moved really fast. So fast the epidural didn't do much at all :(  And then after thinking all was good, our world stood still.

I can close my eyes and picture it like it was yesterday. I knew something was not right.  I  never looked up but I could feel the presence of multiple people surround me. And then it became clear. Her shoulders were stuck. I kept my eyes closed and focused in on my doctor's voice. I only listened to her.

I'm honestly not sure how much time passed before she was out, but they quickly held up her seemingly lifeless body for a very brief moment before taking her away. Justin didn't get to cut the cord; I didn't get to hold her.

We heard someone say to page Dr something, and without knowing who that really was, we knew he was the neonatal dr on call, the office we had walked past multiple times that morning, never thinking we'd meet him... all I could do was cry and pray.

After a small eternity had passed, we finally heard her cry. She was bruised up, but otherwise ok! I give all the credit to Dr. Blevins She quickly took control of the situation, yet was calm throughout the whole ordeal and in turn kept us calm and reassured. (Dr. Peck, thank you for leaving me in such capable hands. Rest in peace.) The nurses were all amazing as well!

So you see, Soria isn't just "our girl." She represents so much more. She completes our family puzzle. She's a fighter. She represents hope after loss. She's example of the power of prayer. She is a symbol of faith in God that He has a plan - a great plan for all of us- even though we may stumble along the way.

Soria Annalee, our almost 2-year-old going on 13 :)

Garage Sale Baby Blues

The city-wide garage sale is only two weeks away. You know, the one time a year that everyone goes through their house to find clothes that don't fit, toys that don't get played with anymore, gifts they received that just weren't their taste. You know, one person's "trash" is another person's "treasure."

Over the weekend I went through the boy's and Soria's drawers and closets yet again to find what they had outgrown. Jeans, t-shirts, shorts and socks and shoes. When we had filled yet another box and brought it down to the dining room table to join the multiple others, I realized we aren't anywhere physically close to ready for this garage sale. And for me, well I'm not emotionally ready for this garage sale.

Everyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I am a highly emotional person. I wear my heart on my sleeve and cry easily. It really hit me when gathering the last of Soria's too-small onesies that I "missed" the last time she wore her Batgirl onesie. I "missed" the last time she wore her TMNT onesie. When you've decided your last baby will be your last baby, the "lasts" seem to outnumber the "firsts" and yet it doesn't hit you until you're too late. Would I have taken one last picture of her wearing them? Would I have cuddled Nolan a little more the last time he wore his footie pajamas? Or played catch with Christian with his first baseball glove one more time. Maybe not, but all these things...they remind me how fast time is passing. The funny thing about "lasts" is that you don't realize at the time that they are one. Justin asked me the other day how old the boys would have to be before they could mow the lawn. I told him 15 and he laughed. And I cried. I can't picture them being old enough to do such things, let alone being too old to wear a onesie! I honestly wish they would all just stay this little forever :)

So now diaper boxes that once held Pampers are filled to the brim and overflowing with years of clothes worm by our babies. Clothes that we have to sort through and decide what we can part with and what I can't ;) I realize it's the memories that I'm holding onto and not the physical items, but well, some things just make my heart hurt too much to part with. Babies. Just typing the word almost makes me cry. Our babies are already seven, almost 6 and almost two. Surely it can't be possible :(

Deep breath. Another deep breath. It's just a garage sale...

"Justin and Alicia" are turning 18!

Our relationship hit another milestone. As of today, Justin and I have been together for 18 years! Our relationship is now an adult :)

And it all started with a rose... wait, wait, wait. Let me back up. It actually started with some sheet music? Yes, sheet music. 🎶

I played the flute in our school's pep band at basketball games. I had just gotten out of the locker room from playing in the girls' game, wet hair looking like a hot mess and made my way to the student section. There was this guy...he offered to hold my music. I politely refused multiple times before allowing him to do so for one song and afterward quickly took it back and said,"I got it!"

Let's just say I had never really be paid any attention by a boy, so I wasn't sure how to act :)

To give you a little more background... I was a sophomore and Justin was a junior. I had transferred from another school after the year had started. The locker I was assigned wasn't on the same floor as the rest of my class so I decided to just carry all my books etc. around with me and not use a locker. (Looking back, that was super ridiculous LOL) Anyway, Justin wasn't aware of this, and so he wandered the halls of our high school searching for my locker which ultimately he would never find. Why was he searching you ask? Because apparently I had made such an impression on him that night at the basketball game that he wanted to give me a flower. . . a rose to be specific. He wanted to leave it in my locker. Since that didn't work out, he found the next best thing. The band room and my flute case 💓

And the rest they say, is history. On March 11, on the way home from a school concert after which I had managed to somehow have Justin bring me home, he asked me out. I said yes - even though I technically had about a month to go before I could "officially" start dating :) Shhhh...don't tell my parents 😀

We have been through so much in the past 18 years... none of which I would ever change. I'd like to think we bring out the best in each other. He's strong when I'm weak. I'm strong when he's weak. We lean on each other in tough times (of which we've have many) and celebrate wholeheartedly in the good times (of which we've had many). We've been blessed with three beautiful children and and one tiny angel, a house we've made a home and so much more. I can't wait to see what the next 18 years brings.

If I'd only known at 15 that I would marry my high school sweetheart... Oh wait, I think I did 😍

Alicia

Yes, this is THE rose :)

Who are these kids?

 Our first Prom

Engagement photo

Our wedding

This is "US"

My #Braceface Anniversary

I never thought I would be an adult with braces and yet here I am - a 33-year-old with braces.

I never had braces as a kid. Like many others before me, I participated in the ridiculous trend of foil braces, but never the real thing. After all, my teeth weren't horribly crooked and I never remember feeling like I had to hide my smile.

Then I had my wisdom teeth removed.

Now I know orthodontists and dentists will tell you that having your wisdom teeth removed doesn't affect your other teeth, but I swear that's what happened to me. I had a gap form between two teeth that had never been there before and an eye tooth started to turn outward where it hadn't before. It seems so vain, but every time I took a picture or looked in a mirror, that one crooked tooth on the top mocked me. It's all I saw. I hated it.

I must have shared my disgust with this tooth with Justin one too many times because one day he told me, you've got a consultation with an orthodontist. And so we went, he and I. They took a 360 x-ray and the orthodontist took a look at my teeth.

Eighteen to 20 months he told me. It sounded like a prison sentence... and I guess in a way it is a prison sentence for teeth :) #behindmetalbars LOL

I left not wanting to believe that I was actually gong to do it. It seemed silly and vain and of course there's the cost, but deep down I knew I'd be back.

And back I went...exactly one year ago today. I remember the first few days after getting them on. I went from excited to angry and in tears to happy again. Just ask Justin, I was in such a bad mood one day he finally told me to go have them taken off! I think I'd had them for maybe three days at that point LOL

So now that I am an experienced braces wearer, I'll share with you a few fun reflections about my braces experience thus far:

• Flossing my teeth has always sucked. Flossing my teeth with braces is worse. It takes forever!
• People look at you funny when you brush your teeth at work
• I'm never without a disposable toothbrush
• Eating in public and in front of my co-workers is incredibly stressful. I feel like I constantly have to cover my mouth at all times.
• Rubber bands. Enough said.
• Dental wax...I may have swallowed my fair share :)
• When you're an adult with braces, you start taking note of all the other adults with braces that you see...and there are a lot more than I realized.
• The entire staff at Baxter Orthodontics in Gardner is incredibly nice!

I'm so looking forward to the day I get these bad boys off. Only about 6 more months to go!! Wish me luck!

Alicia

Live Tracking: Creepy or Cool?

Let me start out by saying that my husband worries. About our kids. And me. He worries a lot about me - especially when it comes to to the weather and running. He likes to know where I'm going and when I'm going. I've always thought it was sweet. I mean, who DOESN"T want their husband to be worried about them. But then something changed. That something was my Garmin Wearable (activity-tracking watch).

When I decided to start running again and  train for another half marathon and full marathon, Justin decided that he needed a more reliable way to track where I was going. He wanted the ability to track me live. We - and by we I mean mostly him - researched multiple options. In the end, it was pretty much splitting hairs when it came to the capabilities of the devices we narrowed it down to. It came down to two different Garmin models: the Garmin Forerunner 235 and the Garmin vivosmart HR and we eventually decided on Garmin Forerunner 235. It's a GPS running watch with a wrist-based heart rate monitor.

It's capabilities include: 

• Tracking distance, pace, time, heart rate and more
• Connecting automatically to and uploads to Garmin Connect™
• Live tracking, audio prompts, smart notifications and social media sharing
• Activity tracking counts daily steps, distance, calories and sleep

It's really pretty awesome and it's a lot more convenient than wearing my gigantic phone on my arm and dealing with the glare of the sun to see how far I'd gone and how fast. Plus I can now track my heart rate and easily navigate between my distance, heart rate, calories and pace.

I've been telling people at work about my new "toy" and their reactions all had one thing in common: they think Justin wanting to track my runs live is creepy. Is it? Is it creepy that my HUSBAND wants to know where I am when I'm out on a run? I was beginning to think that maybe it was. After all, the beginning weeks of my training program don't have me running that far . . . why should he worry?

The recent events of vandalism at the high school and shooting in a neighboring city, really opened up my eyes. Alicia - step outside your bubble! As terrible as it sounds, the world we live in is incredibly unpredictable. Don't get me wrong, I love our town. We wouldn't have lived here for the past 11 years if we didn't. But even our seemingly sleepy little town has proven it has the potential to be not be so sleepy. It's naive to think that even in a city with a small-town feel that nothing bad can happen. 

So I've embraced technology as something not just something beneficial to my training, but my safety as well! 

Here are some other safety tips for going on a walk, run etc.:

- Always tell at least one person where you are going and when you expect to return

- Run with a buddy if possibe

- Have your cell phone with you and make sure it's charged

- Avoid wearing headphones so you can better hear what's going on around you

- Be observant and listen to your gut...if something doesn't seem right - it likely isn't!

- Wear brightly colored clothing

- Run in well-lit areas and sidewalks when possible

Have fun and stay safe!

Alicia

Am I a Runner?

The other morning, like most others, I was on my way to drop off the kids at daycare when I saw him. With his flashing light and less than warm-looking athletic apparel. Running. In the freezing cold. And I said out loud,"Now that's dedication. That's hard core-not-messing-around I AM A RUNNER dedication!" 

And to be honest, even though I had already worked out that morning, he made me feel lazy. It sounds stupid, really,  I know. But nonetheless, that's the way he - this perfect stranger - made me feel: LAZY.

After all, I haven't really done any running since the fall and never would you find ME out running in the freezing cold. (For starters, my husband would definitely not approve, but also I'm a real big baby when it comes to the cold :) )

So I posed the question to myself: AM I a runner?

Google "definition of a runner" and you get: 

run·ner

ˈrənər/

noun

1. 1.

   a person who runs, especially in a specified way.

   
   

   "Mary was a fast runner"

   • 
     

     
     
   • 
     
2. 2.

   a person who smuggles specified goods into or out of a country or area.

   
   

   "a drug-runner"

Obviously we're looking at the first definition, so according to this, yes, I am a runner, but so is anyone else who runs from here to there for a specific purpose. This still didn't answer my question.

Now as far back as I can remember, running has always been a part of my life. Even in grade school when we had to run the mile, I didn't dread it like others did. I ran track in junior high, ran track and cross country in high school and have ran half marathons and 5ks as an adult. Does all this make me a runner? Literally, yes. But I guess what I really was asking myself is do I have the HEART of a runner like the man I see running EVERY morning. 

Ultimately even though I don't run every day, yes, I think I do have the heart of a runner, and here are 10 reasons why:

1) I can "smell" track and cross country season :)
2) I get ridiculously nervous and my heart races when I attend track meets in our small town even though I'm not the one racing.
3) The smell of new running shoes makes me happy!
4) I believe shin splints are just a part of life.
5) I feel a sense of pride when I cross a finish line - even when it's not in first place.
6) I own an embarrassing large number of running shoes. 
7) I'm teaching my kids to love running. 
8) I'm always striving to improve upon my own times.
9) I know what a runner's high feels like.
10) The sound of shoes slapping the pavement is soothing.

I will add, that later that day I registered for the Bill Snyder Highway Half Marathon. I TOLD you he made me feel lazy. And even though running a half marathon is on my list of things to accomplish in 2017, a perfect stranger gave me the push to get the ball rolling. You just never know where your inspiration will come from, so listen to your heart. I listened to mine.

Alicia