Monday, January 31, 2011

I "Might Have" Monday

I might have spent all weekend taking care of my sick (sick as in "ill" not sick as in "gross") family. I might have been sick too, but when you're the Mom, you don't really get the opportunity to just be sick because you're too busy taking care of everyone else [insert pouty face and self pity here]. And then, as I discovered this morning, when everyone else is feeling well enough to "do their thing" (go to school  and work) you're left at home - still not feeling well because you had no time to get better. Jeff (bless his heart) looked at me as he was walking out the door and said, "Get some rest today, babe." Apparently he forgot that there's no opportunity for this so called "rest" when you have a three year old in the house (well, unless you have a wife taking care of said three year old). 

Today (despite what the previous paragraph might imply) instead of laying around feeling sorry for myself, I'm choosing to lay around and be thankful. Thankful that I have a family to take care of when they're sick. I'm thankful that I have a mighty God who pays attention to the details of my life and listens to my complaints heart. And let's be honest, I'm pretty thankful to have a three year old who will watch cartoons for two hours straight while I curl up on the couch under my heating blanket trying to get some "rest."

Happy Monday, everyone!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Fit Friday (but mostly other stuff)

I don't even feel like writing a "Fit Friday" post today, but it's not because I did terrible this week (because I didn't - holla!), it's because I look at my blog and I haven't really written anything lately.

{...and this is where I start giving you all the excuses as to why I've been such a slacker...}

We've been sick. Yuck. Carter had a trip to the doctor and got on breathing treatments for his cough that was causing wheezing in his lungs and he's still fighting it - and sharing it. Jack had a slight fever this morning and I can just tell he's really starting to feel under the weather. Natalie's got the cough going on as well, but she's not wheezing like Carter, so she hasn't needed her inhaler (yet?). Since our kids don't have school on Fridays and since they're needing some rest and by "they" I mean "I", we've spent the morning watching movies. So far we've watched (and it's 10:30am - but don't judge) "Chicken Little" and "Madagascar 2." "Horton Hears A Who" is next followed by "Up." Yes, it's that kind of day.

On a completely different note, Jeff and I got to go on a date last night! (This is the part when you ignore the previous paragraph where I said my kids are sick so that we don't look like horrible parents going on a date and leaving our kids with a sitter when they didn't feel well.) It's been a while since we've been able to go out, but we got to have dinner (that I didn't cook!) and then to a movie (that wasn't a cartoon!). We had a great time... only we watched a really intense movie. When I say intense, I mean so intense that we didn't talk all the way home, we just sat silently lost in thought. Intense as in, we had to watch something "light" on tv when we got home (The Office) so that we could de-stress after the movie. But guys? It was such a good movie! And... this is it.

Okay, since it is technically Friday, I'll write on my loss (yay!) this week.

Down another pound and a half. Drank water like crazy, but left lots of room for improvement in the working out department...you know, to keep me humble and all. (See how I made it look like it wasn't an epic fail?)

Here's to another week!

+15.5

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Kid Quote

From February 16, 2010:

Natalie: "Mom, when you die, can I have all of your cookbooks? They look brand new!"

Monday, January 24, 2011

I "might have" Monday

I might have stayed in my pajamas all.day.long. on Saturday.

I might have told my sons that all little boys get their hair cut in the kitchen and all little girls get their hair cut at salons yesterday when they asked why they had to have hair cut and Natalie didn't.

When I got a phone call from a friend saying she was stopping by the house in about 5 minutes to say hello, I might have started my frantic cleaning frenzy by vacuuming the crumbs off the tablecloth with a vacuum attachment. Don't judge me, I said I might have I didn't say I did!

And just because it's been a while since I posted a picture, here is a shot of our three kids plus Micah (our sweet niece) with the snuggies they got from their Grandma and Papa for Christmas. You're welcome.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Fit Friday (real quick since I forgot yesterday)

Lost 2 1/2 pounds this week. (Yay!) Much better than last week! I only worked out twice though, so my goal will be (at least!) three times this week. It's a slow start, but it's a start, yes?

+17

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The one where I ate humble pie.

Jeff has been known to lovingly point out the fact that I can tune out the voices of my children like no one else. They can be standing next to me while I'm reading a book and be saying, "Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?" and it isn't until I hear (usually Carter) say, "It's okay Mom, I'll just be patient and wait" that I actually zone back in and can hear (will pay attention?) to his voice.

Today I learned my lesson but don't tell Jeff.

Jackson and I were in Target and I was intently studying an educational book review People Magazine while Jack was sitting quietly playing in the cart. He started talking quietly and I was reading as I zoned him out (and yes, I am embarrassed to admit that I zone out the voice of my children - I'm working on it). He got a little louder and then a little louder than that saying, "What is THIS, Mommy!? What is THIS?!?!"

I eventually pulled my eyes away from the all-important topic I was reading about (Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds' dating status) and finally got what I've been deserving for quite some time now... Everyone within sight (which felt like everyone in the whole store) was staring at Jack while he was standing in our cart waving a tampon he found in my purse around in the air repeating, "What is THIS, Mommy?! What is THIS?! "

Needless to say, I will be paying more attention from here on out. I don't know what's worse, though, being mortified by my young son shouting while waving around a tampon in public or having to admit that my husband was right...once again.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Kid Quote!

(December 15, 2009)

Natalie: "Mom, when I went to play this game with Jack, he already knew how to play!"

Me: "Yeah, I play it with him sometimes while you guys are at school."

Natalie: "That's amazing! He's actually learning something from you!"

Monday, January 17, 2011

I "Might Have" Monday

I might have felt a little bad last night after my three year old threw up twice then fell asleep in my arms and all I could think about was how happy I was that he's finally old enough to aim.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Fit Friday

Okay. I'll be the first to admit (because, really, who else is there?) that this week wasn't exactly the Sha-Bam! week I had in mind as far as weight loss goes. Actually it wasn't at all.

I really struggled (but hello!, that's what got me here in the first place) and things are not as easy as I remember them being when I tackled the weight loss stuff in the past. I am not, however, blaming it on the fact that I am now thirty and everything just seems slower (metabolism, energy, thought process, etc.). I just don't have the drive that I used to have I guess, and something (really! SOMETHING!) has GOT to give. I just need to work harder at eating the right sized portions and only when I'm hungry. Not because I'm bored, or excited, or because it's there. I need to view food as fuel for my body - not as an emotional outlet for every single emotion I have.

All that being said, I lost a half pound this week. I didn't gain (which has been the pattern the last 3 months), so that's good. Turning the boat around (ugh, bad analogy) to start heading in the right direction is the first step, right?

I've seen that a lot of people have been starting weight loss stuff on their blogs and I'm excited to see how they're doing and use it as encouragement.

Here's to week 2!

+19.5

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Spelling It Out

The kids hop off the bus and come running to get in the car. They are full of excitement as they climb in and start buckling up. While they are bursting with energy and non-stop jabbering about their day, I smile and say, "So, it was a good day then?"

Natalie says, "Yes. Well, except when the bus driver told Carter that he was a Potty Mouth and the words he was using belonged in the toilet."

Completely confused, I said, "Huh? Carter, what on earth did you say on the bus?"

Carter immediately shrunk down in his seat. He covered his face with a book from his backpack and tears started falling down his cheeks. "I didn't say anything. I mean, I don't want to talk about it. Please don't tell Daddy!"

"What did you say?!"

"I don't want to say it out loud. I really, really don't... I guess I'll just spell it... S. H. I. T..."

"Where on earth did you hear THAT word? And why, oh why, did you say it on the bus loud enough for the bus driver to hear?!"

"I didn't mean to! I mean, I meant to, but I was just so frustrated because the other boys wouldn't let me see the toy they had. They are in third grade and they weren't listening to me! They were just tossing it back and forth and yelling and they wouldn't listen - so I had to, I just HAD to say something to get their attention, Mommy!"

"Well, I'll bet that got their attention, huh? That word is offensive to people.  It is not allowed on the bus, at school, at our house, or anywhere else you ever go. When people are being mean and not listening you have to talk to the adult who is there or just let it go. Sometimes if you just ignore them they'll see they aren't making you mad and they'll just stop. Tomorrow I want you to say you're sorry to the bus driver for using a bad word, okay Buddy?"

Wiping the tears off his cheeks, his eyes meet mine in the rear view mirror and he quietly says, "Okay, I will. And I promise, I will never, ever, say 'shut up' again!"

"Wait. 'Shut up' is the bad word you said?"

"Yes, but I said I'm really sorry."

"Thanks, buddy...and when we get home, we need to work on some spelling."

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Kid Quote

I was chatting with my buddy Renee and I found out this morning that she's starting a new blog dedicated soley to random (cute!) stuff her kids say. I loved the idea - and since I have kids that say pretty random stuff (sometimes cute, sometimes not so cute) and since I've been keeping a journal of my kids' random rantings, I thought I'd totally steal her idea and share them every once in a while for you to enjoy.

February 2009:  The other day we were riding in the car listening to Taylor Swift and that song "Stay Beautiful" came on. Carter goes, "Mommy... you don't need to stay beautiful, you can just be yourself." Uh, thanks?

This kid keeps me on my toes but ohmygoodness, I love him!

Monday, January 10, 2011

I "might have" Monday

This morning I might have felt like one blessed woman when I realized that while I was getting the kids ready for school my husband made our bed, started coffee, started my car, scraped all the ice off the windows, and took care of the dog.

I might have missed him while he was gone the last couple of weeks. A lot.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Because I love my family...

Today is cleaning day because my house looks like a dusty toy store threw up in it so I set out and started doing all the glamorous house-cleaning jobs such as washing bathroom mirrors, cleaning sticky finger prints from all the door frames, and using a vacuum attachment to clean both the cobwebs hanging from the chandeliers and the dust balls under the furniture. Oober sexy, right? Then I got to thinking. Why isn't housework sexy? Housework could be the sexiest job ever... If my husband were doing it.

Anyway, it's not really fun, or rewarding - especially since I will have to do it all over again as soon as I blink. But while I'm making my way through the house, I pick up random things that I find. Things like macaroni noodles that fell off a class project Carter made for me. I found a flosser thingy from the other night when Natalie was lovingly helping Jack get his back teeth that he couldn't reach by himself. I found the super sweet birthday card Jeff got for me last month when I was having a hard time with turning 30 (shhh!) and as I'm looking at all of these things I realized that I am one blessed woman. I might not have the most glamorous job (I don't even get out of my pajamas for it), it might not pay monetarily, and I might not have a day off (or even an hour off for that matter) in weeks - but really, it's the best job I could ask for. I get to be the wife of the best husband I could have ever imagined. I get to be Mommy to three kids who fight like crazy yet help each other cheat to beat me in UNO can be the sweetest little people in the world.

I do have an important job. I am a hero to three little kids (which is actually terrifying) and even doing the "smallest" of household chores is another way I can demonstrate my love to them. When I'm done, I will shower. That's another important way.

Fit Friday (Do all these weekly posts drive you crazy!?)

[You don't have to study the scale - it's not me on it. My toenails are not that pretty. And my number is.. not that number.]

There's this blog I follow that I really enjoy. She does a McFatty Monday post every week to help her stay accountable with her weight loss goals. I love the idea. I'm stealing it. Only, McFatty Monday seems a bit harsh for my sensitive self esteem (even though it's perfectly fitting in my case - or not fitting, as hardly anything does anymore - but I digress) so I'm going to do mine on Fridays and I'm calling it - ready? Fit Friday! I know, I'm just gushing with creativity these days, eh? (Could be worse: Fabulous, Fit, Fun and Funky Friday! - yeah, no.)

I decided to do this because, well, it's just time. I don't remember inviting all these pounds back after working so hard to beat them to death two years ago, but somehow they have made their home yet again on my thighs (and pretty much everywhere else). They.have.to.go. PRONTO.

So, as I mentioned in a previous post, I started Weight Watchers online. I'll admit, I wasn't all that strict with myself over the holidays (read: I didn't do Weight Watchers over the holidays. At all.). So, instead of getting a jump start on my weight loss before the storm hit (holiday season) I just dove into the season of eating and made the waves bigger (okay, not the prettiest analogy, but you get the point).

I would like 20 pounds to be my initial goal. When I get there I will reevaluate and set another goal but for now that seems reasonable. As of today I am +20 on my weight and working to get down to 0. Does that make sense?

If anyone would like to join me I would love it! The hardest part of losing weight - and believe me, I've been losing and gaining long enough to know this - is feeling like you're doing it alone. So, I'm all about encouraging each other! Even if you don't have pounds to lose but just want to get more physically fit, or maintain what you've already lost and just need somewhere to feel accountable without the pressure or judgement, this is the place. It could be fun! (Did you just roll your eyes at me like I did at myself for writing fun in a weight loss post?)

Anyway, here I go. I'm nervous to be all "out there" with it. But maybe it's what I need. So, here goes nothing (or, hopefully, a whole lot of something!).

Starting weight: +20

Thursday, January 6, 2011

I'm BAKING! I bake. I'm a baker.

Not really, but I have been baking more this week than I ever have before (besides birthday cakes and stuff like that - but those are always from a box) and the kids have actually been eating what I've been making! Without cringing (don't laugh).

 This week I made (from scratch!) pizza dough, cheesy biscuits, and banana bread! I'm going to the store today to get more ingredients so I can experiment some more, too! (Are you tired of the exclimation points yet?) I've discovered that when the kids help me make dinner (stir the stuff together, get ingredients out of the cupboard, measure it out, etc.) they feel invested in the dinner we're eating and they eat more of it.

Another thing I tried for the first time ever this week? Pomegranates! They take forever to eat, so they're perfect for snacking on at night while I'm reading watching TV after the kids are in bed and they are perfect when paired with water a Mikes Hard Lemonade.

I know. I'm all kinds of crazy wild this week.

How has your week been so far? Did you do anything crazy-like? Please, dish!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Not So Wordless Wednesday

{I miss this guy. Really, really. Five more days until he's home - according to my the kids' calendar countdown.}

Monday, January 3, 2011

"I might have" Monday

I might have forgot (forgotten?) my camera at Jeff's parent's house, so I haven't posted any pictures from Christmas - or taken any over New Years. Bummer, eh'?

I took the kids to the movies on Thursday. Although Jack usually loves going to the big theater, this time he was having none of it and wanted to make sure I knew he wasn't enjoying himself (after the popcorn was gone). I might have told him that the window in the back of the theater (where the movie streams from) was where the police were sitting watching to make sure all the little kids were obeying their parents during the movie.

Earlier this week when a bag of pasta broke open and spilled on the floor of the grocery store after Carter  dropped it on accident, a lady looked at him and said, "Oh, brother!" in a tone that insinuated he was being a horrible kid (which he was not). My protective "mama bear tone" came out and I might have used one of Jeff's lines when I said, "Seriously? It's only as big a deal as YOU are going to make it!" even though there were a ton of people around and it's really not my personality to say something like that anything. Carter was already feeling bad enough (and really embarrassed) over it (he had tears in his eyes for dropping it before she even said anything) and apparently I'd had enough of old judgey ladies in the grocery store (see here).

I might have been really relying on God's amazing grace this week (obviously). I am so thankful that His mercies are new every morning. I'm also glad that my kids are young and hopefully won't remember much from the last few days - right?