Well Look at Those Milestones!

The majority of my life lately has been lived out of a bag by the side of my bed. The bed I am referring to has included a too small, back breaking bed in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, a fluffy king-sized bed in San Francisco and most recently, double queens just for me in Nashville, Tennessee. My own bed has made an appearance as well, but said bag has remained right there beside it.

So now I'm sufficiently rested and adjusted to my own time zone, the bag is finally unpacked and we are completely loving all the cherished new memories the last 6 weeks have accumulated. So don't be too mad. Give me a minute or 13 and I'll update you on a few milestones at our house. (More on all our travels coming soon!)

1. Michael has two teeth! I didn't know if we'd ever actually meet her, but that little tooth fairy is bound to make an appearance sometime in the next 6 years. (That is, if nature flows it's course and the teeth we've been waiting for actually fall out like they're supposed to).

2. I hit 20 lb postpartum weight loss! Whew. I'm pretty proud of myself and truthfully I wanted to celebrate with chocolate cake. I didn't, just for the record.

I still have a ways to go, but I'm so happy with my progress. JR and I are starting another 24 Day Challenge on Monday and I'm incredibly excited to roundhouse kick this one in the face. The biggest surprise and the most motivating factor on this journey are one and the same. I didn't know my body was capable of the changes it has been making. I feel like my whole life I have had the same pear-shaped body. Weight loss in the past meant a smaller pear. This time around, my body is changing. The weight isn't just coming off, it's shifting. Is that weird? My body composition. It's different and it's crazy. Crazy motivating!

3. JR started a new job! He's still with the same company, but they have given him a lot more slash different responsibilities and he's been a champ as he has had to sift through all the change. JR is a born leader, and I can't help but be completely amazed as I watch him juggle so much. Guys. He's good at it.

4. We're done with another semester of school!!!!!! (!!!) I say we, and I mean it. JR did most of the work with the skills of a ninja, but there were a few late nights of trade offs that looked suspiciously like Mandy writing JR's papers while JR gave Mandy back rubs. The back rubs were never abused, I swear. That last paragraph always needs a minimum of 20 minutes to account for editing and grammatical correctness.

Overall, the Sandovals are doing really well. We're excited for summer and really itching for our first camping trip. We're feeling extremely blessed for opportunities to see new parts of the world and travel together. We are working hard and finding every excuse to play. Life is goooooood!