Slimmer and Trimmer

Two weeks ago, I weighed myself and I clocked in at 147.8. I know that's not huge in our society but for me it's too much. It's the most I've ever weighed (except when pregnant) and it's not cute. So, I decided to start doing something about it.

I began exercising more regularly. The fact that I was going every now and then was doing nothing but wasting my time. I also increased my water intake and cut out some sweets.

On Monday, August 22nd, I weighed 145.2.

Today, I weigh 144.2.

I'm loving the downward trend and must keep this up. My goal is between 130-135 and a trimmer waistline. My workout partner and I will be meeting twice a week. I will work out alone twice a week and rest Friday - Sunday unless we're doing something fun as a family.

By the end of the year (but hopefully sooner), I will be at my goal weight with a much flatter belly.

Can't stop...

Won't stop...

I'm Back!!!

Today was Danae's first day of school outside our home. She was excited! Dwayne and I were a little anxious. We were sending our daughter out to be cared for, and protected by, other people. But, we are confident that God will protect her and we know we chose a good school for her. She looked too cute in her uniform!

She was the 2nd kid to arrive in her class and I could tell she was a little nervous. I'm sure by the time her friends arrived she was just fine though. Brayden was so excited until we were getting ready to leave. He didn't want to leave his big sister there. Dani didn't care but was sad to leave the playground.

Home school started today as well. I love teaching my kids and Brayden is a dream. He catches on really fast and did well today. He enjoyed the science and math lessons but got bored with the reading and writing. portions. Danica worked on the letter A, her colors, and cutting. She loved the cutting! Oh, and she also enjoyed using the magnifying glass.

I am so extremely sleepy since I woke up at 5 am. Tomorrow I won't have to wake quite as early but this school thing is seriously messing up my morning slumber.

It's bittersweet watching my babies grow up. I'm happy they're smart and energetic and all that. But, I know that this is just the beginning of my journey of letting go. Before I know it, she'll be in high school and driving and then off to college. How have moms done this all these years?!?

Kid Stuff

Dwayne bought the game Punch Out for our Wii. One of the characters is named Piston Honda. Danae said his name sounds like when daddy says "Brayden just pissed on himself". Get it? Piston = Pissed on. It was one of those funny moments that you can't necessarily laugh about in front on them. Can't encourage that behavior.

Anyway, school is back in session and that holds true for school at our house. Brayden's handwriting is greatly improving. Danae is spelling new words every day and is finally getting the concept of phonics. She had the hardest time understanding how to sound out words. She would simply memorize how they looked and were spelled. Obviously, we still have hard words and lazy days but it's getting better. They're both doing well with addition too. I'm so proud of my kids. Can you tell?

Danica is doing what she's supposed to I guess. She sits up, rolls around, and babbles constantly. The older two love seeing her progress and get excited every time she utters a new sound. It's rather cute watching them with her, until they get too rough of course.

Okay, gotta go. They just finished their handwriting assignment. Just wanted to post something since I said I'm back now.

I'm back

I know it's been a very long time since I've written on this here blog. I've had a million things to write about but just haven't had the time or energy to collect my thoughts and post something. Now, my life is settled again so I'm back.

The summer has been great. We've traveled quite a bit. We've spent time with family and friends. We've done some other cool things in our fair city.

Now, school is back in session. Homeschool, that is. The kids are growing and enjoying life. I'm going to try to post something daily but we'll see how that goes.

Until later,

My take on MJ...

Since I was a child, I have always been fascinated by people's worship and admiration for Michael Jackson. Back in the 1980's, he used to rent out the Civic Center in Pensacola to practice and prepare for his upcoming tours. People would camp out nearby just to get a Michael Jackson sighting. Just to see his limo going by. Just for him to wave at them. All this, for a man who wouldn't even do a concert in Pensacola because we didn't have a large enough venue for him. Anywhere he went across the world, hordes of people would faint or become hysterical just because of his presence. Now, don't get me wrong. I had his pictures hanging on the walls in my room. I owned the red leather jacket with 5000 zippers everywhere. I had the white socks and penny loafers too. Shoot, I even had a MJ purse with his picture on the side. (I could probably make a pretty penny if I still had them.)

He was, and still is, a god to a lot of people. The true American idol. Even in the more recent years when he was but a caricature of his former self and hadn't put out new music, people still would sit in awe of him.

Yes, he was a talented man. Yes, he seemed to be a philanthropist. Yes, he had a troubled life. But, he was still a man. A man who was destined to crumble under the pressure that comes with knowing that millions of people expect greatness. A man who searched for perfection so much that he marred his previously beautiful face.

So, what's the point of this rant? Glad you asked. Seeing the world's fascination with his life and now his death and seeing the reports of the server crashing because of people trying to get tickets to his funeral makes me contemplative. What if we were as interested in seeing Jesus? What if we loved Him so much that we knew all of His word like we know MJ's songs? What if we took such an interest in His death and resurrection that we wanted to make sure everyone knew when it happened and what it means for us today? Writing this made me think about the hymn that says "Turn your eyes upon Jesus...so the things of this world will grow faintly dim." Satan uses any and every thing to turn us away from what should be our true focus. While we mourn the death of the greatest entertainer, while we learn lessons from his life, while we grieve for his family and kids, let even this bring us closer to Jesus and more ready for life eternal.

I'm busy y'all...

I've been meaning to post something lately but just don't have the time. Let's see what I've been up to, if I can even remember. I have a horrible memory lately.

Our 12 year old niece is here for a large part of the summer. That is...interesting. And it confirms my decision to not have more children. I am not ready for my children to hit that adolescence stage. My kids and their cousin have been arguing, fussing, fighting like crazy. Then they have a few moments of kindness and get along. Talk about annoying. Still, we're glad she's here and hope she has a good time out here.

Jaelyn had a successful heart surgery. We are so extremely happy about that. We have been praying and asking so many other people to pray for her. God is good!

Our other niece was born on Monday. Can't wait to see little Denise.

I totally missed my friend Red's birthday. I reminded myself until the day of and then forgot to call her. Sorry girl! I still love you!

I'm basically a single mom during the week right now because Dwayne has a huge audit coming up at work. As soon as I can, I'm taking a me day and enjoying it to the fullest.

Danae is now taking ballet, tap, and gymnastics class. So cute! I'll have to upload pictures when I get a minute. Brayden is in gymnastics class and he absolutely loves it.

Oh, and I'm almost 32. Where has the time gone?

Baby Body

I don't embarrass easily nor am I very self-conscious. But, I am really bothered by my body since Danica has been born...specifically, my stomach area. I know that I have birthed 3 babies. Because I didn't spread or gain weight anywhere else, my stomach was stretched to its limit. But, now, post baby it is NOT CUTE. I look like I'm still 5 months pregnant!

So, I have been working on it for a few weeks now. I know it hasn't been long at all but I am seeing no results yet. I'm still working though. I was hoping to comfortable enough for a bathing suit this summer but that may have to wait a year. Ugh!

I still can't wear quite a bit of my pre-pregnancy clothes. But I refuse to buy more. Why? Because I WILL get back into them. I have been fortunate most of my life to not really have to worry much about weight gain. So, this is bothering me big time.

I will track my progress and if I ever get a post-baby body where people don't say "you look good to have 3 kids" but instead just say "you look good" I will be so very happy.

With a daughter like mine, you have to have a very good self-esteem. She has asked me a few times if I'm pregnant with a baby brother. She's laughed at my stomach. I can't wait until she's in the same predicament in 20+ years because payback is a mutha.