i work out. well, recently i do.

a couple of months after tenley was born i decided i needed to get out of the house and have some time to myself to regain a hint of sanity every now and then. so we joined the Y. i found a boot camp class that i love and have been going fairly regularly and i'm pretty darn proud of myself because getting two babies out of the house is a miracle in itself. "go me!"

i used to wonder what in the world was wrong with people when they would say things like, "oh i feel amazing after my workout!" or "i love running!". i still don't think i will ever in this lifetime feel that way about running, but what do you know-i'm loving working out these days!

besides going to the Y, i've been finding fun "at home" exercises on pinterest. so today i'm overly excited to share with you this blog and the 6 week workout plan that i just started thanks to sadie jane! also, you guys should check out sadie's journey to get fit after she had her two kiddos! amazing!

here's what Day 1 looks like:

the workouts will be posted weekly. oh and she is great about helping crossfit beginners with all the lingo. for instance, WOD=workout of day and 21-15-9 is how many reps you do for that movement so for Day 1: WOD: 21 jump squats, 21 push ups, 21 mountain climbers and 21 sit ups then do 15 of each and then 9. for the strength portion the 5-5-5-5-5 means you do 5 rounds of 5 weighted squats. get it? easy peasy. here's Week 1.

join us! it will be fun promise ;)

hope you guys are keeping up your new year's resolutions!

saying good-bye to a home and a chapter.

the nostalgia began as soon as my tires hit the highway.

the skies were the perfect shade of gray, mist fell lightly on my windshield, the trees were extra prickly and the auburn tones of the hills drew me in.

it's typical for the thoughts in my head on the -not so quite- 2 hour drive back "home" to be somewhat sentimental, but this day was a bit different.

i was heading "home" for my mother's retirement party and to say good-bye to the home we grew up in.

you see my mom worked at one place for 37 years. yep, that's right. 3-7 years. this place was not just a place of work. it was a place of love and of friendship and family. my mom and dad met there. baby showers and wedding showers were thrown there. many birthdays and picnics and holiday parties-mom's gold party dress will always be embedded in my mind. the smell of my dad's cologne, his tie, and the clicks of mom's shoes as they got ready for work. this place was special even before my sister and i were born and then as we grew the people were still there. the people, that's what made this place. joyce-always singing someone happy birthday opera style mind you. marsha-always making everyone laugh, richard-giving us money to go buy something from the candy/pop machines in the cafeteria, angela-always had a smile on her face and something nice to say, lanny-too cool for school, linda and her california raisins, pam, donna and ida, just to name a few, dad-the prankster, and mom was, well, she was the proud momma-every time we were up for a visit she would parade us around the office and once rylan and tenley were born the parading carried on another generation. i couldn't be more blessed to know these people. they have celebrated birthdays with me, graduations, my wedding and now my babies. these people are great.

the party went well. my momma spoke and did a good job at making us all cry. it's been a long time coming and, perhaps, she won't stop working, i doubt she ever will, but it's a new season and a new journey and i'm excited for her.

on the way out my sister and i passed by my mom's old office. it was strange seeing someone else in that chair. i will never forget that place or the times i spent sleeping under her desk, but most of all i will never forget the people.

afterwards, we stopped at our favorite BBQ joint in town. then we took the faithful drive back to our old home. my mom and dad moved out about 3 years ago and have been trying to sell it ever since. the day had finally come so it was time to say our good-byes.

i followed rylan down the hall and watched him head directly for my old room. it was as if he knew, straight to the very room where momma laid in bed every night and listened to the distant rumble of the train. where sleepovers were had, where my best friend kim got stuck in the bathroom and had to hammer the hinges off the door to get out, where we jammed out to destiny's child and snuck out the back door, where i did a lot of thinking and growing up and most importantly where i finally realized how much i needed the Lord in my life.

we walked through every room that night and shared different memories. like how the light switch in the "red room" was upside down still to this day by dad's "handiwork" and how the door to the closet sticks. how we "fished" with our toy fishing poles in the hallway and exactly where the floor creaks in the living room.

that house is bursting at the seams with memories, some good, some bad, but it will always hold a special corner in my heart.

we took a family picture out front and i drove away for the last time.

good-bye old house. may you be filled with lots of joy, laughter and love in the days to come.

i will miss you my dear friend.

i washed my brand new iphone in the laundry machine. oh, and happy new year!

there's nothing worse than washing $200 straight down the drain.

ok, i can think of a few things.

but seriously, did i really have to send 2013 out with this kind of a BANG?!

i hope this isn't a sign for 2014!

or maybe i do...

i'm not going to lie, the phone can be a bit of a distraction for me. there's always something going on, an app to check, email, messages, pictures, articles to read, #hashtags, and it's basically impossible to keep up which i'm pretty sure God didn't intend for us to anyway.

i've been told that God gives you enough hours in the day to get the things done that HE intends-so no more distractions or excuses-I'm hoping to use my time in 2014 in a more God-honoring manner (not that all of those other things were in themselves bad, but the overuse or prioritization of it that's the key here). I'm taking the washing of my iphone in the laundry machine as a sign to focus more on the "real" around me.

FOCUS 2014!

i guess that's my "word" for the year?

revision.

oh my has the Lord been working on this ugly heart of mine lately!

it's crazy how He strategically uses marriage and parenthood to shape us, to draw to the surface all the impurities in our lives. well, let me tell you, baby girl is already being used by God in a mighty way to shape this momma!

unlike rylan, miss tenley seems to be quite the challenge for mommy and daddy (sorry tenley!) and with these challenges the "pot" has been stirred.

these stirrings have led to convictions: oh how simple it is to love when things are easy and how effortless it is to be happy on the good days.

ouch.

i'm reading in Ecclesiastes and today i read this:

"In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider-God has made the one as well as the other"

i'm praying for lots of things these days and i'm glad to be reminded of how much i need Him again. as a momma, my prayers are largely for my kiddos, but i've realized that all the things i'm praying for them start with me. it's almost like God was saying, "you want them to be patient, YOU gotta be patient. you want them to have self control, YOU gotta have self control".

that being said and with all the self reflection going on over here, i've been given a new "vision" for this space of mine. things aren't always easy as a mom, life is tough and i just want to be real. i just want to share my life and encourage. yes, this place is mostly a love spot for my babies and for all of our memories, but my hope is also that somehow i could build up mothers along the way.

i'm praying for all you mothers (and "not-yet" mothers) out there to find contentment in the hard days as well as the easy ones.

beauty in contentment.

i paused to look at myself in the mirror after i had just gotten mr. grouchy pants down for his afternoon nap. yes, i was sporting my wrinkly old white tee and my hot pink sweats, but in that moment i felt beautiful.

there was just something about that moment where i felt utterly content in, well, everything. my hair was a mess, i just got done scrubbing ry's grubby little fingers, and wiping up leftover taco meat from lunch, but suddenly when i stopped to look i saw pure joy.

i was satisfied in my grungy outfit and my ponytail. i was satisfied in the soreness in my back. i was satisfied with the toys in the living room and the slightly less than perfectly clean kitchen. i was satisfied because they were all signs of him. and the joy he brings.

yes, there are most certainly more glamorous things in the world than changing diapers and wiping snotty noses, but today i felt like a queen.

you see i feel blessed. blessed that i was able to bring life into this world. blessed that i am able to stay  home with my baby every day. blessed to chase him all around the house. blessed to pick up his toys over and over again. blessed to be his momma.

i am content.

no other title in the world could be as sweet. ma-ma.

there is beauty in contentment.

and to the crib he went.

while we're on the subject of letting go...

why don't we hit up the fact that my baby no longer prefers napping on the couch with me.

i was honestly dreading the day that we would have to transition nap time with me on the couch to the crib mainly because it's my favorite and also because i heard it would be a nightmare since he was already 12 months old and still lying there by my side. but all of a sudden it just happened. i can't even remember how. all i know is one day we laid down on the couch for our usual after lunch nap and he started crying and to the crib he went. and that's where he wants to be now.

i will admit to withdraws of his warmth and just the simple presence of him being there in my arms, but i know this is just another part of letting him go.

i am so grateful for the many naps that we had together in "our spot" on the couch. and i'm so glad that i took each one of them in. i'm sure you'll let me get one in with you every now and then...right??! ;)

thank you God for making this process so gradual. this is hard on us mommas! even the thought of much more right now is making my stomach turn.

take it easy on me baby boy! you could slow down just a teeny tiny bit ;)

love you, my little forever nap time buddy,
momma

letting go.

so i was thinking. this thing called mommyhood, aka the "letting go" process, it's just plain tough sometimes. i'm on the down slope of weaning ry. i feed him once when he wakes up in the morning and once before he goes to bed. funny thing, or the not so funny thing, is i've been noticing how easy it's been for him every time i drop a feeding. reality sinks in.

he no longer "needs" me.

it's sort of a sobering thought that i better get used to.

"he no longer needs me".

well, for this at least.

breast-feeding came so easily for us. it was "our" thing. something only we share. it's a closeness no one else knows. all the times i've held you close and stroked your hair and breathed you in. nothing can touch those times.

you and i have something special baby boy, even if you don't always "need" me.

i'm holding you extra close and soaking it in these next few weeks as this time together is almost up.

love you forever,
momma

a new year.

welp, 2012 is a wrap.
and i think it's safe to say it was one of my most favorite years yet. since baby boy was born on december 22, 2011, the majority of his life has been in 2012 so i guess that has a little something to do with why i'm pretty partial to it. 2013, you have a lot to live up to ;)

i don't think i made any "resolutions" last year other than "keep the new baby alive" so the mr. and i decided to make some goals for this year. and i thought i'd share mine here as it's an easy place to help keep myself accountable.

hope you guys have a blessed year! i'm looking forward to growing closer to my Jesus and am curious to see what's in store!

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 
My times are in Your hand. Psalm 31:14-15

oh my dear.

that sweet face-bah! i can't get enough of him. we did good Mr. Baker ;)

we got some great shots during ry's one year photo session with Oh My Dear Photography! If you remember Courtney did our maternity and newborn sessions as well and it seems like that was just yesterday. seriously, where did the time go?

and since ry isn't technically one yet i'm going to hold off on showing too much, but, you guys, i died over his smash cake pics. 

more to come.

i'm on the hunt.

...for the perfect pair of skinny jeans. i'm not one for liking super low waist lines as i'd rather not have to worry about keeping my backside covered. i feel a tad bit ridiculous running around trying to hold my shirt down in the back while wrangling up a small child and cleaning all the crushed up cheerios from the carpet. i literally need to grow an extra arm...go ahead and make that two extra arms. anywho, i want to know where you guys got your "go to" jeans! thanks for the help!

Birthday Blog Hijacking

Is this a mommy blogger’s worst nightmare (ok, probably not, but I had to start this dramatically)?!  Her husband, I mean ‘hubby’, has hijacked her blog and is going to tell the real truth.  They (you know, the proverbial ‘they’) say that sometimes the truth HURTS! …but in this case it does not.  Today, October 16^th, is my wife’s birthday and I want to take a second to remind my wife (and tell whoever happens to eavesdrop) what she means to me.

Warning: Of course, parts will seem a bit corny and perhaps even overdone, but the reality is that it’s the truth and if that’s corny or overdone so be it.

First, I must explain something for the rest to make sense.  My wife and I agree on a premise popularized by Gary Thomas’s book, “Sacred Marriage”, which is this idea: “What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy”.  In fact, we do believe that God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy – this is not to minimize the value of happiness but to maximize the value of holiness.  If we agree on this premise – How am I to look at her as a wife? What does the Bible say about a woman who prioritizes holiness in a marriage?

I will use the rest of this post to tell my wife, in light of the well-known portion of Proverbs 31 which describes a godly woman, why I love her:

To My Beautiful Bride,

I married you because you pursue God wholeheartedly, make me a better man, and are easy on the eyes.  Below is what I think of you when reading Proverbs 31.

 Verse 10: An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

           

I must simply say, I agree! You are more precious than jewels and I wish every man could find a woman like you.  The idea of jewels is also speaking to nobility or virtuosity, and I must say that you are undoubtedly a strong woman with unwavering convictions. And for that, I love you.

Verses 11-12: The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

            You are the most trustworthy person I know and as a result I trust you with everything, including the most precious gift we’ve ever been given, our son. I agree with Martin Luther when he said, “The greatest gift of God is a pious amiable spouse, who fears God, loves his house, and with whom one can live in perfect confidence".  Mrs. Baker, I live in perfect confidence with you.  Further, you do good not only when it is easy, but also when it is tough. You have integrity and you live above reproach.  And for that, I love you.

            Verses 13-19: She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

            Clearly a lot is said here about how a godly woman handles herself in regard to caring for the family, serving, working, and being strong.  You do all of that and you do it so well.  There is no doubt in my mind that your vocation is raising our son and you do that better than I could have ever imagined.  You love him, serve him, teach him, provide for him, and tirelessly pursue his understanding of the Lord by being such a godly example.  Not only do you do this for him, but you do this for me as well.  You do this for me even when I am stubborn, lazy, unkind, selfish, and simply not deserving of such acts. You do all of this as unto the Lord. And for that, I love you.         

Verse 20: She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

            You complement me so well in this area.  You illustrate such mercy and love towards people when I often struggle with hardness.  You are attentive to the needs of others, not just in word but in action.  You encourage me with your giving heart.  And for that, I love you.

Verse 21: She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

            Because you do not fear of being unprepared, I do not fear.  You think ahead.  You plan.  You do both of those better than me.  I am spontaneous, which at times may seem more fun, but the truth is without you I would be unprepared for so many things.  I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve forgotten something, but there you are to assure me you have not forgotten and have me covered.  And for that, I love you.

Verse 22: She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

            Really, do I even need to expand on this one?! You are beautiful and your taste is beautiful.  And for that, I love you.

Verse 23: Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

            This appears to be about me, but it is not.  It is because I can trust you and because you serve Rylan and me so well that I can focus on doing my work with excellence.    My success is because of your success.  And for that, I love you.           

Verses 24-27:  She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.  Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

            We all know being a mother is the most challenging vocation in the world and some might say that being my wife is the second most challenging :)… Nonetheless, you do both well.  You work so hard and are the antithesis of laziness.  You are kind, wise, and help me hear the Holy Spirit when sometimes I am not listening so well.  And for that, I love you.

Verses 28-29: Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

Right now, maybe all Rylan can say is, “mama” and sometimes the occasional “daaaadaaaa” (well that’s what I hear), but I can say, ‘You do surpass them all.’  I know you don’t invest/love/care for Rylan and me because of the ‘rewards’ or ‘payback’, but I know there will be eternal rewards awaiting you for your good service – and earthly ones await too (a good sloppy kiss coming soon).  And for that, I love you.  If Rylan could form entire sentences, I know he’d say… And for that, I love you.

           

Verse 30: Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

            First, I will say that you are SMOKIN!  You are incredibly beautiful, but what I am most thankful for is that your physical beauty is not the extent of your beauty.  You fear the Lord and your life so clearly proves it.  And for that, I love you.

Verse 31: Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

            As I said above, I am confident you will be rewarded.  You are godly and virtuous.  Because Proverbs 31 so perfectly describes you I know you will be rewarded.  Because the fruit of your life is so obvious, I know you will be rewarded.  I know you would say you have room to grow closer to the Lord, but I want you to know that you meet His measures well.  And for that, I love you!

I hope you have an amazing birthday because your birth has made so many of my days amazing. 

I. Love. You.

Ooops, I mean…

 We. Love. You.

speed date

hey guys! let's get to know each other! SPEED DATE STYLE!!

i am a christian.
i'm so thankful that God continued to pursue me when i ran from Him so many times.
God has changed me from who i once was and i am forever grateful.
i met my husband in college.
we got married at age 22 during a terrible ice storm.
we have been married for 4 years and 7 months.
our son, Rylan, was born last december.
we love being parents.
this december we will be celebrating 5 years of marriage, Ry's first birthday and Christmas all in a row.
i've been imagining/planning my son's first birthday party for months. it's still 5 months away.
i don't like chocolate.
i love China.
i hate driving. it makes me nervous. but so does riding. -confessions of a backseat driver.
i take too many pictures.
i am very nostalgic/sentimental.
i am a dental hygienist. show me your teeth!
one of my favorite things to do is play games.
i love sports.
i love country music.
i love sitting on the back porch-when it's not too hot, not too cold.
the ocean is calling my name. like always.
husband is good at math. i am not.
i like to shop. husband does not.

ok enough about me! LINK UP here.

a hygienist's pinterest

In honor of working last week

                                                                       Source: businessinsider.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

                                          Source: zazzle.com via Noma on Pinterest

                                                 Source: scrapbookofduke.posterous.com via Anna on Pinterest

              Source: etsy.com via Deanna on Pinterest

      

         Source: socialmediadentist.com via Mariah on Pinterest

         Source: boredpanda.com via Onne-Floris on Pinterest                                 

   Source: thebrickhouse.tumblr.com via Cristie on Pinterest

   Source: flickr.com via Chibi on Pinterest

   Source: Uploaded by user via Chantal on Pinterest

   Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

                                    Source: etsy.com via Stephany on Pinterest

                  Link up: The Vintage Apple!

11 things...

Ok, so I've been tagged in the bloggy 11 things game.

I think some of the rules were lost or broken along the wayside, so

I may diverge a little, but you'll love me anyways right?! 

1. Post these rules

2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things

3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post

4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them

5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them that you tagged them

11 random things about me, myself and I:

-I grew up on a farm. Sometimes in the winter when our cows had calves my dad would let me bring them inside and I would read them bedtime stories.

-I have a phobia of groupings of things; bugs, birds, bees, etc.

-I took Karate when I was younger and made it to a brown belt, but I don't remember any of it.

-Everything in my house has its place and Mr. Baker has learned them nicely.

-I think being a mom is the best thing ever.

-I love chicken. It's my favorite.

-I'm obsessed with scarves and shoes.

-I've always wanted to live in the jungle like Swiss Family Robinson.

-I'm a terrible driver. I have been pulled over for almost anything you can think of.

-I'm a hypochondriac. Have you seen the movie 'The Switch'? The little boy in that movie could totally be my son.

-I'm late. No matter how much time I give myself I always find a way to be late.

No new questions were posted so I answered the original ones asked to Rouge & Whimsy.

1. If you could have any super power what would it be and why? Teleportation. So I can travel anywhere without having to fly, duh.

2. If you HAD to quit your job (or change your college major) and you HAD to pick a different career path what would you do? Well, I will NEVER quit my job as momma, but if I had to choose a different career path/college major...maybe...journalism...nursing...or veterinarian...

3. What was your most embarrassing moment? Not sure if I should disclose all the info on this one, but it has to do with underwear and a sporting event. very. very. embarrassing. 

4. It's 2012, when you were younger how did you think the world would be by now? I don't know about you guys, but I was hoping for robot maids.

5. What is a fear you are trying to work on? I have a fear of death. Even though I have a relationship with my heavenly Father, I fear the unknown. I'm trying to transfer this fear to faith.

6. Do you remember POGS and if so how the HECK did you play? Of course I remember pogs although, I do not remember how to play. I think I used them more for decoration-I remember sticking a Felix the cat pog on my stereo with putty. Real cool, I know.

7. What talent do you wish you had but lack skills in? I need to improve my math skills I'm tired of counting on my fingers and photography.

8. What store could you max out your credit card in? Oh man. There's a lot. H&M. Target. Pottery Barn. Gap. Urban Outfitters. Forever 21. and so on and so on.

9. What was your favorite childhood toy or activity? I played outside all the time. I was a tomboy. None of that Barbie and house stuff. I loved swimming and sports.

10. If you could have a second house anywhere in the world where would it be and why? Santorini, Greece. Look it up and you'll know.

Here are some new questions:

If you could have dinner with any famous person past or present who would it be and why?

What is the most valuable thing you own?

What was your favorite birthday and why?

What life lesson did you learn the hard way?

What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?

If you could instill one piece of advice in a newborn baby's mind what advice would you give?

What would you not give up for 1 million dollars in cash?

What is your purpose in life?

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

What is your favorite childhood memory?

I don't feel like tagging people right now, but if you want to play along just link it back to me or post a comment!