{Ahh..the little things}

Good news

I was not sure if I should post this here before the weekend, so I didn't.  But now I can :)

This weekend we went to a big hog roast/birthday party for my Dad's 55th birthday, but they had a surprise in store for everyone...they were getting married too!

So, this weekend my Dad & Stevie were married on their little beach on the lake and there were alot of family & friends there to witness it all.  It was sweet & beautiful and I am very happy for them.

I doubt they would mind me posting pictures, but since I have not asked first, I'll show you a picture I can post...of their cute little flower (feather) girl.  Ellie was very happy to be asked to be the one to toss out Stevie's special white feathers.  She was nervous when it was time to get started, but Grandpa had big plans that did not let her think too much about it. -------->

He had the kids (Ellie & Ayden, the ring bearer) and Stevie load up on his boat, and they came around the point to the beach (where the "party" was going on).  He drove the boat right up onto the beach, and they hopped off and were married right there :)

It really was a wedding like none I have ever been to, full of things that were very "them" and that made it very memorable for everyone.  I wish them many years of happy times together <3

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On another note, there is good news in the biggest loser competition too...I've lost 2 lbs!  I doubt that I am the biggest loser this week, but am happy to know that the sacrifices that I have been making are getting me somewhere.  I felt encouraged by the loss & wanted to try even harder next week! 

digi scraps

 

I was trying to take part in last weeks digi-dare, but I finished my layout late :(  but here is my entry & I guess I'll move on to this weeks dare, LOL!  The theme of last week was to do something out of the ordinary, so I scrapped a different shape & used a designer that I never had before!  Fun stuff :)

How do you FIT it in?

Today the people at PBN are doing another fun blog blast, and I am so very excited to not only take part in this one (and I'd LOOOOOVE to win this prize, btw), but I am excited to go read everyone's post & see how they all FIT it in, as I am struggling with this one right now.

I have mentioned that I am dieting, and things are going okay most days.  I started Monday & the first few days I was HUNGRY all the time.  Then, I went and bought some great low calorie snacks, and things are looking up a bit.  I will not know for sure until I weigh in on Monday, but I am seeing a BIG change in my diet (I am was am a fast food junkie), so maybe I'll start to see a big change in my weight too!?

But, excercise? 

Right now I am not doing any, just my day to day life (which some days feels like a marathon, LOL). There are meals to be made, and then cleaned up after, diapers to be changed, baby to be nursed, teeth to brush, potty breaks & floor clean up (I have a BOY potty training), a trip to school, another trip in the afternoon to Kindergarten, picking them up after school (do not forget that two are still in carseats, that is work itself) hair to fix, clothes to pick out, kids to dress, laundry to do, dishes too (still do not own a dishwasher..UGH!), messes to be swept up, toys to trip over pick up, fights to break up, snacks to fix, kool-aid to stir, sippy cups to fill, and I am wearing myself out just thinking of it all...

So, you still wanna know How do I FIT it in? 

I don't  :)  But I'd like to!  I used to love to take walks with the kids on the bikepath here in town.  I'd take them while Kaden was in school, or wait until we'd pick him up after school.  I loved to be outside with the kids, letting them run off some energy while I was able to get some excercise too.  Now I am so tired by the time afternoon comes that I am ready to get them home and try to relax.

So, like I said, I am excited to read today's posts.  I want to see how you all do it, and see if I get inspired to get FIT!!  And if that does not work, maybe the cool prizes from Ryka will,  because the grand prize winner of the blast will get an entire outfit from Ryka (including new shoes) and 4 runners up will get a free pair of sneaks!  I already have my eye on this, and these look comfy...off to look at the shoes :)

getting to that tag :)

My friend Meghann tagged me not so long ago & I told her I was working on it :)  I have to pick 6 weird things about myself, and I am not all that weird, so I was having a hard time.  At least I think I am not very weird, LOL, so I decided to just start the post & see what I can come up with....

And just for fun, I am posting a weird picture too.  I was actually laughing with Ava, but how hilarious is that face I am making??

1. I must have a drink when I am driving (no alcohol, so do not get all worked up, LOL) and like to have a drink & snack if I am going to be the passenger
2. I really like bologna, and it is best when it is "fried" with cheese (I make mine in the microwave instead of frying)
3. I am superstitious thanks to my Mom, but LOVE the number 13 thanks to my Dad
4. The smell of chlorine is wonderful to me, it means CLEAN & I love it
5. I have an issue with textures of food, I hate hate hate slimey things (mayo, over easy eggs, custard...UGH!)
6. I think I am weird that when asked what is weird about me, most things I can think of are things related to food  :)

I am not tagging anyone, but if you decide that you'd like to play along, go ahead, then let me know so that I can read about you & your weird-ness

the biggest loser

featuring ME  :)

A few friends & I have decided that it is time to lose some weight, and we are doing it together, biggest loser style!  We've decided to pay in $5 on a weekly weigh-in for 8 weeks.  The winner will take home the accumulated $$ which should be $200!!  I have not been very active in trying to lose my baby weight, and I am hoping that the money will be a good motivator :) 

We are allowed to lose the weight however we chose, and that is where I am having some trouble.  We started today, and so far I am just trying to count calories and stay within a reasonable limit.  The problem I for see is that I drink ALOT of my calories each day.  Sweet tea, lemonade, fruit punch, and the occasional coke.  If you notice, I am missing something very key to losing weight...WATER!  I am not a big water drinker, so that is something else I am going to try to do more of. 

In the past I have had weight to lose, but only gave it an honest try a few times.  I was able to take off 10 lbs through doing a low carb diet (similar to Adkins) once, and I also tried a diet pill and exercising, which both worked as well.  I am having trouble now because I am still nursing, so I have not dieted yet, but truth be told, there is no exercising going on here either *sigh*

So, considering the nursing, I am thinking that lowering my calories is the way to go.  One side effect can be that my milk supply may go down.  As I was thinking about these next 8 weeks, I realized at the end of them is Ava's first birthday (!!!!!!!) & that was when I *planned* to wean.  If my supply does go down, I may start the process now (as I had thought about already too) and see how it goes.  I would be happy now if I could go down to night & morning nursing, so we'll see what happens in the next week or so.

I know this post is a bunch of mumbled jumbled thoughts, but I wanted to post here about the challenge.  It makes me feel more accountable when I blog about doing something.  So, there it is...I am officially dieting, and you all know ti now :)  Cheer me on, pray for me, do whatever it is you do, but know that I am in for a tough 8 weeks.  I really want to win this!

If you have some great tips/recipes, let me know.  I am NOT the dieting type, so I am going to need all the help I can get :)

love notes

Love notes used to be a big part of our lives....

First, they were little notes about our plans for the day, what time we'd be home, etc (this was before cell phones, LOL) and a little love added in here & there. 

Then we had a dry erase board on the fridge where we would leave our little well wishes to one another.  With each child we added, I noticed that our notes became less & less a part of our lives. 

And now, they do not come very often.  But, truth be told, I love these random love notes even more than the daily ones.  Just like the one pictured above on a (very) little piece of torn paper.  And look where he placed it.  Yes, this man knows me, and knows something placed on my computer will not be missed :) 

f you look closely, there are just four words...

Brad Paisley, She's Everything

He heard the song one day on the radio & said it reminded him of how he feels about me. 

How sweet is that?

Alot of the song really does sound alot like me, and it made me smile listening to it and thinking he saw alot of me in it too.  Not only in the way that I am, but also the way that he feels about me.  It makes me feel very lucky that we still have that connection as time passes.  Especially after long days with the kids, when I feel like I am so worn out, no shower, messy house, wondering how anyone can still find anything left in me...he does.

She's a yellow pair of running shoes, A holey pair of jeans, She looks great in cheap sunglasses, She looks great in anything,  She's I want a piece of chocolate, Take me to a movie, She's I can't find a thing to wear, Now and then she's moody

She's a Saturn with a sunroof, With her brown hair a-blowing, She's a soft place to land
And a good feeling knowing, She's a warm conversation, That I wouldn't miss for nothing, she's a fighter when she's mad, And she's a lover when she's loving

And she's everything I ever wanted, And everything I need
I talk about her, I go on and on and on, 'Cause she's everything to me

She's a Saturday out on the town, And a church girl on Sunday, She's a cross around her neck, And a cuss word 'cause its Monday, She's a bubble bath and candles, Baby come and kiss me, She's a one glass of wine, And she's feeling kinda tipsy

She's the giver I wish I could be, And the stealer of the covers, She's a picture in my wallet of my unborn children's mother, She's the hand that I'm holding, When I'm on my knees and praying, She's the answer to my prayer, And she's the song that I'm playing

She's the voice I love to hear, Someday when I'm ninety, She's that wooden rocking chair I want rocking right beside me, Everyday that passes, I only love her more, Yeah, she's the one, That I'd lay down my own life for

And she's everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
She's everything to me
Yeah she's everything to me

the good stuff

Is it just me, or are there some places that just have the best of the good stuff?

I can not find a sweet tea that compares to the tea they serve at Cracker Barrel, although someone told me that McDonald's sweet tea is very close.  We do not have sweet tea at ours, but while on vacation "down south" I tried it & it was very good, but just not the Cracker Barrel sweet tea that I love so much!

And who does not love an ice cold McDonald's fountain coke?  I always thought it was the best, but recently I have noticed that Tim Horton's is even better *gasp* because they have the. best. ice.  Yes, you read that right, they have the best ice.  Those little chunks of ice & air, oh my goodness!  When I am out and about running the kids here & there, I love to have an ice cold Tim Horton's coke along for the ride :)

So, what kinds of simple things are on your good stuff list?

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editing to add this yummy icey info (found here)

Nugget Ice
Hard, cylindrical, randomly-sized bits of ice that are actually compacted flaked ice.

Application:
Carbonated beverages, food displays, ice dispensing; therapeutic needs.

Advantages:
A consumer preference, soft, chewable nugget ice is versatile and slow-melting. Nuggets help drinks cool rapidly (without wasteful foaming) and stay cool longer, yet allow drinks to maintain their flavor. The hard bits of ice remain free-flowing at all times, and make iced displays look crisper and stay fresher longer.

oh yeah

just call me Super Mom  :) 

I bought a tube of that refrigerated pretzel dough & the kids and I just twisted them, or at least some of them...they decided that a few of them would be shaped as snails, LOL!  They are baking in the oven now, and they think I am the greastest Mom ever.  I'm going to go make some kool-aid and our afterschool snack will be complete! 

The simple little things in life... I love it when the little things make them (and me) happy :)

random thoughts #3

I stole the idea to number my random posts from Heather :)  so, because I am not feeling very creative, yet have alot on my mind I decided to just go with it.  Thanks Heather!

The weekend & last few days have been like a roller coaster of sorts, with some really great highs and some very low lows. 

The good thing about it (the low part) is the feeling that you get about life in general.  I have that "don't sweat the small stuff" attitude right now, and I love feeling like that.  I wish that I was smart enough to keep to it...

Here is the quick version:

The HIGHS

• another great long weekend at the lake
• lots of downtime (and a nap even!!)
• watching the kids bond with thier grandparents
• taking the time to notice the sweet things the kids do
• yummy margarita's 
• Ava is starting to copy alot of what we say (sounds) SOO cute!
• a nice dinner with the in-laws in thier new florida room that Harry built this summer
• watching old home movies cuddled up with Harry last night
• having my spirit renewed being with some MOPS friends
• listening to Tara's Mom talk about her last few moments (it was quick & beautiful)

The LOWS

• hearing that a friend of mine lost her battle with cancer
• grieving her loss in the van (full of the family)
• attending her service, watching her slideshow
• leaving the lake, knowing that summer is ending
• coming home to the mess & tackling vacation laundry (again)!!

The week ahead.... K's soccer practice & game, starting Bible study, a cousin's (Harry's) wedding, a 30th birthday party for a friend

Prayers requested for Tara's extended chain of loved ones.  Being from a small town, her loss affects SOOO many people. 

It seems her family is holding up well, they are happy to see her peaceful now after her two long years of struggle.  She is in God's hands now, and that comforts them :)  I know that they will still miss her like crazy though *sigh*   

Her children are (of course) on my mind continuously, as is my Ellie's teacher.  She is also Lance's & that little guy just started school Monday, then lost his Mom Saturday, I can only imagine what a tough time this year will bring.