More pictures

Here we are as we are going out for our anniversary. I thought it could serve as our update picture. The shirt really doesn't do me justice in that it is so baggy. I didn't have much to choose from in my closet. I am kinda in between my old size and the size that I have some clothes in the basement for. I don't have the moolah nor do I want to spend much on clothes to fit me now as I am hoping not to be this size for much longer :) We checked our measurements last night for the first time since starting. It was encouraging. I have lost 1.5 inches from each of my upper arms (that means the most as that is my trouble spot and the part of me that makes me the most insecure). Then I lost 3 inches from my hips, 2.5 from my chest, and I think 3 from my stomach. Allen lost 3 inches from his stomach too! Yahoo....it is working.

My two handsome men. I am so glad that Allen is the great father that he is! I don't know how I would do it without him. I am glad Joseph favors him. I only hope that he gets his dad's kind, giving spirit and godly man temperament. I also sure wouldn't mind if he got his incredible brain and gentlemanliness too (not sure if that is a word though).

Karen and Emily the night she watched the three lunatics for us!

Our Anniversary

Do you see what watching my kids for one night will do for you??? This is my wonderful friend, Karen. She came over on Friday to watch our kids for our anniversary dinner. We had a super time. I was trying to put more pictures on here, but the computer is acting up. I will have to add more later!

Then this is just such a cute picture of my Emily. She is 16 1/2 months old. Such cute blue eyes :) Now those have got to be from me ;P

Survey says........

A winner!!! No I mean I am a loser, but in a good way..or is it weigh? oooh I am getting corny like my husband :) I am down another 2 pounds this week. My grand total is 27 pounds. Allen lost too. He is down 42 pounds!!! What a man :)

Girls Night

My wonderful husband watched the kids for me this afternoon so that I could have some time with the girls. We went over to Karen's house to make Clarence's invites for his retirement party. They turned out so cute. We made them with Stampin' Up stuff. Jeni is our guru. We also got to have Roxane and Belinda join us for the first time. It was a lot of fun. We did hate for Tammy to miss the fun :( Next time girly!!!!

Women Drivers

I forgot to post this last weekend. While driving to Sparta I spotted this motorized Jeep on the side of the road for sale. The guy gave it to me for $20. I was so excited. Clarence has wanted to find a used ones for the kids for a year now. Well, I wasn't nearly excited when I found out the replacement batteries cost me $50!! Oh well :) They really are having a super time with this. Hmm, I have no idea how my writing turned blue and got underlined.

This is right after Hannah ran into the tree. She doesn't know how to use the reverse, so she just got out and pushed :)

Our Yard

I don't know if I have shown my backyard to you guys. It is hilariously small. I was having a really hard time being content with it last summer for my kids' sake. Well, last summer my father in law dug up the flowers and grass next to the garage and filled it all in with sand. My girls think it is awesome. It was nice during the heat of the summer too because it was mostly shaded. Then right before Joseph we bought a swingset. I wasn't sure if a swingset would even fit in our little yard. Praise God it did. That thing has been such a blessing. I don't have to feel bad that I can't load up three lunatics and take them to the park. Now we have a park in our backyard. When I make dinner I can let the girls loose back there because I can see them from the kitchen window and it is fenced in. It is awesome to have them get some fresh air and to get out from under my feet as I cook. I hate cooking to begin with so the least amount of outside irritation is much appreciated :)





The other cool part is that the only thing we have had to pay for back there is the swingset. My father in law got all the sand for free. We got the little slide for free from Allen's cousin, and the picnic table was given to us from Allen's parents. Praise God for generous people and His provision.

Ps. The edge of the fence is lined with wild flowers which are no longer blooming. Before the 100 degree weeks they were doing so well. It was really pretty and maintenance free :P

Playing Catch Up

Here are some pictures throughout the week. I have had a terrible time trying to catch up on my blogging coming home from vacation. Yikes, there has been so much to do. In fact, last Wednesday I almost had a meltdown because I was going in circles and getting nothing done. Thankfully I prayed and complained to the Lord that I just can't do it. Just a couple of hours later my friend Karen called and said she got out early from seminars and asked if I needed an extra pair of hands. Praise God for good friends!!!! I love you Karen. Thank you for listening to the Lords prompting and call me and offer me your assistance. It was priceless as are you!

Here is Joseph playing on the floor. He rarely gets a chance to play because his sisters are usually mauling him. This is just a couple minutes before he rolled over for the first time

Here is my favorite little man playing outside. Well, maybe like hanging outside :)

My best big girl, Hannah, playing on the swing in our backyard.

Joseph was named after Allen's paternal grandpa (and my paternal gpa's middle name). He passed away quite a while ago, but we wanted Joseph to always know whom he was named after. He was a very good man who never had an enemy. He loved his family and did everything in his power to put his family first...well, after his Lord that is.

Happy Anniversary, Love!!!

I am sorry, girls, but the most wonderful man, husband, best friend, lover, counselor and daddy is all mine!!!! Today is our 5th anniversary. I just want you to know, Allen, how much I love you and appreciate you. I brag about you all the time :) I know I am blessed beyond measure to have all that I have in you. To this day I can't believe I was the one you chose! I am infinitely grateful you finally did :) Lots of love and kisses to you my handsome prince.

Our life this week!

My handsome little man. He is such a delight.

We got the girls fingerprinted at a safety clinic at the Y.

My adorable, yet crazy crew!

Emily getting fingerprinted. They also did dental prints. It was really cool. You can never be too safe unfortunately

Joseph's 4 month old picture. I can't believe how big he is getting. In fact he had a milestone yesterday. He rolled over from front to back for the first time. I think this is quite a bit earlier than the girls. Perhaps it is his defense mechanisms kicking in. :)

Hannah's story of the day is this. Yesterday Michelle, Allen's sister, had her baby. So Allen and Hannah were discussing babies and how they come out of their mom's tummy. Then Allen told Hannah that a long, long time ago he was in MawMaw's tummy. She looked at him in shock and said, "You have got to be kidding me!" I laughed so hard. It is like talking to a seven year old.

Emily's story is this. The girls love having tea parties. Well, I walked into the bathroom to find Emily having a pee party. She was dipping her tea pot into the toilet. Oh no, it gets worse, Hannah had gone potty and didn't flush the toilet. Yeah, never a dull moment!

Back on Track

Phew. I am happy to report that I am back on track and down to my lowest in quite a few years. Five at least to be more specific. I am at a total of 25 pounds gone. Allen is at 40 pounds gone.

Have I said recently how incredibly proud of him I am and how much I love him. I am so blessed to be able to be married to him. I can't believe it is only 5 years we have been married on Friday. (I mean that in a good way). I feel as if we have known eachother forever. Then I look at how far we have come in just five years......Allen has gotten his PLS licenses in two states, I had to go back for a full other year of schooling, I got my teaching licenses in WI and IL, we have three kids, and have bought our first house. Whoowee....tires me out just thinking about all of it. No wonder I am sleep depraved :) I sure wouldn't change the last five years for the world...ok maybe the going back to school part, but it was a means to an end!

Another side note on the diet thing....I really need your prayers for food to lose its stronghold on my life. I think about it often and hate to be derived of it. I have been feeling so rebellious the last week!

My Grandma's 80th Birthday Party!!

On Saturday we had a surprise 80th birthday for my Grandma (my dad's mom). We had it out at my Uncle Robin's farm. I think she was surprised, and I know she had a good time! Everyone seemed to have a good time, especially the kids. They loved playing with each other and running, running running!

Here is the birthday girl right after we suprised her. She looks like she could be the Queen Mum waving to her adoring fans :)

This is my grandma and her kids. My Aunt Tina is missing though. They are from left to right..Robin, Mike, Peter, Pat, Mark, DD, Kay, Maryanne, Eddie, Lisa and Aggie in front.

This is Grandma and her grandchildren and great grandchildren...there are even some great great grandchildren in there. I won't even attempt to name them all. Plus there are about 40-50 that couldn't make it to the party. Wow, what a family. I love having such a big family :)

Grandma's party con't

My Uncle Mark (the youngest of the boys) and my dad. We teased them about calling each other to see what the other was wearing. They both had jeans on :)

My Uncle Mike and his son Mikey's daughter Sophia

My Aunt Tina's son, Matt, and his wife Melissa

Me with the birthday girl on her 80th birthday. Happy Birthday, Grandma. You deserve it!

Grandma's party con't

My Aunt Maryanne's son Johnny's youngest two Danielle and Mariah

Grandma getting emotional after getting her cards and emails from England! Thank you guys so much for making that so special for her. I think that was her favorite part. That is my Aunt Aggie with her.

My Aunt Kay's middle son Joey with my Aunt DD's youngest son Jesse.

My Aunt Lisa's middle daughter, Jenny...her daughter Marissa and my Hannah. They were only born 3 weeks apart.

Johnny's youngest, Danielle, holding my cousin Joey's youngest, Addison. Then in the middle is my Aunt Tina's daughter Kelly's daughter Taylor, my brother Chris' daughter Allison and my Aunt Kay's son Jr's youngest Jacob

Are you catching all that??? There is so many of us :)

Grandma's party con't

My Aunt Maryanne, my Aunt Aggie, and her twin daughter Lisa

My hilarious Aunt Kay

My Aunt Kay's middle son Joey's daughter Breanna and my son Joseph

My Aunt Lisa (the baby of the family) and my Uncle Robin

The campfire l-r is Grandma, Uncle Robin, his wife Kathy, and my Aunt Maryanne's oldest, Desi

Aunt Annie and Hannah's party

My sister in law Dana and Joseph

Aunt Annie, Mom, Allison, and Hannah

The birthday girls blowing out their candles

Joseph bought Aunt Annie super auntie underwear. Too funny :)

Miss Hannah turns 3

I don't even know who took this picture with my camera, but I just love it! I want to get it blown up and framed. Patty, isn't this quite the artistic picture?

Hannah riding the pony at Bay Beach on her birthday. She wasn't scared in the least which was a huge surprise since the horse she sat on last summer nearly bucked her off.

Building sandcastles at the beach of Pine Lake.

Her Thomas birthday cake. My cake decorating skills leave quite a bit to be desired, but she liked it so that is all that matters :)

Hannah I am so excited at the beautiful, thoughtful, intelligent and wondeful little girl you are growing to be. I can't believe you are now 3 years old. You are so very mature for your age. You are a joy to be around, and I am proud to be your mommy!

:(

I gained weight this last week. I am up 2 pounds. I don't know exactly how accurate that is because I haven't been taking my lasix medicine when I was supposed to and have actually forgotten to take it a couple of times. So, I have a bit of water weight. In fact, my rings that were starting to slide all over can't barely budge right now.

I am sick of this journey already. I don't want to do this any more. I want to just eat whatever I want whenever I want! Yeah, I know...poor me. I think it is harder right now because we are done with vacation and that is disappointing, I am tired from vacation, and I gained weight. Danna, did this happen to you on your weight loss adventure? Anyone else have stories of the same?

Labor Day Weekend/Hannah's Cabin birthday

Here are my parents' grandkids up in the loft at the cabin. They are so dear and just love each other. From left to right it is Gavin, Hannah, Dakota, Emily and Allison....Joseph wasn't allowed to climb all the way up there :)

They are the cutest of little buddies! My kids are so lucky to have such great big cousins. They look out for them, teach them good things and play play play with them.

This is my Uncle Mark and my dad. Can you tell they are brothers???

Here is my dad on the boat. Isn't he cute??

Emily just loved the beach. She didn't care much for the water at first. They Dana and I heard a splash. Emily had jumped off the boat and into the water. Thankfully it was really shallow :)