Whooo Hooo!

I am so grateful to report that I had a loss of 2 pounds last week! Relief. I didn't have much hope after going to two all you can eat places. This brings me to my lowest so far and a total of 37 pounds lost. Allen also lost 2 pounds. He has now lost 71 pounds! Keep praying for us. This month has almost been as hard as our first one.

Saturday con't

He was so exhausted he fell asleep halfway through his bottle. If you've ever seen this kid eat, you would know that he MUST have been tired. In fact, this morning he finished his bottle before I even finished changing his diaper! This picture was taken facing his baby mirror as I was in the front seat and he is still facing backwards :)

We finally broke down....actually it was Allen's bright idea. The kids got a pet for their other tax treat. It is a purple beta. The kids are just so thrilled! I try to prepare them for the thing not to last very long. Every morning we run to the aquarium and say, "Is he dead yet?" :) Nope, not yet!

Hannah and her new fish she named Wally. She was so cute. She couldn't bear to put that things down while we finished our shopping in Walmart. She guarded it with her life ;)

Can you tell how pleased she is? She has already asked for another one. NOOO!

Just an unposed update picture, I guess. Don't mind the toy filled mess around us. Notice Wally can't even be left alone when getting her hair done :)

Saturday

Here are my three cuties! I couldn't believe it. It only took 4-5 pictures to get one I could use. We are getting better :)

Are they adorable or what? I am so grateful for good kids that I don't mind taking out in public.

Just hanging out on an engine with the temperature near freezing :)

Me and the kiddies in front of an airplane just like the one my grandpa (dad's dad) flew in on D-day. He was in the 101st Airborne Division! Very cool.

Allen is such a sweetheart and such a great family guy. He took us to the transportation museum on Saturday. We were there to buy the girls a new train video. That is one of their treats from tax return money (we use the money to give everyone a treat and then pay off bills :P).They actually like documentary style train videos! I can't sit through it but they want to watch it over and over. There you can tell they have their dad's genes. The girls had a super time. We didn't pay to go through the museum, but we could see enough to satisfy them from the parking lot.

Our Week in Pictures!

Emily and Joseph are quickly becoming buddies. It was so cute, earlier this week he actually started to play with her. He was wrestling with her. Too funny! I hope he can appreciate his sisters even a fraction of how much they do him. I am so grateful there has never been any jealous animosity. We have prayed that way! A side note: Joseph is almost as big as Emily. In fact, I think his head is already bigger!

Squeaky clean and so very huggable. Hannah just can't get enough of her little brother. Thankfully, as in this picture, he normally doesn't even mind :)

Isn't he maturing? He looks like such a little boy to me. I am excited and sad all at the same time. Boy those are such kissable cheeks. I am hoping he is going to shoot up again soon. He is getting quite chubby :)

He has been crawling for three weeks now. He is just LOVING it. He will go off and play in another room all by himself. I think he may relish the quiet. Not to mention, he is then able to play without hugs and girls stealing his toys. He just started pulling up on things. I had a feeling this was coming. This is how I found him yesterday morning. Notice he is not only standing, but leaning over. Yikes!!! Looks like Allen's project #1 for the weekend is to lower the crib!!!

Ahhh yes! Here are my partners in crime. They are already starting to gang up on us. The door to the bathroom is usually closed, but somehow they got in. It is probably that Emily can now open doors but is keeping that to herself for a while :) They pulled the basket out, chewed on books, ripped up toilet paper, and even knocked down the shower curtain. It could have been a lot worse. As you can see, the toilet seat was up but no one was inspired. I also had just taken out the garbage....foiled again!

Before and During Pictures

Here I am the end of May 2006
Then here I am last night. It isn't the most complimentary picture either. Oh well. Hopefully you can see a difference. I can't see much in these pictures. I am down 35 pounds.

This is Allen on Father's Day 2006
Here is my handsome love 70 pounds lighter!

When You're Frightened at Church Part 2

Ok, my devotional for yesterday's main verse was Ex 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet." Then today's is Col 3:12-13 "Put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another."

Soooo.....how do I reconcile those verses with my almost primal desire to protect my children?

Update: I talked to one of my pastors and this is the gameplan.

1. If he comes again, they will contact him and discuss the "conditions" with him of attending
2. When he walks in the door at any time, Pastor will be notified and will then escort him around
3. He is limited to the foyer and auditorium except if he wants to be in a SS class
4. He would be in Pastor's SS class anyway, so he would have to notify pastor if he is coming. Pastor would then greet him at the welcome center and then escort him to and from class.

What do you guys think?

Quote of the Day

Today Hannah was building with her big lego blocks in the dining room. Emily repeatedly knocked them down. She was getting so frustrated. Then Joseph joined in. She was outnumbered. He knocked it down again. Hannah thumped him in the forehead and exclaimed, "YOU are a hillbilly." I just died laughing. He just looked at her like.."so?" That girl kills me!

Weigh In

Grrr...well, I gained a pound this week. I am not sure if it is because of my period or because I have been exercising almost everyday and lifting weights. It is frustrating nevertheless!!!!

Allen lost four pounds. Way to go, Babe. He had to carry our team this week. We pulled ahead of Chris and Dana :) Come on, guys! You can do it!!!!

When You're Frightened at Church

I really need to know what you guys think &/or would do. I was walking down the hall after my Sunday School class heading to the auditorium for the worship service. All of a sudden my blood began to boil. I walked passed the 20 year old currently being charged with indecent proposition of a minor and child porn among other things. He was arrested in December, so he hasn't had his trial yet. He went to our church when we first started going here, but then switched to the Baptist church in the town down the road. That is where this stuff happened...and it was with church teens! Actually there were rumors of molestation at church camp. Now isn't that a parent's worst nightmare? Where are our kids safe???? I feel like never letting them out of my sight.

I immediately went to the nursery leader and notified her. She thankfully notified all the teachers and locked doors. I then went to our pastor who is the head of education and notified him. He talked to the teachers and stood guard in the hallway. I wanted to get my kids and run home. I couldn't see that pedophile in the service so I was a bit unsettled where he might be lurking.

I really didn't like having a KNOWN offender so close, especially when my kids were out of my sight!

I know we are supposed to love him and that more than anything he needs the Lord to turn him and his desires around....BUT! Not to mention he was doing this crap when his screen name was godrocks and was trying to train to be a youth leader!!!! Frightening.

What would you guys do? What are some of your thoughts?

Youth Group

Jenny and Danna. You don't get away that easy. I also found some youth group pictures ;)

Notice I picked one without me in it? Matt is the one in the middle on the fireplace. Danna is next to him, Jenny is next to her, and Kelley is next to her in plaid. Fun times!

Room 321

Ok, when I ride the exercise bike I get really bored unless football is on. So I was bored on my morning ride and grabbed an old photo album. I laughed and laughed. I had to share with you some of the treasures I found. In college Liesl, Sherry and I roomed together for the '94-'95 school year. Poor Anne....or was it poor us because of Anne? "Shut UP Anne!"

Artist Series time. Here we are decked out for the Boys Choir. I HATED artist series! The concert was actually good. However not only did I have to go on a date with Sherry (no offense, just had hoped it had been the guy I liked). Then I had to sit behind said guy and his date! Grrrr. Now do you guys see why I say I can't wear pink???? Eeek!

Ahhh, room bonding. Nothing bonds a bunch of girls like a room leader mandated group facial. Is anyone else a bit frighened? Liesl, I didn't know you played soccer. Your stance is perfect :)

Sherry, all I can say is WHY???? Why did we do things like this? I am glad you were the one in front :) Whose humongous shirt was that anyway?

Pay Off

I have been working my butt off the last couple of days. I have finally gotten motivated to add more exercise to my weight loss efforts. I am grateful that though it has not felt good always....it is hurt so good :) I am grateful to say I lost 3 pounds this week! Wooohooo, I am now at my lowest in years. I have to tell you my exercise success. I could only do the elliptical trainer for 2 minutes last week. It is soooo hard! Well, last night I was able to do it for 12 minutes straight. I was thrilled. Pretty good progress for just one week. It helped to have some competition. Allen put me to shame earlier in the week as he did it for 10 minutes when I could only do it for 2 minutes. So my goal was so catch up. Allen didn't lose any this week, but he is exercising a lot more this last week too. Must be all that muscle :) Man, he is cute!

Date Night

My wonderful in-laws came over Friday afternoon to watch my kids while Allen and I went on our first date night in....hmmm perhaps a year. I picked him up from work right at four. No working late when you have a date :) We went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Yum! I love that place. It is a belated birthday dinner for me. I had filet mignon, baked potato and steamed veggies....now come on! That was a good choice.

Then we found out as we were leaving that the boy missing from St Louis was found. Not only that but they found a boy who has been missing around here for four years in the same apartment. Unbelievable!!!!!!! It was such a miracle.

Then Allen took me to Walmart as I promised Hannah if she gave her Dora slippers to her sister that were too small I would pick up some more for her. Then we got a coffee at Starbucks. Mmmmm one of my very favorite things to do.

That is when it all started to go downhill. It was my turn to pick a movie. I wanted to see The Pursuit of Happyness. It looked like a feel-good success. Well, it was two hours of gutt wrenching struggle for this guy and his son. They didn't even give you a chance to enjoy to eventually success that they had at the very end. They just wrote a blurb on the screen of the success he had after the point they ended the movie. Ugh, I was disappointed and so sad....it was such an emotional movie. It doesn't help that I am PMSing.

Then the weather was getting bad. It was starting to freezing rain. Well, as we were on our way home we saw an accident. Now this is right after I told Allen to be careful because I had a bad feeling and that I would be so mad if he killed us. Well, we pass the accident that just happened and a man is just hanging out of his car. I panicked. Allen turned around and as soon as we got close I jumped out into the freezing rain and ran toward the two cars involved. So, here is the picture: It is freezing rain, I am in heels (mule heels by the way), phone in hand talking with 911 and running like a psycotic wanna-be heroin. My emotions were just crazy. By the time the rescue people got there (which was just a minute because it was right across the street) and we drove away, I was a mess...inside and out. I just wanted to get home, kiss my kids and get into bed!

Oh well, at least I can say that will probably be one of our most memorable date nights!

Not a Fluke!

Well, I was wondering if his pulling up on the stairs was a bit of a fluke. Nope. Today while we were in the bathroom (that is where we spend most of our day seeing we have two preschoolers one potty trained and the other almost :p) he started to kneel by the bathtub. I was surprised at how gracefully he did it for his size....he is a big guy over 20 pounds already. I put him on the carpet because he was slipping backwards. He pulled up immediately and STOOD!!! I couldn't believe it. For some of you this is no big feat as your kids walked early....my girls didn't walk until the day after their first birthdays (isn't that weird that they both did it when they were exactly the same age? 366 days old?). I made him try it again just to be sure. Yahoo. He did it again. Kids are just so much fun. Way to go, Buddy Boy! Mom is very proud of you.

Happy birthday, Buddy!

Joseph is now 8 months old. I really can't believe how fast time is flying! He is officially mobile. He began crawling on all ours consistantly exactly one week ago. He is still a month ahead of the girls :) He is getting vampire teeth. Not the top middle but the ones on the side. Too funny. Only the right has popped through. Then today he pulled himself on the first stair as you can see from the next picture. Looks like we need to get the gate out again!

"No, really. I am completely innocent!"

Another Day

I saw their cute little legs dangling in their cowboy boots as they were eating their lunch. I couldn't resist taking a picture of it. It didn't capture the littleness of their legs and feet which was the main part of the cuteness factor. Oh well.

I am so grateful that they love each other and that they have each other. I always wanted to have a sister.

The Fire is Gone!

No...not in my marriage, but in my weight loss endeavors. I am tired of it! I am sick of being on this plateau for two months. It feels like these two months have just been a waste of precious time. I have been so hungry this week. I am waining in the will power department. Whine....whine....whine I know. Just wanted to vent and see if you guys had any words of wisdom.

Here we Go!!!

Dummm duhmmm dummmm, I lost two pounds this week. Now before you go congratulating me that is only 2 of the 4 holiday pounds I gained. GRRRR!!!!! I feel like I have been hungry this whole week :( Allen did awesome. He lost 8 pounds. That is 8/9 holiday pounds he gained.

Chris and Dana are doing awesome. They lost a combined total of 13 pounds! Wow, we have a lot of work to do. They pulled into the lead by 3 pounds. We are so proud of you guys :) Keep up the good work....but not that good! We want to win the date night and $100 ;P

Goals

I have revised some of my goals for this year.

1. I will read my Bible 5 times a week
2. I will schedule a date night with the love of my life every other month
3. I will drink 32oz of water before I am allowed to drink any soda
4. I will do one load of laundry a day from start to finish (wash, dry, fold AND put away)
5. I will exercise 2 times a week
6. I will have school time with my kids 3 times a week.

I have been working on all of them already this week :P How about all of you? It is so hard to change my habits especially when I am tired and lazy!

A Day in the Life

Today we didn't do much except some laundry (yeah, hard to believe....still more laundry. It adds up quickly when Miss Emily poohs in her panties twice in a morning!). Hannah rode her bike, Emily pushed her new shopping cart with her baby in it and I pushed Joseph to the postoffice to get some fresh air and to mail my mom's new puppy a package.

Do you ever feel thankful for one of those "normal" days of being a mom. I am today. I remember when I was single watching moms walk down the street with their kids and really desiring that life. Praise God I get to be a stay-at-home mom! I really do love it.

Blessings!

Do you have one of THOSE friends? One that you can rely on whenever you need her. One that just happens to ask, "Can I do something for you" so you don't even have to grovel for help? I have a friend like that. Her name is Karen. She called me on Friday and asked if she could help me. Most times I have a terrible time accepting people's help (one reason is because I feel they don't really mean it, but I never feel that with Karen). She came over bright and early Saturday morning and helped us for 5 hours taking down Christmas things, putting the regular things back and even cleaning! It was SUCH a blessing. She was a complete and utter workhorse! We really couldn't have done it without her. We love you, Karen, and are so grateful for you.

As it was, we didn't end up getting down until 10:30pm. We cleaned the basement as well as the usual. Allen was such a super help! I am so grateful for him. I know he didn't WANT to work so much and for so long....but I am so grateful he did. I was getting so overwhelmed with all that had to get done.

200th post!

Well, I pick a perfect time to air my dirty laundry. Actually it is all clean. I had to take this picture and show you how far behind I was. That pile is two baskets deep! Now ask me how long it took me to fold it. I know it was at least 2.5 hours! The term chore has new meaning tonight.

Aunt Annie: Here is a picture of the girls in the outfits you bought them. They looked so cute that I of course had to take a picture :) Maybe Tokyo is my hometown! Thank you for them.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all!!!! I can't believe it is 2007 already. I still remember all the panic about Y2K :)

Do any of you suffer from the first of the year blues. It is a bit of a let down to have Christmas over, especially for me because that means I have to leave my family again. But it seems more than that to me. Maybe it is coming home with two garbage bags full of laundry (even though my mom did tons of our laundry when we were there....thanks!) Maybe it is the mess left by Christmas. I don't really feel like taking everything down, not to mention trying to find spots in my tiny house for all my kids' new cool toys and such. I have a hard time parting with the old stuff :)

Maybe it is just all the work. I have the clean up, the laundry, the normal household stuff, my kids are in social withdrawl, and I also have to work on getting back on track with my eating. Maybe it is because I watched the last Packer game of the year. In fact it may very well have been Brett Favres very last game. Sunday afternoons have nothing good to watch....I don't get much into NASCAR although I like Jeff Gordon (I put that in just for you Tammy!).

What about you guys? Am I nuts?

What are some of your prayer requests? Here are some of mine.

1. Spiritual growth for all of us. Hannah to get saved. She getting a better and better understanding and I want her to accept Christ early in her little life.

2. Allen's job: They are working him to death. He likes his profession but they are severely understaffed. Pray that they will give him a good raise as well.

3. Pray for my addiction to food.

4. Wisdom about having one more baby. I first have to lose 30 more pounds....that's tough! I also have to check with my cardiologist in Feb to see what he thinks. Then we need to see if that is what God wants for our family before we proceed. I want to make sure we can afford it. Allen's deductibles went up to $2000 a person and 4,000 a family. YIKES!!!! My desire is to have another one. In fact, we have even picked out the names. Yeah I know anal :) We would like Katelyn Makayla or Noah Henry. I am not positive about the Henry. I usually don't like those kind of names, but it is my Dad's middle name and it seems to go with Noah. We have to pick one with an H because all the boys in the family have H and the girls have middle names beginning with M :)

Last Weekend

We went outside to make lots of noise when it hit midnight. It cracked me up...when we finally came inside Hannah said, "Mommy, what WERE we doing?" It was so funny!

Hannah bought me some lipstick for my birthday. We all tried some on :)

Gavin, Allison, Gavin and me. They all picked out a special pair of earrings for me. It is a tradition that my brother buys me a pair of earrings for my birthday. Then he and Dana bought me this beautiful locket.

He actually got this thing to work a bit. Are those toes not begging to be tickled???

Last Weekend

My wonderful husband before he took me on my birthday date!

We like to watch the ball drop on New Years. We watch a rerun of it though because we celebrate when it is midnight central time :)

Happy New Year! We had a really nice time with everyone. It was actually a relaxing night. I got a huge birthday present. I was able to watch the final Packers game. It may have even been Brett Favres last game ever. That makes me so sad :( It was awesome. They played well and beat the BEARS at Soldier Field. Too much fun!!!

Last Weekend

On Saturday we let the guys go to Cabelas. It is something similar to Bass Pro Shop. They just opened one there in WI about 2-3 months ago. I love this picture of my men. Allen had a good time. He deserves it. I didn't even complain about how long we were in there :) He is always so patient with me.

That night we had a game night. We played tripoly or something like that and pokeno. It was nice to just sit for a while. That is until you see the next picture. Who did THAT???? I will give you a hint the person was wearing red.

Sunday we had my birthday. Allen took me on a date in the early afternoon. We went shopping and then down to our favorite spot by Lake Michigan. It was so pretty. I even got a couple of smooches :) I didn't want cake for my birthday so we had a sundae bar. Yum it was good.

Here is my Uncle Mark and cousin Amanda playing with the girls. It was nice to see them! Don't you think he looks like my dad?

Big Girl

I have to brag on my Miss Emily for just a moment. On Dec 23rd she decided that she no longer wanted to pee in her diaper. She wanted to go on the potty. We had never really pushed the issue as she is only 19 months old. Well, she is pretty much potty trained all by herself. She has a couple of accidents here and there, but she is amazing. I am so proud of her. She even is doing well at night! We are looking forward to only having one in diapers again :)