Life After I "Dew"

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...

• I joined Snapchat. All the cool kids are doing it and "I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids"....Follow me @shannonrdew, if you feel so inclined.
• Reading Kristin Cavallari's book makes me want to clear out my cabinets and fridge and eat the way she does.  However, there's one small problem, money.
• I indulged this weekend for Easter and I don't care.
• I'm obsessed with Ben & Lauren.  Like, a lot.
• I am beyond obsessed with my Yeti Rambler.  Jimmy got it for my birthday and it's the only cup I've drank out of since.
• I like to have "me time".
• I had a post all about Easter baskets and I never published it.  Maybe next year...
• I am completely annoyed by all of the "turn on notifications" posts on IG.  Chill, people.  
• Kendall's newest obsession is with Beados and I hate them.
• I am so excited Kendall went back to school today.  A week and a half of nonstop fun did me in and now I'm ready for "normal".
• I surprised Jimmy by doing our taxes this year.  He always wants me to do it and I never do so he was so excited when I told him they were done!
• I love to do all the things for each and every holiday.  
• I am stalking our frozen yogurt place, waiting for opening day. They will have Dippin' Dots this year, people!!!!
• I almost have Jimmy convinced to do the 3 Day Refresh with me.  Almost.

Last week I mentioned that I have this feeling of "more".  I don't know what that means but it's an all-consuming feeling that I have.  Jimmy says maybe we need to do more projects around the house or maybe it's a more spiritual feeling- either way, I have no idea but I can't stop thinking about what it could be.  It's this craving, need, want, urge, desire for more but more what?  I'm praying about it and waiting for God to show up and guide me.  I'm taking the time to just let in marinate because I know whenever I figure out what it is, it's going to be awesome.  I just know it.

For now, though, less is more.

We went to Chuck E Cheese yesterday {a favorite in our family, don't judge} and when we got home I just felt the need to purge.  It could have been my brain telling me to soak my body in scalding water wash the germs off me and the kids after eating from the "all you can eat" pizza buffet but I took it to mean something a little different.

You see we didn't walk out of there with any prizes yesterday.  No $0.25 bracelets, no inflatable beach ball that will get a hole in it the minute we leave, not even a temporary tattoo of the mascot.  Nada.  We convinced Kendall to save the tickets till the next time since they were severely understaffed and everything was taking a lot longer than normal.  James was beyond his nap time and there was nothing Kendall had her eye on anyway.  Coming home with nothing to show for our day's adventure was so refreshing.

When we got home my brain started to think about how happy I was that just going to Chuck E Cheese was enough for Kendall.  She didn't need more stuff/junk to make her happy.  She didn't demand a souvenir before we left.  She was just happy with the time we spent there with her brother, aunt, and grandma.

I thought about myself though and realized that less isn't always more with me.  I want more clothes.  I want to buy new toys for the kids because "they are bored with their current ones".  I want new bedding. I want the kids to have the best Easter baskets.  I want more, more, more when in reality we have enough and what we have is enough.

Do you ever look around and realize how truly blessed you are?  I have a nice house, plenty of clothes, a fridge and pantry full of food, a new truck, two healthy kids.  On top of all of those important things I am able to swing into Starbucks when I feel a craving.  I get my hair done fairly regularly.  I am able to take my kids to the zoo on a random Tuesday.  I pick up Panera for lunch more times than I care to admit.  I let Kendall buy Shopkins just because.  I have enough.

The Easter Bunny left us with even more and that has me craving even less.  I want nothing more than a day to myself with a trash bag in hand to go through the whole house and just purge.  I want to get rid of all the toys that are cheap, broken or missing pieces.  I want to only keep clothing I feel amazing in.  I want to throw out all the food that doesn't make us feel good {I'm looking at you Easter candy}.  I want to put myself on a strict shopping ban that includes only necessities for the rest of the year {wishful thinking}.

I've heard of the book, the one about tidying up, but I don't even think I need a guide this time.  I know what I need to do to live a more simple, fulfilled life.  I need to be happy with what we have and realize what we have is enough.  Plain and simple, ladies and gentleman, plain and simple.

Life lessons learned at Chuck E Cheese.  See, that place isn't so bad ;-).

Typically when people find out I'm an only child, they are shocked.  Not to toot my own horn but I guess I don't act like a typical only child.  I like to thank my parents for not raising me to be a complete douche.  Sure I got my "dream car" {VW Beetle} when I was 17 but it was not until I had been driving for a year {I shared a car with my mom for that first year} and when I did get it I had to pay for it, all $320.  I never went without anything.  A new pair of Nike's came out, I had them.  A surprise limo to take me to the junior prom?  Sure.  But I also had to get good grades {at least a 3.0 GPA}, I had an 11 o'clock curfew until I was 18.  Only then did it get bumped to midnight but only ONE night a week.  I was not allowed riding in the car with boys.  If my dad called I HAD to answer the phone- no ifs, ands or buts about it.  Absolutely no one was allowed in my parents house without them being home.  I mean I had rules, legit rules, more so than most of my friends.

I always feel a sense of pride when people tell me, "you don't seem like an only child".  I definitely take it as a compliment.  To me it means I don't act spoiled, I am not full of myself, I don't think the world revolves around me and I don't expect more than I deserve.  I think those are admirable qualities for anyone to possess so yeah, I am happy when people say I have those characteristics.

Except there's one trait of mine that is indicative of an only child.  I am selfish.

I'm mostly selfish with my time.  I crave "me time" which is something I used to avoid at all costs {hindsight is a bitch}.  If my kids wake up before I've had enough "me time" in the morning it pisses me off.  If my husband doesn't take the kids outside after dinner so I can clean up in the quiet, I'm annoyed.  If James doesn't nap on the days Kendall has school giving me that glorious two hours of "me time" my day is ruined.  These things don't happen very often {thank God} and for that I am grateful. I need this time to myself and I don't want anything screwing it up.

While I feel partly guilty for being selfish with my time I also think it's what makes me a better wife/mom/friend/person.  I know several moms who run their tanks on empty.  They are so busy putting everyone else first that they forget about themselves.  Some of them don't even know what day of the week/month anymore because their days are so full of everything work, kids, sports, church, family, etc and they don't even have a second to catch their breath let alone take some time to themselves.  Some people thrive on that type of lifestyle and it works for them but for me it does not.


I never want to be the family that is so busy we can't spend time with our friends.  I have no desire to have a jam packed schedule.  I don't want calendars to dictate our lives.  I want Jimmy to be able to take time for his hobbies and I want to be able to have some "me time" every once in a while.  I'm sure some people would call that selfish but I call it balance.

Just like I like to have my "me time" I know my kids and husband need time to themselves too.  Jimmy has lots of hobbies and I know that hunting, fishing, riding his RZR, and sometimes golfing make him happy.  I'm sure my kids get tired of looking at my face all day.  Kendall sometimes asks for quiet time and she'll say, "mom I really like that" on the rare occasion she does have it.  So we all need to be selfish with our time every once in a while.  I think it's completely normal and totally healthy.

My "me time" is mostly made up of catching up on the DVR, working out, browsing the web, reading my devotional and sometimes I'll even pick up a book to read.  I'm not doing brilliant things during this time but I'm doing things that make me happy.  Happy wife=happy life, right?  JUST KIDDING {kind of}.  Even though it might be mindless or a waste of time to some it's important to me and I do my darnedest to make sure it happens.

What about you? Are you selfish with your time too?

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...

• I really want to read Kristin Cavallari's new book Balancing In Heels.
• I am tempted to buy SugarBearHair vitamins partly because my girl crush Becca uses them and partly because the reviews seem like they are legit in growing your hair out.  Any thoughts?
• I never found an Easter dress {for me} so I'll be wearing the same dress I wore 2 years ago for Easter.  Whatever.
• I'm taking James to his first movie this Friday.
• I'm so sad that The Bachelor is over so now I've resorted to stalking Ben, Lauren and JoJo on all social media accounts.
• I live for holidays now that I have kids.  We've got at least two community egg hunts Saturday followed by three family ones Sunday and I can't wait.
• I get more excited when stuff comes in the mail than when I go shopping in stores.
• I don't think I'm going to share halfway {alpha} results with T25 this time.  I think I'm just going to wait till I finish beta {10 weeks} and hopefully have an amazing transformation to share.
• I'm feeling the urge to do something "more" but I'm not quite sure what that means yet.  
• I can't stop eating Easter candy. 
• I miss my Dr. Laura radio now that my free Sirius/XM Radio trial has expired.
• Kendall's love of tie-dye has made me fall in love with all things tie-dye.
• I am kind of regretting not having my surgery now that my ear drum ruptured this weekend.

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...

• I'm a little bit sad that The Bachelor is over.  I am super happy with the end, Ben and Lauren seem so happy.  Like so happy.  They couldn't stop smiling on After The Final Rose.  I know The Bachelor couples don't have a good track record but I truly hope they last, forever.  As for JoJo for the new Bachelorette? All the high-fives!  Caila was rumored to be it and I was super disappointed and think she would have made a boring Bachelorette.  I think JoJo is a perfect fit, however.
• I love DST.  Seriously my kids have BOTH been sleeping in every day since Sunday, it's been glorious.
• I hate buying hair ties and bobby pins because I know they're all going to go missing within a week of purchasing.
• I can't wait for Big Brother to start.  I know it's months away but it's my favorite, favorite guilty pleasure.
• I draw a heart in the peanut butter of Kendall's sandwich every day when she goes to school.  She doesn't know it's there but I hope she feels my love when she eats it. 
• I love to peek in on my kids when they're sleeping.  I've done it every night since they were born and have no intention of stopping.
• We don't normally celebrate St. Patrick's Day but this year I kind of want to.  Since we have kids and it falls on a weeknight/school night/work night I am bringing the party home with bangers, mashed potatoes and sour krout.  I think Jimmy will be pleased.
• I suck at returning library books.
• I'm obsessed with Aldi.  Like, obsessed. I heard our tiny town is getting one and I think that was the best news I could have heard.  I mean a Chick-fil-A would be awesome too but Aldi?  Rocks my socks.
•  I'm shopping for a dress that needs to work for Easter, an evening May wedding and a daytime June wedding.  Anyone?
• I hate midi length dresses. They hit me at such an awkward spot.  Not a good look for this short girl.
• I like to eat dinner early, by at least 5 o'clock.  I don't know why but I get bent out of shape if it's much later.
• Pizza and chocolate cookies are my weakness.  If either one of them are around I can't help myself and will eat more than a normal person should.
• I always have to Google peak vs peek and choose vs chose.  I never know which one to use.

I didn't talk about it much on here but if you follow me on IG you know this whole house {minus James} has been battling some sort of sickness since the beginning of February. It's been a fun month, let me tell you.

It started with me getting some gross puking bug {that I thought was the Chipotle flu} and five days later Jimmy was lucky enough to catch it.  Somehow our kids managed to avoid it which is a miracle seeing as everyone we are close to had it at some point that month.  Following the stomach bug, a little over a week later I was diagnosed with strep for the first time in 33 years.  I was prescribed penicillin even after I told the doctor that I don't usually respond to it. Nine days into the prescription I called them back to let them know that all of my symptoms had returned and I was feeling the exact same.  At that time they informed me that my strep test was negative...hmm...okay...so I don't know what I had/have {my ears are still plugged} but I do know that about two weeks later Kendall did test positive for strep.

Whew...

So we have all passed germs around and somehow James has been the only one to avoid it which blows my mind.  But now, it seems, we are all on the mend.  Everyone has finished their prescriptions and all is "normal" again.  FINALLY.

The thing that sucks the most is my diet.  Up until I got sick I had been counting macros and loving it.  I was eating more food than ever before {1700 calories vs 1200} and I felt great.  The scale got to a number I have never seen as an adult and while that wasn't the goal it was nice to see, I can't lie.  I was cooking a lot more, eating healthier than ever and I was loving it.

Once I got sick all I wanted was carbs.  Gimme all the toast, bagels, noodle soups, french fries, and ice cream.  Seriously I think I logged into MFP one day and my macros were like 95% carbs.  It was insane.  I chalked it up to being sick and if my body was craving those things then that was what it needed to "heal".  How do you like that logic?

Needless to say I gained almost 10lbs in a month thanks to that nonsense.  Insane, right?  It's not just the scale that's driving me nuts but I feel like crap too.  Sluggish, no energy, tired easily, clothes are fitting weird, the whole thing is just bad.  I'm mad that things got so out of control but what can you do?  You hop back on the wagon and don't give up.

Last week was when I really noticed things were "bad" and I decided to get back to a more paleo style diet.  I say paleo style because I am not committing to 100% paleo again.  I love counting the macros because I don't feel deprived of anything yet still feel in control too.  If that makes any sense.  BUT since I'd been living on a carb-filled diet for the month I decided I should probably try to cut those for a minute.  So that's what I've been doing, combined with counting my macros and it's been great.  I've been eating lots of yummy, healthy, pretty foods again.  I got my cooking mojo back, woo!  And I'm starting to feel better too, double woo!

Also, since November I've just been feeling "blah" in the workout department.  Call it the winter blues, call it SADD, call it what you will but doing anything worthy of breaking a sweat or leaving me sore for days did not sound appealing.  I wanted something "easy", something I could do in the mornings, something that wouldn't make me drip with sweat but something that would still feel like I was doing something.  That's when I discovered and fell in love with Yoga With Adriene.  From November-February I strictly practiced yoga as my workout. I completed two 30 day challenges and found a love for my body that I wish I'd had all along.  It was a great physical change but it was an even greater mental one.  I truly appreciate and love yoga in a whole new way now.

I also came out of it feeling reenergized.  Like I was ready to sweat again and it was time for something more challenging.  Then my T25 journey {the beginning} started showing up on my Timehop since it's been two years since I started it the first time. I started to feel re-inspired to start the program that changed everything for me all over again.  So I'm officially ending week two of T25 alpha today and it feels amazing.

It's completely different this time around though.  I remember the first time I did the entire program I felt like I had to keep up with Shaun T.  I didn't want to modify anything and sometimes that was a great big disadvantage to me because I would fizzle out and just stop or I'd take more breaks because I couldn't keep up.  This time I'm letting myself modify where I need to and I'm OK with it because it allows me to keep going. I was also pleasantly surprised that I hadn't lost all of my stamina over the past couple of months.  T25 is very different from yoga and I thought that I was going to be on the floor about to pass out at the first day of cardio but surprisingly I made it though and didn't feel like I was going to die!

I think coupling T25 with the macros is going to leave me with an amazing transformation.  I'm super excited about it.  I never take measurements because I'm too lazy but I did this time!  I took measurements, weight, and before pics so that I have a FULL testimony this time.  I can't wait.  Two weeks down, eight to go.


Stay tuned.

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...

• I'm afraid to watch the VS swim show tonight because it might make me hate my new bathing suit.
• Yes, I've already bought a new bathing suit.  Hoping it keeps me motivated to keep going with T25.
• I canceled my hair appointment yesterday so I could take the kids to the zoo.  I couldn't pass up such a gorgeous day!
• I tried the citrus green tea latte and I just thought it was so, so.  Maybe next time I'll try it with coconut milk...
• I shopped for Easter basket stuff with James with me.  Next year I will not be able to get away with that.
• I'm done Easter shopping now.  Baskets and outfits, done!
• I just found out about the pour over ice Starbucks iced coffee {that you buy at the grocery store} and I am OBSESSED!
• I thought The Bachelor Women Tell All was a snoozefest.  I also think that Caila as Bachelorette is going to be a total snoozefest.  Which I'll end up watching...but still...boring. 
• I suck at getting my SWW posts up in a timely manner.  
• I hate spending money on phone chargers.  WHY are they so overpriced?!
• I was so excited when I saw speed 1.0 was on the T25 schedule for today.  I think it's my favorite of the whole series.
• Being sick for the last month-ish ruined my macro counting but this week I'm back at it and loving it all over again.  Gimme all the foods!
• I want to get hair extensions but cannot stomach the price. 
• It is 70 here today and I busted out the sandals.  Who cares if it's only March?

My love for Aldi runs deep and I make no secret of that. I started shopping there over the summer after hearing numerous radio commercials about how "new and improved they were".  I also have a good girlfriend who loves shopping there and finally convinced me to give it a try.  Two words...

Life-changing.

Holy cow was I blown away the first time {and still, actually} I shopped there.  I got everything I would normally get {and then some, as usual} and my total was less than HALF of what it normally is at our local supermarket.  I buy organic produce and meat at Aldi.  I get all of the kids's snacks, cereal and organic juice there {so cheap}. I've not bought, but I've heard, they have good wine too {for like $4}.  I get all of our camping needs- foil, paper plates, plastic baggies, plastic silverware, and paper towels- at Aldi. There are a couple of things, however, I still buy at Kroger like soups, mac & cheese and coffee.  I just haven't had good luck with those things at Aldi yet.

Since I proudly proclaimed my love for Aldi on Instagram last week I got lots of requests to share my tips for shopping there.  I love sharing tips for saving money and good deals and Aldi has both. This is not sponsored, by the way.


So, tell me, do you sop at Aldi?  Do you love it as much as me?  Have you heard about it but haven't been brave enough to try it yet?  I hope this post helps because I think every can benefit from switching to Aldi.

Back in November I posted about an ear surgery I would be having right before Christmas. A few times since I've mentioned having it postponed but never really got into the details and I feel bad about that.  It's nothing major but I feel like I should update with the details since so many of you reached out to me after that post.

When I scheduled the surgery I knew that it was happening two days before Christmas and while that idea made me cringe at first, the more I thought about it the more it actually sounded like perfect timing.  I would be surrounded by family and friends for the time between Christmas and New Years so that would be nice/added/extra help.  My doctor assured me that I would be "ready to party" soon after the surgery so I wasn't worried about being "out of it" for Christmas or anything.

The thing that worried me, the reason I postponed my surgery, was because of James.  Following the surgery I wouldn't be able to lift anything for about 4 weeks, including my very heavy toddler.  At first I thought that would be no big deal.  He can walk and prefers to {most days}.  He can climb into his booster seat at the kitchen table.  He can go up and down stairs unassisted.  He climbs into and out of the bathtub now.  Honestly I don't pick him up and/or carry him all that often {did I mention he's heavy?}.

The list of things he cannot do and that I still need to do for him is never-ending.  I still have to get him out of his crib, for example.  We thought about switching him to a big boy bed a few weeks before the surgery was scheduled but he sleeps so well in his crib {still} and the thought of him being able to get in and out of bed by himself made me cringe a bit.  I also still have to lift him into his car seat, the grocery cart, the changing table, and the occasional "hold you" moments {that I still love and savor}.

I hated canceling that appointment because I truly need and want to hear again.  It's frustrating to wake up each day and not know if you'll be able to hear well or not.  Sometimes it changes throughout the day and I'll suddenly say, "ahhhh I can hear again!!!" and it's glorious.  But sadly most days I don't hear very well and say "huh?" a lot.  It's awkward in public and when I'm around people who don't know me very well.  I'm sure I've ignored more people than I know.  The receptionist at the kids' doctor was especially rude to me when I had to ask her numerous times to repeat herself {in my  defense she never spoke any louder, even after I said, "I'm sorry, I don't hear very well"}.  So, yeah, the surgery would have been really nice.

I don't have a new surgery date, we are just playing it by ear.  Whenever James is more independent is when I will do it.  I was initially thinking this summer but I doubt that is very realistic.  Besides, who wants to ruin summer with a stupid surgery ;-P.

This week I'm saying so what if...

• I spent my birthday gift cards on my kids.  I didn't find anything I really liked and they need stuff more than I do.  Whatever.
• I am ready for a 7 day Shakeology cleanse. This whole sickness crap has had me eating nothing but carbs and I feel like junk.  I need a detox.
• I am really excited to try that new citrus, green tea latte {or whatever it's called} at Starbucks.  
• I am starting T25 all over again.  After being sick and feeling really gross I'm ready for it.  Remind me of that when I'm complaining about how much I hate cardio.
• I don't care that my kids carry blankies and have no plans of ever "breaking" them of it.
• I love wearing my husband's sweatpants way more than my own.
• I've already started shopping for the kids' Easter baskets.
• I actually hate Target's website and find it so frustrating.
• I just googled 'natural laxative for dogs' because Bear ate a whole block of cream cheese last night.
• I sleep with an eye mask.
• I insist on taking Kendall to her Girl Scout meetings so that I can have an hour and half to myself while shes's there.
• My two favorite emojis are the laugh/cry one and the rolling eyes one.

I attempted a little 'currently' action over on Periscope a couple weeks back but it was a big fat flop and I just feel really uncool enough for all that so here I am, back in my element.

Reading:  I just finished In a Dark, Dark Wood thanks to Reese Witherspoon's book club.  I saw that she was making it into a movie and I just had to read it.  My mom read it prior to me and told me not to waste my time but I read it anyway.  I'm glad I did.  I liked it although it was slow and drawn out at times and rushed at others.  It's about a bachelorette party gone wrong and keeps you guessing most of the way through.  I definitely think it will make a better movie, which is usually the opposite.

Creeped out:  Please stop doing that face swap app with your kids. I totally scares me and creeps me out and I hate it.  K, thanks, bye.

Planning: Dave Matthews Band...I bought Jimmy tickets and surprised him with an overnight stay in a hotel for the two of us this May.  It's not often I get to surprise Jimmy with things seeing as we share one bank account and he is the breadwinner but I stashed away some cash just for something like this and he was really surprised and happy.  Cannot wait to spend the night alone with my main squeeze, it's been far too long.

Drinking:  Have you guys tried these The Original Donut Shop Nutty Caramel K-Cups?  AMAZE!   I add a little bit of the Natural Bliss Sweet Cream creamer and it's perfection!  Side note:  I tried those K-cups that have the creamer and sugar already added, no thank you- too sweet.
Shopping:  I love that my birthday is right when all the spring/summer clothes are coming out.  I always ask for gift cards so I can go on a big shopping spree and stock up on some new summer "essentials".  Maybe I'll do some sort of "fashion post" when they all arrive.  I've managed to spend all my gift cards {and then some} and got me and both kids stocked up and ready for summer.  Funny how I never feel this way when it's time to buy the winter clothes...

Watching: Breaking Bad.  I know I am so behind/out of the loop on this one but I can explain.  When Jimmy was on 2nd shift, and getting home after I was in bed, he started watching it and then got too far in for me to catch up.  But he insisted I see it {he claims it's the best series ever, ever} so he's re-watching.  I dig it but I wouldn't call it the best ever, ever.

Listening to:  I can't stop won't stop listening to Thomas Rhett 'Die a Happy Man'.  I wish that Jimmy wrote that song for me {LMAO}.  I love it.  And yes, I listen to country.  It's fine.

Smelling:  I make it no secret that I am a HUGE Scentsy fan {no I'm not a consultant}.  I love that they are safe to use around kids, I have one in every room of our house {even the garage}.  At my last party I bought coconut cotton without even smelling it- which I don't normally do.  I need at least 15 more bars because it's THAT GOOD.  It's the perfect scent for these warm-ish days we've been having.  I crack the windows open and get my spring cleaning on while coconut cotton warms in every room, amazing.

Eating:  All the carbs.  I swear just as I was getting the hang of this whole macro thing I got sick.  I got the puking, gross stomach bug and then followed it up with "strep" and can't shake it.  All I feel like eating is soup, pasta, bread, cake...I'm over it.

Guilty Pleasure:  Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry.  YOU GUYS!  I feel like we need to talk about this. Are you watching?  I am obsessed, blown away and kinda sorta want him to do a reading on me. Please don't tell me it's fake or I'll cry forever.

I think that's about it for now...what are some of your currents?!