Snow Day

Little Momma had a snow day last week and since I wasn't feeling well and we obviously had nothing better to do.... I put makeup on them.  Not your run of the mill fake stuff you buy down the toy aisle.... MOMMY MAKE-UP.  This is how they looked after: 

Valentine's Day

I wanted to be sure that I documented this act of kindness, BEFORE I vent in the next post.  My husband had told me he got me something for Valentine's Day this year.  He wouldn't tell me what, and said I had to wait until the actual day (oh and I couldn't get on the bank account - (I am the accountant)).   Hmmm..... and honestly?  I did NOT peek!  Monday came and I got these delivered in a box (with no flower food like advertised I might add..... although... NOT the hubby's fault).

Which later bloomed to be this.  Beautiful, I know.  Stargazers and Iris'.   Truly beautiful flowers, just a little too potent for my unfortunate "pregnancy" nose.  One of the biggest downfalls for me EVERY pregnancy is the heightened sense of smell that I experience. Truly, not a very good thing most days. The iris' were beginning to die and the stargazers were still blooming.  I had to throw them out (I wanted to suffer through but I kept getting sick).  THANK YOU FOR THE FLOWERS!!!  (and chocolate)

Got Punxsutawney??

Being the Pennsylvanian that I am, I have to show my Groundhog Day pride today since our dear groundhog, Phil, did not see his shadow this morning!!!   I am sure you are all wondering what his prediction was because it most definitely wasn't on Yahoo news today!   #1 told me this morning that her teacher told them all to keep their fingers crossed that Phil wouldn't see his shadow today - TaDa!  It worked!!!  Here's to hoping tomorrow will indeed be different (except for the beautiful weather we had today)! 

Exercise Entry #5

Ok, so there has been a little sporadic amidst the exercising of late.  Some mornings (and days) it was raining which squashed my morning run.  Others it was raining in the evening or I needed to fulfill my role as "Mom".  Some, I was just plain exhausted.  I have continued running in the morning as often as I can.  This week I have gone every morning but this morning due to rain - it was in the 60's already just after 7 am, but I just couldn't get past the wind and rain. =(   Another excuse has crawled in as well..... I'm PREGNANT!!  Yes, that can put a damper on a quest for losing weight like I have.  However, it can also be pretty driving as well.  Since I had already started running before I found out I was pregnant, I should be able to continue.  I will most likely not add more distance to the run, but just continue to help my body be accustomed to the distance.  I still use my bike at home too.   Getting a schedule for that is a little more of a challenge.   The hubby has a dental surgery appt tomorrow so his day of work will start much earlier - squashing my chance at a run.  I guess tomorrow morning will find me on my bike.  Now if I could only read a book while on the bike, or blog, or check out sales while on the bike, I would be a very fit soul indeed!  

The nausea has set in as well.  This morning my stomach wasn't up for much - I think a yogurt was all it could take without WANTING to chuck it.  So far, I have been able to keep it all down.... and it seems it is only in the morning as well.  Maybe if we could just get it to cooperate with my striving for a healthy diet.  Love the healthy stuff, chuck the not-so-healthy?!   Eh, I can wish can't I?? 

Funny things

So my middle child says the other day on our way to the MCX to checkout some redbox movies:

Destructo: "Are we going to the letter store? I want to go to the letter store!" 
Me: "I'm not sure what you are talking about.  What is the letter store? "
Destructo: (as she points) "Right..... there."  (clearly pointing to the MCX)
Me: laugh and say "Oh, THAT'S the letter store, yes we are going there."

Exercise Entry #4

Things have been going well in the exercise department.  There have been a few days where we have had rain and so I didn't run (I am not THAT crazy).  Today I was able to get a morning run in but I won't be able to get the evening run in due to youth activity tonight.  I have been running and doing my exercise bike.  I need to start incorporating some workout videos, but for now, I think I am at least sticking to some activity.  As a side note, why can't things labeled FREE actually be FREE??  What is wrong with being charitable and rewarding customers/visitors?  Awful awful awful, let me tell you.  I just can't stand everyone's catch 22 way of giving.  Arghh. 

FHE

Most Mondays we sit down and do the "routine".  Welcome, opening prayer, song, lesson (which is generally an article from the Friend), scripture, closing prayer.  Pretty much cut and dry.  Since we have been shown the great blessing of the Mormon Messages, we have put a few of those in the mix as well.  It has been a really wonderful experience and gives us some inspiration and most definitely a spiritual experience to start each new week.  I wish they would come out with some new ones though!  It is wonderful to see the children paying attention and the husband occasionally teary eyed over the message that is shared (he was that way tonight).   Next time you get the chance, check it out if you haven't.  It will definitely improve your day or help it start right.

Exercise Entry #3

I jumped back on track today after a relatively calm weekend to recover.  It was a busy weekend to say the least.  I ran a total of 3 miles today.  One and a half in the morning and one and a half in the evening.  I am consistent with my time which is great.  I keep telling myself by the time it starts warming up, I will be able to finish it quicker.  Then I can add a little more distance to it.   I hope that this helps me to come to love running.  We'll see.  I will miss my morning run tomorrow because my hubby needs to be up early - but I still intend on doing my evening run.  Woohoo!  Here is to good health in 2011!

Exercise Entry #2

Wednesday was a successful day for me. I stuck with my calorie goal and did really well with my exercising.  I ran 1.5 miles in the morning without stopping and then rode my bike for about 3 miles to walk the dog.  After dinner, I ran another 1.5 miles without stopping.  That would be a total of 3 miles for the day!  Due to  miscommunication I was unable to run Thursday morning (hubby needed to be to work early) and because of youth activity that night, I wasn't able to run.  I planned on biking but decided to let it be a "day off" due to my sore quad muscles.  I feel more rested today and hope to jump on the spin bike and do a workout video or two.  My husband won't be around much this weekend - scout camp-out - so I will have to do a lot of things in my home instead. Here's to a new day and another chance to reach my goal!

Exercise Journal : Entry #1

I have decided to keep track of my exercise routine and keep a goal for myself.  That way I end up being more accountable and hopefully see those extra pounds go away.   A few years back when I thought I was looking good - my motivation was my husband.  I just really wanted to look good for him when he returned from his deployment.  The reaction I got???  "You're too skinny"   Well, I don't care which way you look at that folks, I was shot down!  Since then, getting the motivation to lose has been harder than ever.  It kind of trips you out when you want something that bad, but know that your significant other isn't going to like it. Now, I am not harping on my hubby when I mention that..... I am merely putting it down in writing as to my aversion to losing weight.  I am determined to get back on track.  I have decided to keep track of my exercising (as a way of seeing my improvement) and to very lightly touch on my food intake (i.e.  ate really healthy today..... vs......chowed down on some junk food). 

So far.... for today, this is what I have.  In my quest to wake up before mom's should be awake.... I found out really fast that I just couldn't sustain that wake up time every morning.  I got myself a spin bike and have now gotten motivation to run outside (gasp!).  My plan for today was to wake up, bike and do the 30 day shred video.  Yeah.... none of that happened today.  Instead, I waited all day (doing mom stuff of course) and decided to go for a 1.5 mile run this evening.  My goal?  To do it WITHOUT stopping.   Just in case you all don't already know this.  The word "RUN" is pretty much a curse word to me.  I would rather do ANYTHING than run, but I am desperate.  I want to see that scale drop.  I have come to the conclusion that I need to up my intensity in order to reach that goal.   From my third step out of my front door to where I finished almost 1.5 miles later, I did NOT stop and walk ONCE.  I allowed myself a couple hundred feet of cool down space and stretched well indoors.  I felt WONDERFUL!  Yes, I admit there was some "eye of the tiger" on my mp3 at one point encouraging me to not give up.  My decision was to stick with a pace I could stick to (however slow it may have been) and if I needed to make it a little slower at times, I could - just as long as I didn't stop.  I didn't time myself and I don't plan to until my body gets accustomed to running the 1.5 miles.   Once that becomes easy, I will take it up a notch and start timing myself.  Let's hope this sticks (and my fat doesn't)!

DC part 3 (the final chapter)

Hubby at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (guard in background)

Kennedy Mansion @ Arlington

Honest Abe

My children an I with Honest Abe

The View from the ramp @ the Lincoln Memorial

Our final days in DC were spent at Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, and a memorial or two that I could photograph as we drove/walked by.  It became a family joke about how there are SO many handicapped parking spots available VERY close to the memorials, yet the handicap access is SO far away and hard to navigate!  Argh to those lawmakers!  Our first stop was Arlington.  The hubby was able to see the Tomb of the Unknown changing of the guard firsthand and to participate in the solemnity there.  A.D.D me kept thinking about how awesome it would be to see the cemetery during the second coming.... all those soldiers/sailors being resurrected with their buddies!  What a reunion that would be!  I know.... sometimes my mind is very twisted.  Next was the ONLY thing I really cared to see the whole week:  Honest Abe!  I honestly think he must have been a truly amazing man to know.  I walked climbed the overcrowded steps and waited for my family to arrive.  Taking a picture with Honest Abe was a difficult task.  There were many people in the foreground/background/everywhere!  I think we finally scored a photo or two with no one other than Honest Abe and one of us.  As we walked down the steps and mapped out our trek to the car.... we noticed the Korean War memorial (I thought it was Vietnam at first) and took a couple snap shots.  There was a veteran of the war there on the grounds talking to a few people.  I was also able to take a couple photos of the WWII memorial while we drove around looking for parking spots to Lincoln.  The up-news was we were able to get all of that done before lunch - so we made the commute back home and had some lunch.  All of this happened on Friday - New Year's Eve - our last whole day in DC.   The next morning was spent getting the car packed down and the family situated for the ride home.  Luckily we were able to make good time and  left the hotel early enough to give us the blessing of naps.  Words cannot express how grateful I was to have my children back in their rooms!  Having everyone sleep in the same "suite" was rough enough.

Korean War Memorial

DC part 2 (NRA and National Mall)

Taking the men to the NRA Museum I think was a dream come true....... for them.   Look at these faces.... PRICELESS!!  Anyway, we enjoyed looking around and even got in some pictures with some famous guys.  There were enough things to run around and see - the kids were entertained.... mostly.

Look at these guys...... MEN in a candy store!

Hubby and little man with my hubby's hero - John Wayne

The kids chillin' with Charlton Heston - the legend

 The next day we hopped on the metro and rode into DC.  My girls were excited to ride a "train".  I have to say the trip home was much more comfortable than the trip down.  Our first stop was the Air and Space Museum.  There were TONS of stuff to do and touch there.  Then a smaller group of us headed next door to the Native American Indian Museum where we found pictures by George Catlyn.  Then it was off to the Museum of Natural History (REALLY CROWDED there) I will definitely have to go back there without children and enjoy the exhibits they have.  There were some pretty cool rooms.  Then we booked it to Hard Rock cafe to get the hubby his "collection" shirt and to hopefully eat.  We were cutting it close to rush hour and there was a 20 minute wait, so we headed for home.

First Metro ride - EVER!  Lovin it too.

First Destination: Air and Space!!

Museum of Natural History - really cool room that pictures don't do justice to

American Indian Museum Picture by George Catlyn - yeah, that's right, part of my hubby's namesake here!

Rice Krispy Houses

I will admit, I had wholeheartedly planned on making these over Christmas break, but it didn't happen until yesterday.  Oh well.... at least it still was accomplished!  These were our activity and dessert for FHE last night. 

My mom sent out a little rice krispy snack house kit for the girls in the box of Christmas goodies.  It made 3 rice krispy houses with the mix and the girls had a great time decorating them.  The hubby and I even decorated one.... although, we ate almost half with Little man by the time we decorated much..... or took a picture for that matter.  Here they are.  Can you guess who did which?

2

1.

3.

Cheap Toy Finds.....

I went to TJMaxx last week and was scouting for a few things.  Dresses for my girls mostly with skirts/dresses for myself as a strong secondary.  I did find two beautiful dresses for my girls, but instead of a great find for me.... I found these $3 finds.  Here is destruct-o-girl posing with her "My little ponies"

Little Man

My little man is the best little man there is.  Mostly because I am incredibly biased and see him as one of the greatest blessings in my life.  He has a very contagious laugh and one of the cheesiest grins I have ever seen.  There are gaps where teeth still need to come in all over the place.  The poor boy only has half a mouth of teeth.  Despite those obvious flaws, I love him A LOT.  I have been really struggling with how to cut his hair (boys hair is definitely more of a challenge than girls!) - so he has been through some really awkward styles lately.  I think tonight, I have finally achieved a good "stopping point" where I am comfortable with how he looks.   I will have to take a picture in the morning, but.... during his "awkward" phases..... his hair did this alot:

Static hair - just like his sisters!

 

DC Part 1

We came up to D.C. on Christmas Eve for a week away from home and to enjoy the nation's capitol.  That weekend was spent mostly in the hotel hanging out with family.

 My SUPER cute kids in their Christmas jammies.  Each year we get them a pair (as close to matching as possible) to open and wear on Christmas Eve.  This is this year's pick.

 #1 LOVING her gift from Santa - play makeup!!  I do think we have a girlie-girl on our hands. 

 J and his sister and the dog for Christmas dinner.  We are so grateful the hotel allowed pets for a minimal fee.

 The sleeping arrangements.  Each room had a queen bed and full sleeper sofa.  The girls (and dog) got the sleeper sofa.  They insisted on bringing their sleeping bags - thumbs WAY WAY up from mom and dad. 

 Trying out my new camera on the little guy had him blinking up a storm.  I caught him laughing here and having a good time in his pack -n- play (bed).  I love this kid.

Pretty much where my hubby has been planted since we got here.  STINKIN TV!

New Year....... New Me

I am truthfully so excited to start a new year.  I recently watched the mormon messages on the New Year and can definitely say that they are exactly right!  Never look back.  What has happened, has happened, now is the time to move forward.  So I am.  There are some aspects of my life where moving forward will be a bit of a challenge for me, and others where I am just downright excited to move on.  2010 is definitely a year that I would like to forget. The trials that I have had to face this past year are not ones I plan on repeating. I learned a lot and for that I am grateful.  My goal this year is to become a better me.  It is most often said that the Lord works in mysterious ways.  He definitely worked in mysterious ways for me this year - I couldn't have had better outcomes. 

Some of the wonderful things the Lord has helped me with this past year are:  weeding out the negativity and pessimism, helping me find out who my friends are/aren't, more strength in standing up for what is right, to not believe everything I am told, search out the truth, forgiveness, stronger appreciation for the good influences in my life, and re-prioritizing.  I have been chastised, humbled, hurt, lonely, and exhausted.  It is because of those things that I have been teachable.  I am not perfect..... actually, I am quite far from it.  The important thing is that I am trying to do the things that the Lord asks of me and to become a better me.  I am seeking out those who are positive, uplifting influences.  Motherhood is definitely something I have difficulty with, so I am seeking ways that I can improve and better teach and serve my children.  Somehow I feel that I have been caught up in playing the part of a "lemming" during my time in this area when I have been raised to be a "leader".  My parents taught me what is right and wrong, it is time I start leading my life instead of letting it (and the people in it) lead me.  I've lost site of myself over the years and I am determined to get myself back.   Deployments change people.  Unfortunately for me deployments didn't change me for the better.  I got so caught up with how lonely I was that I didn't take the time to make the most of what I had. 

I am so blessed to have the opportunity to start a new year and start a new commitment to myself to become a better person.  My goal is to become someone that not only KNOWS Jesus Christ but is the kind of person that I would want to be friends with.  I am going to be grateful for the talents that I have and learn how to improve from those who are more accomplished than I.  I will CARPE DIEM and have a life full of JOY in 2011!!

Shocked

Today I ventured out to a local mall and struck gold when I hit the Disney store.  They had a little sale going on with their Princess/Prince dolls.  Since my children are in VERY short supply of boy dolls (they have torn the other "ken" dolls apart.... in their defense, they were older "ken" dolls) I decided I would buy each girls' favorite princess and her accompanying prince.  Then I couldn't be 100% sure I got #1's choice correct so I tried calling my hubby.  No luck, the kids were sleeping.  I made my purchase and hoped they would love it.  Ariel and Eric went to  #2 = she loved them!  Belle and Beauty went to #1 = not so grateful.   Off we went BACK to the mall (which was getting even more crowded than earlier in the day).  As we were walking through Macy's to get to the Disney store, my little girl clung to my hand and walked safely with me to our destination.  After we made the exchange and I allowed her to carry her dolls in her bag BY HERSELF, she didn't want to hold my hand for safety anymore.  (Maybe she saw all the other kids walking without holding their parent's hand)  I kept my hand on her coat as we made our way to the escalator to head back out to the parking garage.  She wanted to get on the escalator by herself too!  As we went up - I couldn't help but feel my heart tugging a little.  #1 is growing up SO fast, soon she will be making purchases with her own hard earned money and walking to school by herself.  Not too long after that, she will be driving!   I think I will break down and cry someday about it, but not today.  For now, I will just really try to make all those little moments into memories and to hold onto that little girl as long as I can. 

Oh yeah... for anyone wondering what her favorite Princess and Prince are:  Tiana and Naveen

CHRIST is the reason for the season

I really hope that everyone had the time to reflect on the reason for this wonderful season.  Christ was the perfect gift for all of us and has given us SO much - the LEAST we can do is to remember Him and all He has done for us this time of year especially.  I think it is most appropriate to remember that all year long, but at the very least this Christmas season.  I wish you all  a safe and blessed Christmas day surrounded by those you love and safety for those you love who can't be with you right now.  Our family has a few of those right now.  Some live too far away, others are serving our country in different parts of the world.  We love you all and pray that you are remembering Christ and his many gifts to you. 

Have you thought of what you are going to give CHRIST this new year?

Teacher Gifts

I always struggle to find a practical gift for #1's teachers.  This year I opted to go for ultra-practical and to take a chance on them being a little sentimental too!  I got a mug (dollar store) and took my cricut vinyl that I have had for what seems like forever and cut their names out of it.  Then I stuck each of their names on their mug and filled it with store bought (because of the silly rule with bringing food to school - I figured the teacher's might have the same standard) hot chocolate mixes in several different flavors with a candy cane to mix it with.  Then, I gave them a homemade ornament with #1's name and year on it so they could remember which year they taught her.  Then I printed out the CHRISTMAS card and had #1 sign her name.  It was SO cute to watch her take the bags up to school with her on the last day before CHRISTMAS break.  She is so grown up!