You Wanna See Something Really Cute?

Under Construction

I have heeded the advice of several anonymous commenter(s). I changed my profile so the text is easier to see and read. I am mourning the loss of my cute earthy-sunflower profile. I loved it, I just couldn't figure out how to make the blog column a solid color....so here's to you anonymous commenter(s)....

The Hardest Conquest....

Okay, so here comes my humility, I am back to being plain old me, I have taken off my cape and super-turbo jets.....

I am on a mission to lose weight. A huge amount of weight. I am determined to not count calories, fat grams, and definitely won't be counting carbs. I am NOT going to be paying anyone so that I can stand on a scale and sit through a meeting weekly (not because this is a bad thing, I just can't afford a) gas to get to said meeting b) the $44 dollars a month it would cost and c) a sitter to watch my darlings while I am away). I am going to make sure that I get adequate nutrition as I am feeding my baby and plan to for awhile. My honest to goodness problem is not that I eat huge portions, though I could make them a little smaller, it is that I simply snack all the time...I have eaten like a pregnant person for the last 8 1/2 years or so. I have a head start, I weigh less than what I did when Owen was conceived, but after sitting/laying/lounging about being a baby-growing-bum (as my nurses and husband like to refer to me) at the U.H. for 5 weeks I have NO muscle tone and am still wearing my maternity clothes....my legs tremble when I walk across the shallow end of the pool or if I stand for more than 10 minutes to make dinner. I literally need physical rehab and was warned, but I doubted....now I know my OB wasn't joking me...I pant when I walk up my drive way. I get light-headed if I try to speed walk 8 doors down to my girlfriends house to visit. I am not complaining just laying out my current condition. I would put myself in this condition willingly a million times over to have my healthy boy--I am extremely grateful. I am just saying that I have a ways to go to get my body healthy, so I am around to protect this precious boy from the wrath of all things pink and frilly a.k.a his sisters.
My plan is to lose 10 lbs a month for 1 year, that's 2 1/2 lbs. a week. Not too much, too quickly. I will be closer to my 'ideal size/weight' I am going to exercise, starting slowly. My biggest goal is to walk my kids to school at least 4 mornings a week, that's 2 miles round trip, plus I may try to pick them up doing the same--this will be very good for them as well. I will also be doing some strength training, I am thinking Pilate's at home for awhile until I have my stamina back up a bit (with a friend or two I hope).

Please pray for me, this will be one of the hardest things I've ever done. I think this will be up there with incision re-opening, being away from home for 5 weeks, have a baby in the NICU, missing my little girls events and carpools and not having my husband by my side.....We are all well and whole and I am going to be clinging to the grace that is hovering over me.
Again, PLEASE PRAY for me.

Peace for now...

My Baby Girl has Just Turned 8!!!

It's a Nancy Drew Mystery Party

I think this may have been the one of the most clever things I've thought up in quite awhile! Emma turned 8 yesterday and she wanted a Nancy Drew Party. I couldn't find that in character party-ware anywhere...so, not wanting my girl dissappointed on her big day...I strapped on my thinking cap and went to work. This my friends is what a sleep deprived, crazy (about my kids) mom of four can come up with...I will work on my humility tomorrow...

The invitation was the first clue with the time and place....clue for what, you ask...The mystery was to find Emma's birthday cake and ice cream. It lead us to our Papa Gary and Nana Sara through the 'woods' across the street, through the backyards...Papa Gary wasn't to blame but we got our disguise glasses and a new clue that lead us to one of the party-participants house up the block, this time her little brothers were the guilty culprits. Then to the girls first grade teachers house, she loves sweets but she didn't steal Emma's cake. There were more clues and other stops. We were successful in breaking the case, Molly Grace was guilty as charged, she only took the cake to decorate it and to honor Emma on her day! It was hidden in the microwave and was waiting for us when we got home. Boy was I exhausted and boy all those girls were soooo NOT! It was so much fun and will not soon be forgotten.

To complete our party experience, we made headbands (Nancy Drew always wore headbands), watched the movie and ate pizza and ice cream. Everyone had a blast or so it seemed. Emma had no idea about all the clues, so this was really a big undertaking. I had so much fun, I am seriously considering copyrighting my idea and selling it to other moms. Like I said, I will work on humility tomorrow and/or read this when I am having one of those "I-am-good-for-nothin" days.

Special thanks to my great and wonderful friend Amy, she really saved the day! I had just under two hours left and no cake made and she pilfered through her pantry and gave us a cake mix and frosting...it really would've been a mystery, had she not offered. And all our special friends who we consider close family for helping me pull this off. Especially for Nana Sara who partied with the best of us and stayed around til the bitter end, you are a wonderful grandmother to my kids! In the words of my kids "YOU ROCK!!!" or as one might say "YOU WOCK!!!"

I love you, Emma and I so appreciate that you keep me on my toes and force blood flow to my brain! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to have fun! I couldn't be more blessed than to have been given you as our first-born! You're stylish and witty, plus,your beautiful and crafty...we need to work on those manners some more. You are just and pure! You want everyone to be treated kindly and you set the bar high with your example. You were so brave even though it was soo hard for you while mommy was in the hospital for those five long weeks. You are a fighter--you are a warrior for life and giving that chance to the helpless. You are so snuggly and cuddly. You are the best, most wonderful 8 year old I know. Your my princess, part of my legacy and if I were gone tomorrow, know that I would be so proud of who you are and what you stand for! You have amazing gifts and I know that you have every intention in using them for the glory of God. I love you, Emmabug....

Mommy