Finally!

It has taken seemingly forever – seriously, since Luke’s birthday party which was January 16th, I’ve been at the same weight – or near to it… until FINALLY TODAY!!!!

As of this morning I’ve lost 21 pounds! I’m only 4 pounds away from my original goal of losing 25 pounds. I’ve since decided to go down at least 30 pounds. If it takes 2 months to lose another 2 pounds I’m gonna need all the time I can get to get down that much before our cruise!!

I know that part of the problem is that I’m not getting to the gym daily like I had been. The kids have been sick, I’ve been sick, life has been going on, and I haven’t gotten their every day like I had been. I really hope to get back to that just as soon as Avery gets over this cold/croup thing she’s got!!!!

I’ve also made a few other adjustments in my daily eating. I read in a Biggest Looser cookbook that I just got, that if you are below 150 pounds you should be eating around 1000 calories a day. I was eating way more than that, since I was more than 150 when I started. So I’ve adjusted some of my eating… and that has helped.

I’m really trying to get in the right amount of fruits and veggies in a day – since that seems to help me feel full! As well as up my protein intake – this one is a bit harder, as carbs and breads and chips are so much yummier to eat than proteins!

In keeping with this even more adjusted eating schedule – I’ll be making something new for dinner tonight! Fish tacos!! David’s being a real sport about the whole thing! He’s not a big fish eater – although we’ve started having salmon once a week, since he likes that. But with some encouragement from some already healthy family members, he’s said he’s willing to try them… so tonight something new in the Winslow household! I love to mix it up every now and then. In order to make that happen – the kids and I will head to the Fresh Market today to get the fish!



For those of you reading who are also on the “weigh down”, keep up the good work – and keep at it even when it seems like it’s taking FOREVER!!!!

In the words of my wise friend Nan – “skinny is as skinny does!”

Grounded?

What keeps you tethered to Earth? What keeps you grounded? I’m not talking gravity here… I wanna know what keeps you sane?

Life gets nuts sometimes, doesn’t it? I was in Wal-Mart today and overheard some guy on his cell phone saying something like “yeah, that’s really stressful.”

This was even more ironic because they are remodeling our Wal-Mart and stuff is NOT where it’s supposed to be and I was already kinda stressed out about that! They literally have isles of canned goods and cookies and juice and whatever else out in the middle of the store. Sorry, I digress… (Also, before moving on… I had Avery with me since she’s got croup and didn’t go to school today! So that added to the “stress” of grocery shopping.)

Anyway – that man on the phone got me thinking, isn’t everyone stressed about something most of the time? If you think about it – which I know I’m guilty of often only thinking about myself – other people’s lives are just as hard as, and sometimes harder, than my own. I mean really, I’ve got it pretty good.

Yes, it stinks that sometimes the kids get sick and no one gets enough sleep. Yes, I think it’s hard when I don’t get the time to myself that I think I want or when I have to pick up the same toys over and over again, or when the kids don’t obey, or when I’m totally sick of doing laundry and feel like I might go nuts! But when I step back from that and really look at what I have in my life – I’ve got it really, really good! And I’m very thankful for all that I have!

But even though my life is great (and it really is great!!!), some days just aren’t as good as others and I need a little something to help keep me grounded. Sometimes it’s as simple as a cup of flavored coffee (a little comfort!), or a funny YouTube video (a good laugh!), or the reminder of a promise of God’s faithfulness that I see on an index card I wrote! Other times it takes a bit more - like a hug from my Man! Or a call to a friend or on the really hard days a good cry and a nice warm shower!

So I wanna know is what is it that gets you through those hard days? And when I say hard, it can be as simple as waking up on the wrong side of the bed that morning and not having a good day or for some the bad days come with much more serious stresses… sickness, money troubles, job issues… whatever it may be… I am asking you to share the thing that helps you make it through the day with your sanity!

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3

Thanks for sharing!

Weirdness

The older I get the weirder I become! Some of you may say – “What? You’ve always been weird!” Yes, I know I have, but I’m saying… this is a new level of weirdness! And I’m getting ready to admit to the whole blog world my deepest weirdness!

I enjoy doing my families weekly dinner menu and grocery shopping list!

There you have it! I said it! It’s weird I know.

Who wants to sit and plan a week’s worth of dinners and then do the shopping list, let alone LIKES to do it! Well, I other than me, I don’t know! But I do like to do it.

Maybe it’s the feeling of accomplishing something. It’s a task I can look at, do and finish without too much stress and I like that!

I also like looking for new things to feed my family. Well, David mostly, the kids aren’t big eaters of the newer healthier foods that we’re eating, such as salmon, and grilled chicken salads! Honestly, David’s not a huge fan of some of the foods we’re eating, but he’s a good sport about it anyway – and some of the stuff he’s actually liked. Now, there have been a few things – honestly – just weren’t good, but overall most of the “new” things I’m making are pretty good!

So today, when I should be at church, but am not due to poor Avery’s yucky, I’m going to finish this week’s menu and do the grocery list. I might even get the grocery shopping done today too. Maybe Avery and I will do it after she sees the doc this afternoon?!

Either way, I’ll feel like I’ve accomplished something and I just love that feeling. So why is it that if I love to make the lists and even do the shopping, that sometimes (not all the time, cause I do love to cook) do I not feel like making the food that I’ve spent so much time preparing for?

Just a Hint

The weather this weekend – for us - is supposed to be beautiful and sunny! And more importantly, more seasonable than it has been the last couple of months! On Sunday it’s actually supposed to be near 60! I’m so excited about this lovely weekend weather!

I love spring and summer time! I love the water – the pool, the ocean, the lake – it doesn’t matter what kind of water or where it is, as long as it’s warm enough to be in it, I love it. And apparently I’ve passed that love on to Luke. He talks often of riding the Jet Ski at the lake or going to the pool! Last night at dinner he asked how long it would be until it was warm weather time again. When David told him it would be about 100 more days – you would have thought David had told him that summer was never coming! I guess to a 5 year old, 100 days seems like a long time!

Sometimes it seems that way to me as well! I always anticipate the fun of summer! The joy of not having to go anywhere first thing in the morning! The fun of planning play dates with friends! The smell of sunscreen and packing a cooler full of peanut butter and jelly’s to take to the pool with us! The anticipation of a really neat opportunity to spend some time at the lake (this has become our family’s favorite yearly vacation!) just being together and enjoying the water and do whatever we want to do!!!! Oh, I’m with Luke, “Aaaawwww!!! 100 days is forever and summer will never come!” But I know it will – and even now, I’m really excited about spring and summer weather.

I’ve also learned that just as the next few months will fly by, so will summer, and before you know it – I’ll be complaining about the kids fighting and too much time together and the need for some routine in our lives! And this fall we start kindergarten, so that’ll be a totally new experience and a big transition in our lives! I’m gonna make the most of this summer for sure!

I say all that to say – I hope this weekend we can get some quality time outside together! A trip to the park – maybe a picnic lunch there even! Maybe a fun walk in the neighborhood or just some bike riding in the driveway! Whatever we do, I’m gonna be thankful for the warmer temps and the beautiful sunshine! This is one of the reasons I love the South! Bring on the hints of spring!

Spring Consingment Sales

The following list has been provided by ConsignmentMommies.com You can check out the site for more information!


Thanks so much!

Feb 26-28
Fellowship Day School @ Fellowship Presbyterian Church

KidShare at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds

Children's Boutique Resale - Winston-Salem

Messiah Moravian Preschool


Mar 4-6
Christ United Methodist Church - Greensboro

St. Paul's Catholic Church Sale

Starmount Presbyterian Church

Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church

Just For Kids Consignment Sale

Summerfield United Methodist Church

Friendly Ave Baptist Church

First Presbyterian Church - Greensboro

Fountain of Life Church Consignment Sale

Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church

Lewisville United Methodist Church

Cornerstone Christian Church - MOPS


Mar 11-13
Trinity Church of Greensboro

Guilford College UMC Children's & Maternity Consignment Sale

Christ Community Church Consignment Sale

Greensboro Mothers of Multiples Spring/Summer Children's Consignment Sale

Covenant Church UMC

Main Street United Methodist Church

Kernersville Wesleyan Preschool Academy

First Christian Academy & Preschool

Grace Presbyterian Church - Kernersville

Shady Grove Wesleyan Church

Glennview Baptist Church

Pleasant Union Children's Consignment Sale

Fairview Moravian Church

St. Pauls Preschool Clothing Exchange - Winston-Salem

New Philadelphia Moravian

Clemmons West Children's Clothing and Toy Sale


March 18-20
Kid2Kid Burlington

Ardmore United Methodist Church Preschool

Parkway Presbyterian Church - Twin City Mothers of Multiples

Weeruns - Winston Salem

Bethlehem Angels Preschool



March 25-27
Hillsdale United Methodist Church


April 16-18
Muirs Chapel United Methodist Church

West Market Street UMC & Early Childhood Center Home & Closet Sale

Northwest Baptist Church




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ConsignmentMommies.com is a new social network and directory that offers tools & advice about seasonal consignment sales. ConsignmentMommies.com is the “baby” of mother-daughter team Chrissy Freeman and Shari Kilgariff. And it is growing. Fast. During the peak of the 2009 season, the site received thousands of pageviews each day with listings in just two markets. As the spring season approaches, the site is receiving an average of 20-30 new sale listings each day.

Awesome

I've been doing the newest Beth Moore Bible study - it's on Revelation, and it's AWESOME! Some people might be a bit intimidated by this often mispronounced, last book in the Bible - and it can seem a bit scary or "too much", but with the help of a gifted teacher and the help of the Holy Spirit it's proven to be very exciting!

I've copied and pasted from http://www.biblegateway.com/ Revelation chapter 4. We spent our time last week at Bible study going through this chapter, and I've had a hard time getting it outta my head since. Which is a good thing! But I've put it here for you to read - to see for yourself why I've not been able to stop thinking about it! It's really amazing.

We or more specifically, I, tend to put God in this small little box. Taking to Him some things in my life that I need help with, and sometimes holding on to other because I think He might not care enough, or really be able to do anything about that particular issue. After reading this - I have a renewed understanding of how tiny I am and how my brain cannot possibly ever "get" God, and so the things I'm not giving Him - those things are my problem and show a great lack of faith in Him. I must say - my faith has been deepened by spending much time thinking about the Throne Room of God.



Revelation 4 (NIV)

The Throne in Heaven

1After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."

If you enjoyed this - you can also read a similar account in Ezekiel 1. That passage is really awesome as well!

So much fun!

I love Valentine’s Day! I am a romantic at heart. I love romantic candle light dinners, romantic walks on the beach at sunset, hearts and romantic county songs about true love. I love the colors of Valentine’s Day – red, pink, purple – all great colors! I love love!!

But here’s the problem I seem to be running into. I love Valentine’s Day and my cousin – you can check her out here at Crocuses in March – also loves the holiday and has done some really cute creative things to decorate her home. I’ve done nothing, mostly because I’m afraid. I’m afraid of Hurricane Avery! I know that seems silly, but we did have a disaster back at Christmas with some of the “sit around” decorations, and I am not confidant that she would leave any Valentines decorations that I might put out alone. She too loves all things pink and purple! So this year – I didn’t decorate, but next year – I think I might try!

On the up side, I was able to be part of both kids preschool Valentine’s Day parties, and that was lots of fun! I love to see them in their little classes with their little friends! It’s such fun!

And now to reveal my very favorite part of Valentine’s Day (and I know this will not come as a surprise to most of you!) – DATE NIGHT!!!!!!!! Yup, that’s right!!! Oh boy! An evening out – at a very nice restaurant (and it’s really great cause the restaurant we’re going to we have gift cards we can use!) with the man I love! Ooohhh fun, fun, fun!!

Plus, I got a new outfit! I did this mostly because I have very few cloths that actually fit me. Most of them are too big! I know that’s a wonderful problem to have, and I’m so glad about it. But we’re going to Fleming’s Steakhouse and I cannot go in “just anything”, so I went to Kohl’s (I had to make 2 trips actually) and got a new pants and top outfit – on sale!!! – to wear to dinner tonight! I am so excited! I love new cloths of course, who doesn’t, but here’s the neatest thing (even if they were mislabeled, that’s OK) is that the pants I got are a size 4!!!!!!! Thank you kettle bells, Pilate’s and kickboxing for helping me to get a size 4 pair of pants.

This of course begs the question, will I be able to sit in the after eating a steak dinner?!?!? Who knows, but at the time of purchase, I didn’t much care about that!

Today I also get my hair done; I’m very excited about that as well. My gray needs covering badly!!! I’m really looking forward to a wonderful, fun time with my hubby tonight to celebrate the love God has blessed us with! And if I do say so myself, I think I’ll be lookin’ pretty good!!!

A Good Book

I love kid’s books! I have for many years. Since I’m not in the classroom anymore, I am a bit behind in the newest releases of excellent kid’s books, but our personal collection is pretty large, and includes such titles as Where the Wild Things Are, The Seven Silly Eaters, Caps For Sale, The Polar Express, Oh The Places You Will Go, The Napping House, A Bad Case of Strips and Stone Soup - just to name a few!


From the time Luke was small he loved to be read to. He’d sit for what seemed like forever just listening to books. Avery on the other hand wanted nothing to do with listening to a book – mostly because it involved sitting still for more than 3 seconds, but here recently she’s really come around and really enjoys being read to.

In true developmental style she likes to read and reread the same books over and over and over again. Great for her, gets kinda old for those of us doing the reading. One of the books she has been enjoying recently is a book by Madonna.

Yup, Madonna – as in the “Material Girl”!

Did you know she had a book out? Several of them actually – 5 altogether (you can find them at amazon.com).

Anyway, our book of choice is called Mr. Peabody’s Apples. The book is a full length story. Not just a board book, or one of those books with just a few words on each page – nope, it’s a full length book – with some great pictures – and it tells a wonderful story about spreading lies and how they hurt others (and you thought it might be about apples, didn’t you?!!?!). I’m not going to tell the whole story – but if you are looking for a good story to add to your child’s collection – I would highly recommend this one.

If Avery can sit through the whole book – it’s sure to be a winner in your house too!

Grocery Store Envy

Normally I shop at Wal Mart. It’s cheaper and back when I stopped teaching to stay home, that was one of the things we decided to do to save money. It took a while to get used to the new grocery store, but it’s been 5 years and I’m comfortable there now.

I know it’s kinda weird, but it’s nice to go into a store, know where stuff is, get it and get out. But I’m starting to have a bit of grocery store envy. Is that a real thing? I don’t know, but I’ve got it for sure!

Let me explain, with our “new eating lifestyle” WalMart doesn’t always have the things I need. They don’t really carry a wide range of “specialty” items. Now, I’m not looking for totally off the wall stuff, but for the last couple of weeks, I’ve had on the menu to make this tomato and fennel sauté thing. It’s been carried from one week to the next on the menu cause Wal Mart doesn’t carry fennel and I have a hard time making it to 2 different grocery stores. But there have been a couple of things like that that I just cannot get there.

It was a treat to go grocery shopping and the reason it was a treat was because we received some Harris Teeter gift cards for Christmas from one of David’s clients! And let me just tell you – that right there – that’s a nice grocery store! It was like I had just walked into the biggest shoe store you could imagine! I was so excited!

They have a wide range of fresh fruits and veggies (some are organic and ever thing!) and some from local growers - COOL! The next section at this wonderful Harris Teeter was the fresh bread section. Golly, the smell alone was enough to make me forget the rest of my list!!! And of course the fresh fish and meats section was wonderful, lots of yummy choices! And the choices of low fat pre made items was amazing! You see, Wal Mart doesn’t have any of these things! Yes, they have a produce section, but it’s not always great, and there are things I cannot get.

But before I boar you to death by walking you through each aisle at this magnificent grocery store – let’s just leave it with this last thought – I really enjoyed using our gift cards at Harris Teeter! And in all my excitement – I stuck pretty well to my list and the total was only $8.00 over the amount of the gift cards! I think Harris Teeter gift cards are my new favorite gift!

I love a good party!

So with my sisters wedding shower on the horizon - I've had showers on the brain. I love a good party! I have been able over the last 2 years to be part of several wonderful baby showers. I know that's different than a wedding shower, but these were fun, and something I was proud to be part of putting on. If you've seen these pictures before - please excuse the repeat!

The following pictures are from a baby shower for Dana (she had a boy):

Diaper Cake (done by Shannon)

Party Favors

Welcome Table


Food Table


These pictures are from a baby shower for Robyn who had twins (a boy and a girl)!

The Cakes

2 Diaper cakes!

Robyn checking out the pretty table!

So pretty! (if I do say so myself!)

These last pictures are from Crystal's shower. I didn't get as many pictures from her baby shower as I would have liked - but it was still lovely! She also had a boy!

Half the food on the food table!

This was the cake. Yummy - but the baby's name is spelled wrong!

Revelation

I want you all to know that I’m trying desperately – to be happy about our NC weather! I will say no more on this topic – except to say – I wish our cruise to the Mexican Riviera was today!

Moving on.

My Bible study group started a new Bible study about 3 weeks ago. We’re doing the newest Beth Moore study. It’s on Revelation. And it’s been awesome!!!! We had our 3rd session last night and let me tell you my brain hurt when we were done from all the information she gave us in the video session. But it was awesome and I think I’m going to learn so much more than I already have!

The book of Revelation can be a bit intimidating and scary for some. But so far (and in true Beth Moore style – we’re only 3 chapters in!) I love it, and it’s not been as complicated (yet) as I thought. It’s caused me to really use my brain, but it’s nothing I just cannot understand (like most mathematical concepts!) and that right there is part of the whole beauty of the Word. If you want to understand – then God will show you, He’ll reveal himself. And right now He’s showing me the simple coolness of the Word. I’m seeing how the OT and the NT all come together and how so many times over and over again God’s Word says the same thing in different ways – and I believe – just so we’re all sure to “get it.”

I was raised in a godly home, and was exposed to many, many parts of the Bible- and for that I’m so grateful! But I’ve never really been “a learner” – until a few years ago. Recently I’ve spent a lot more time in the actual Word - learning and reading and studying. Now, I’m not calming to be some great scholar or anything, but I feel like I know more about the Bible now than I ever have. In recent months I’ve read more books of the Bible (just read them right through) than I have ever before in my life and it’s so neat to be familiar with a passage in, say Ezekiel, when it’s referenced in Revelation. To me that’s exciting and I’m just loving it!


Hopefully as we go, I’ll be able to do more updating on what I’m learning. Right now it’s a bit much for me to be able to put in words that are understandable enough for a post! I would however encourage you to pick up a Bible and just read. Start in the book of John in the New Testament or Proverbs in the Old Testament and see what God has for you in His Word!

Dating

Dating – at my age that’s a scary topic! I haven’t done it in nearly 10 years – and for that I’m SO THANKFUL! And on the kid side, I have several years before I have to start worrying about them dating!

But I’m talking about the kind of dating that married people do. Married couples date? Yes, and if they don’t they should. Especially if they have kids! Life gets so busy with work, kids, school, home stuff, and just life in general – that taking the time to be together as a couple is so very important!

I love these times with my Man! We do pretty well getting a date or two in a month. Sometimes it’s more – sometimes it’s less, it just depends on scheduling, but we do get out alone together (sometimes we go with friends – which is great too!) and I cherish those times.

This is on my mind a lot today because we’re supposed to go out this weekend – which is sorta “up in the air” due to the forecast of ice for our area – so I’m really praying that if the Lord would see fit to give us some time alone together, without our precious little ones, that the weather wouldn’t be too bad and we could still go.

Why is this time so special you ask? There are several reasons:

1) It’s nice to have a conversation with someone who is older than 5!

2) It’s nice to have a WHOLE conversation without some sort of interruption that involves yelling, crying, whining, screaming or just an endless string of questions!

3) I love to talk with David about our future together.

(This next one is really important)

4) One day it’ll just be he and I again (I’m assuming that one day our kids will be grown and on their own?!?!)… It’s important that we maintain our relationship.

5) I enjoy being with David (that’s one of the many reasons I married him!).

6) Our kids don’t eat sushi!

7) It’s nice to talk about things that are different from just the “normal, everyday stuff.” Like what we would do if we ever won a million dollars!

8) Its fun to “get dressed” to go out.

9) It’s really great to not have to cook and clean up after!!

10) He makes me feel special, and I love him for that!



There ya go – just a few reasons (did I mention that I don’t ever have to tell David to sit down and eat, or wipe up a mess he made, or clean up a drink he spilled?!?!) why I hope the weather isn’t bad on Saturday night so our babysitter can come and we can go out. I’m looking forward to it!

Caution - it's a bit whiny

I am a person who likes some structure in life. I like to act like I’m all spontaneous and fun and that kinda thing (which I do like to think I am fun), but really I’m most happy when I have a nice schedule to follow each day. We’ve been outta the schedule this week due to the massive amounts of snow we got (ok, massive might be being a bit sarcastic, but you would think we got about 3 feet!).

I miss preschool – which granted is only 3 days a week for Luke and 2 for Avery and only 3 hours each day, but you cannot imagine what a difference that makes for me as a mommy. Just having a few hours to myself allows me to be a better mom. Also, I usually go to the gym every day, also something I haven’t been able to do since the gym is on the same schedule with the county schools, which have been CLOSED!! I may need to find a gym that doesn’t close with the county schools, hu?!?! So it’s been a bit frustrating to be out of my routine for this long! Maybe it’s a control issue, ya think???

It was fun at first – you know all of us here at the house together getting in quality family time. Playing games, watching Cars and eating popcorn, playing in the snow, cleaning the house (bathrooms, moping and dusting!), doing ALL the laundry, watching TV, but now – I’m ready for some of our normal schedule back! Back to preschool, back to the gym (it’s hard to maintain good habits when you cannot continue those habits!), back to the kids getting some energy out some other way besides chasing each other around the house and that ending in huge fits of tears cause – guess what - someone got hurt!!!!

Overall it hasn’t been bad, I’ve enjoyed being with the kids (most of the time), and I’ve gotten the house really clean!! It’s just that when you are told you CANNOT do something, it just makes you wanna do it more. For example:

No, you cannot have cake – it’ll make you fat! What do you want – cake, cake, cake - it’s all you can think about!!! How you crave cake, even if you don’t normally eat cake – there is nothing more in the world you want than a nice big piece of yummy chocolate cake with chocolate icing!!!

It’s the same with the roads here in the wonderful South!

Nope, you cannot drive cause the roads are bad (yes, I know it’s been 5 days, but you’re in Colfax NC and they don’t know how to clear snow here), it’s not safe and you have to stay inside. What do you want to do – GO OUT!! Not because I need anything, just because I cannot I really want to! It’s a weird psychological thing.

Here’s the really great part (ok more sarcasm there) - at least for me, since winter isn’t my favorite season - we’re supposed to get more snow this weekend!!! Oh Joy!

NO – NO MORE SNOW!!!!!!!!




Luckily the roads should clear up the rest of the way today (it is after all supposed to be in the 50’s today), so we’ll have today, tomorrow and some of the day Friday before we get more snow and are stuck inside for another 5 days!!

The really upsetting part is David and I are supposed to go out on a date (for yummy sushi) with David’s cousin and his wife on Saturday night. Oh how I want to go!!!! I don’t want the snow to spoil our night out! But since I have no control over that, I’ll just be hopeful and know that no matter what it’ll all be OK (we can reschedule the date night, right?!?!?) cause Spring cannot be that far off, can it???

** Just to be clear - the pictures are not from NC! They are from our trip to Alaska several years ago! They are of a glacier - really beautiful for sure, but really glad to not live in Alaska!

From there to here

Back in November I joined a gym. First time in years I've worked out with any kind of regularity. I wasn't too happy about going and working out, but it had to be done (and I do actually like going now!). The goal - to get off this extra weight I'd been putting on since college and kids - and I had until September of 2010 to do it. Why September you ask? My 10 year anniversary is in September and we're going on a cruise! I wanted to be skinny for our trip. You know get new great cloths and look a lot younger than my 30 something years!

So to reach that goal David and I both started counting calories. It sounds kinda hard and like it might be a pain in the butt - and sometimes it is, but ya know what?!?! As of today - Februray 2nd - I've lost 19 pounds (I seem to be stuck here at 19 – I would really like to hit that 20 mark SOON!)!! But, I'm pretty proud of myself! I've got about 10 - 15 more to go I think. My original goal was to lose 25 pounds and since I'm almost there and pretty happy with myself I think I'll go for 10 to 15 more, see where that gets me! I’ll just see as I go and when I’m happy where I am, I’ll stop!

I'm also looking forward to a big shopping trip in about a month or two!!!

Here are a few pictures just to show you where I’ve been and almost where I am now!

December 2007 (avery was about 2 1/2 weeks old)

January 2008

May 2008

May 2009

And this year at Christmas 2009

Down about 14 lbs. here, so I've only lost 5 more since this picture.

So if you are thinking about getting off those extra pounds, or starting at a gym, but think you cannot - wrong - you can, cause if I can, anyone can!

January 2010 Snow

For those of you who do not live in the South - all these snow pictures might not be a big deal! But down here - we just normally don't get this much snow. It's a big deal!

The kids are OF COURSE out of school today - and I just know in my heart there will be no school tomorrow either and it's kinda wait and see about Wednesday - and IF there is school on Wednesday - they'll go on a 2 hour delay!

I don't really like the snow. I mean, it's OK - it's pretty and all and it has some really great qualities. Like it's good for the ground water and all that! and it's nice cause it lets our family be home all together with no other scheduling issues, but in this area it also means you just don't go anywhere for like - EVER!!! Which with 2 young children gets a bit old after a while!

Anyway - we had fun playing in the snow and sleeding with our friend across the street yesterday. Here are a few pictures! Enjoy - our second winter wonderland of the season!