Clean Slate

I have finally decided (yeah... my skull is pretty thick) to wipe my slate clean. All of my "to do's" aren't "to do's" anymore. For the duration of the deployment, I am cutting back on my extracurricular activities. My priorities will be my children, the gym, and young womens. Nothing else will be added (of course grocery shopping is a must on occasion as well as the errands) to my list unless my priorities have been met and I have a) cleaned my house and b) spent quality time with my kids. I'm refusing to run around like a chicken with my head cut off. Done. Believe me, with 3 children to care for, shopping, laundry, cleaning, dr.'s appts, etc. I will have PLENTY to keep me busy!

Physique 57

Ok, guys. I gotta bring out the big guns. I finally ordered myself some physique 57 dvd's and equipment to help me on my weight loss challenge. If you haven't heard of them before, Kelly Ripa really likes their workouts and I think does them regularly. I am excited to try them and just know I will have a blast with them. SO MUCH FUN!!! I'll let you know how it goes. In the mean time... anyone have some really good de-stressing advice? I'd love to hear how you "unwind".

Kidding me, right!?

Just attended an AWFUL "get together":
- awfully chaotic
- awfully attended
- awfully few leaders
- awfully disheartening for the youth


Honestly, come one people! Our youth deserve more than that. If WE can't attend an activity and support them, you can guarantee that they are not going to want to be there. I just feel badly that there isn't enough guidance and support for them. They are our future. Sometimes I think, maybe we are what makes the youths' lives harder.... by not being there for them.

Bi-polar day

Today was quite an intense one. It started off with "I HATE YOU!!" repeated just short of a million times before school. My middle child followed it with "You are the best mom EVER!" upon returning home from taking said child to school. Then I was just told minutes ago that, "You are the best cookie chef EVER and EVER!" (by the girl who hated me this morning). Ugh.... it's been a day. As a young mother, you think that inevitably someday one of your children will say those words to you. I.....hate....you... I thought that I would just be able to shrug it off and continue about my day. I might have been able to do just that had I not continued looking at her as she repeated those words over and over with tears streaming down her face. Ouch... yup, that one hurt me.

Happy Valentines Day!

I hope that today wasn't too much of a bummer (since it is Sunday, and maybe your hubby isn't around either). My dad made heart shaped pancakes for us and the girls helped to make some heart sugar cookies for all of us for dinner. Since I made so much stinkin lettuce for the cafe rio stuff at the baby shower, I went ahead and did cafe rio for dinner tonight for the family (and in-laws). Everyone liked it. I'm still waiting to find out what Jeremiah did for me for Valentines. Due to slow internet and the fact the the ship just can't do anything without my husbands help, I haven't gotten the present yet, but I am WAY excited to find out what he did. I am so grateful for the internet and telephone technology to keep us in touch and make it seem as though he isn't as far away as he is. Plus, you can still receive gifts from them in time for holidays/birthdays/anniversaries! I love that all of you are my friends and I'm so blessed to have you all in my life. Thank you for your friendships!! To my family and husband, I couldn't have asked for a better bunch of people to spend eternity with.

Slaving away

Got myself on another organizing kick. Let me tell you though, it's kinda tough stuff, and a very slow process. I hope to be able to get rid of some of my girl clothes and send them to my nieces here soon. Just figuring out how many stinking books we have and trying to down size as much as possible. (No honey, I'm not throwing our books away) It's something I am really really really wanting to finally attain - organization!!! Let's hope it happens soon.


On a great note, Old Navy still had their clearance on clearance yesterday when I went. I saw a pair of pants in the size I hope to be by the time the weight loss challenge is over. For right around $5 for a pair of jeans, I figured it wouldn't be a very expensive bit of decor. I am going to hang it up in my room so I can see it everyday. WATCHING my goal. So yes, between trying to get organized, the gym, and my children, I am DEFINITELY slaving away at life. But... I have to admit, it's kind of fabulous (for now).

crazy week

I have most definitely had a crazy week. I do not wish to EVER visit this past week AGAIN!! Thank heavens most things in life are visited only once. Too much to even share really. The big highlights were: not being able to really get to the gym, taking julia to the hospital twice between Sunday and Thursday to FINALLY get that bead out, and getting sick this whole weekend. I must admit that I am grateful I took an absence from life the past few days because I think I will be all the better for it this week. I look forward to unwinding and hopefully getting a lot accomplished. For those ladies who are in the challenge with me, this month isn't going to look good for me on the scale. I have HIGH expectations that I will find myself only about 10 lbs lighter than I started earlier this month. I won't be the biggest loser this month. I have had a LOT of set backs. Good luck to you other ladies though.... I'm excited to see who gets it this month.

Which would you choose?

I've been kind of in a Jane Austen funk. Good kind of funk though. I watched a different take of Pride and Prejudice yesterday and came away thinking.... hmmm... which would I rather, Darcy or Bingley?? I am still trying to assess which one exactly I have married. I will update with my answer later. So, which would you ladies rather, Darcy or Bingley and why? Or do you prefer one and find you have married the other? (but are of course extremely happy)

Julia's operation

As an update to Julia's little "predicament" - she will be in an OR on Thursday if things do not change. Finally able to get the bead out of her ear. I'm not quite sure how many hours I will get to add to the 11 I have already spent trying to save her ear from further damage. I spent 4 hours at the hospital this morning and spent most of them waiting in the pre-op area to have a 30 second meeting. I had an epiphany while I was there. If the world seems to think this standardized health care thing is such a great idea, you should talk to a military dependent. If you want to wait for an average of 2.5 hours to get a prescription filled at the pharmacy, go on wild goose chases, or spend 11 plus hours trying to get a bead out of a child's ear - then Obama's health care is for you!!!

Lend me your ears.....

So, Julia somehow got something in her ear. Not sure when, not sure how. I just "happened" to be doing ears today and checked hers, noticing there was something in it. After 7 hours at the Naval Hospital - it's still in her ear. She will be going to an OR room later this week to have it removed by an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. She had had about enough of people looking/poking in her ear and would not sit still long enough to get it out (about 3 seconds - according to the specialist). So, OR - here we come!! It better come out or else I think I will have a conniption fit! Ugh!! Due to all other circumstances, this was pretty much the only option we had left. Upon returning to the ER, the doctor that discharged us from the hospital was the same doctor that helped deliver Julia. Small world, eh? No wait... that's what happens when you never stinking LEAVE!! This next week looks pretty shot as far as my working out goes.... so ladies, you'll win the money this month... but next time - it's on like donkey kong!! (hehe)

Let's all keep our fingers crossed that Julia doesn't do this again... please????!!!

SALE SPOTTERS

on my latest adventure to find some sales, we (tara and I) found some good ones.


MILITARY MEMBERS - for this weekend only, you get 10% off your entire purchase at Old Navy, so if you aren't lucky enough to have an in store coupon, show them that ID!!

ALSO AT OLD NAVY - went to the one in Chesapeake, but the clearance sections (all over the store) are an ADDITIONAL 50% off lowest ticketed price. I didn't pay more than $3.50 for anything. (plus, if you are military you get an additional 10% - if you are lucky, you can get some AWESOME stuff CHEAP)

THE CHILDRENS PLACE - most of the store is $5. They have sweaters, jammies, shirts, pants, tights, etc. ALL for $4.99 (oh and brooke, don't get any accessories for that cute green sweater of Jude's - I bought a coordinating accessory for you)


GYMBOREE - they have their semi-annual sale going on and you can use your GYMBucks if you have earned any so far.

BATH AND BODY WORKS - their semi-annual sale is about to end. hurry in for your $5 wallflowers (which includes the aromatherapy versions that are NOT found with the other wallflowers. they have the same regular price listed, but are indeed $5) 4 for 10 soaps and a lot more.

I think that about sums it up for now, if you've found something great that we don't have posted, send us a line - we will put it up here AND we'll probably visit the store - we love a good deal. TTFN!

Blessing and Prayers

As a lot of you guys already know, my sister (not my youngest that most of you have met..) had to go in for an emergency surgery last night. She has two sweet little girls at home and a loving husband and was rushed to surgery last night upon finding out that she had an ectopic pregnancy that has been causing her pain for about a month. Unfortunately, she had an underlying symptom that caused the doctors to miss it at first. The pregnancy put strain on the fallopian tube which in turn pulled the appendix and moved her rectum as well which caused the intense pain she suffered at irregular intervals. They had to remove the fallopian tube with the pregnancy in it because it had ruptured and was completely irreparable. They also noticed that the appendix was under strain and therefore inflamed so they took that out as well to save her another surgery within the week. Her mother-in-law was blessed enough to fly out first thing this morning to be with her family to help with the girls. Her youngest daughter, Ella hadn't been able to take a bottle up until this time - but her grandmother worked her magic and she had her first bottle while her mother was still at the hospital. I know many of you have been thinking about her and praying for her - thank you so much! The power of prayer is an amazing thing and we are so lucky and blessed to have it in our lives and to be able to exercise and ask for His help. Once again, thank you so much to everyone! Those of you with younger siblings, you know how you feel as though you need to protect them - so naturally I was afraid for her to have to go into a surgery and basically have her life saved.

It's that time again......

Close to meltdown? Why? Oh, just because my husband is gone, that's all. It's amazing the things that will go wrong when my husband is gone (AND NOT EVEN FOR A WEEK YET!!). What broke down/went chaotic this time you ask? Oh, just my only mode of transportation. The "service engine soon" light came on on Friday night. Yup, way fun. The blessing of it all (and may I also add that with every crisis while my husband is away, there is a tremendous blessing that accompanies it) is that the problem isn't too serious. Unfortunately, it looks like the fix may be a bit involved which means that if that is the case, I will be donating some money to the Nissan dealership here pretty soon. Gotta love those forced donations, I really miss my wonderful "fix it" husband at times like these!! On a slightly nicer note, I still have been doing well with my exercising and weight loss goals. I'll have to weigh in on Monday to see how well I've done. Keep up the good work ladies, I know you all have been working hard.

Excited.... again!

More people have joined the group for a healthier 2010! I'm so excited. I just want to go run a 5K or something!! Ladies, we can do it! I hope that snow doesn't show up so that I can get to the gym tomorrow. Nighty Night!

Tooting my horn.....

Yes, sometimes in life, I believe that you need to toot your own horn. Why, you ask? Because I'm so stinkin excited!!! I have been faithful for a full two days so far on this weight loss journey. I feel amazing, I have stuck with it and I'm really proud of myself! Sadly, I'm even going to miss a special birthday celebration lunch because I don't want to go over my calories for the day. (sorry Deborah... hopefully I see you at the gym so I can give you your present). Yeah, pathetic huh? BUT... that's how I roll! I have to do it that way or I don't have a shot at winning. Well.... gotta hit that gym!

So excited

I'm extremely excited that you all are going to be seeing less of me very soon. I'm starting a "biggest loser" challenge with some friends tomorrow and I'm getting really excited. I think it will be a lot of fun and it will be awesome to achieve our goals together. I've been diving into quite a few books lately about eating and exercise and I have a few things that I want to try out. I've even gone so far as to print out some intimidating pictures of Jillian Michaels off the computer to put around my kitchen/house. Whenever you all come over, you're going to see all sorts of motivation up on the walls/cabinets. That's my defense to the wonderful (yet unhealthy) sugars and ice cream waiting to be consumed. I'm pumped to get pumped. YAY!!

I'm also really excited about the new YW personal progress program. Since they recently added virtue to the list, they have come out with some new books and guidelines. Now any woman can do this program! Mothers can do it with their daughters, non-members can do it, and I can do it! The medallions have changed a bit and are so exciting, that I HAVE to earn one! So, I will be working on my Womanhood recognition medallion this year as well. Oh... to achieve. I just have so much hope and look forward to this year. Clean slate, and I'm determined to stay on track! CARPE DIEM!!!

Happy New Year!!

Now to start our 2010!!! A new year, new beginning, better life. At least we are striving and hoping for a better life this year, after all, that is what I am constantly striving to achieve. I think 9-12 church will be a nice start..... ahhhh. Sunday naps.... here we come!

A few of my resolutions are:
* lose 30 lbs
* become more organized
* do better at saving $
* better at scripture study


Let's see if I can tackle these first - that will give me enough work to get the year started.

Patient Much???

Ok, I stumbled across this just now while trying to check that weather for the coming week. STINKIN HILARIOUS!!!! Be sure to notice the time in the bottom left hand corner of the video.

Merry Christmas!

After a day of hustle and bustle around our neck of the woods, we are VERY happy to be taking it easy today. A nice day at home, with family. I'm already up with Hunter (didn't I predict it?) and the girls should be up shortly to begin our present pandemonium. Last night's shepherd's dinner went well, even though it happened a lot later in the evening than I was planning. Most of all, I wish you ALL a very Merry Christmas. May you always remember the reason for this season and try to keep that with you all year long.

Christmas Eve Photoshoot

Our family had a quick photoshoot today to get some last minute gifts for grandparents and to make sure we have a family photo before Jeremiah ships off. If you want to see our mugs... click here. I know, my face doesn't look the best in some of them. I guess me and white don't get along much.