Happy New Year!

No pictures for this post. Again. I'm so slacking on my photographing duties - poor d3 is going to have no idea what he looked like as a child. I may just have to throw some of d1's gazillion pictures away just so the younger two don't feel less-special. After reading some of my other fav blogs in the last few days, I decided to join them in making some of my very own resolutions for 2010. Beware, the list is lengthy but my reasoning is this - if I make MANY goals, I'm sure to hit at least a couple, right? And these are by no means prioritized - that would take more time and I'm doing good to have a few spare minutes to get this up.

* Get current with my scrapbooks - my fav hobby, of which I don't devote near enough time to. I'm sure I'll get their individual books done by the time they each graduate so what's the rush. I just better start snapping some pics or they will just be journals.....

*Increase our monthly savings in couponing - I started off strong and feel like I've kept the momentum up pretty well, even during the crazy busy holiday season. I would say my average savings right now is in the 30% or a tad more but my goal is to get up closer to 50%. It's still exciting to me to walk out of Publix with $40 worth of groceries for $20 (which is not the norm but does happen quite frequently). Have I mentioned how much I <3 Publix? I know, shut up already.

*Memorize one scripture per week - ideally, I would like this to be a family goal and maybe d1 could be a part of this but in any case, this could just be a personal goal. I know that hard times are always ahead and the only sure-fire way to push through is by faith and hope. And to do this leads me to my next resolution of....

*Getting in the WORD - D1 is so much better at this than me. He begins each morning with his quiet time (in our closet, on the floor) and has made it through the Bible entirely and is starting all over. He knows it makes all the difference in how his day goes and that his Walk is so much stronger because of it. I love him. He is such a Godly man and the spirtual leader of our home and I am so thankful for him. I just have a hard time reading anything before coffee. And if I make coffee, I wake the boys. And if I wake the boys, there is no hope of quiet time. Does anyone do theirs at night?

*Tone up - as noted in previous posts, I hit my weight loss goal but, most of you know, just because the scale gets to where you want it to be does NOT mean certain areas of your body get there, too. If only I could wave a wand and say, 'Abra cadabra, yummy gummy, next 5 lbs please exit the tummy.' How come that doesn't work? So if toning doesn't do the trick, maybe my 2011 resolution will be for a tummy tuck. Just kidding. Maybe. If only you could see what my 3 angels have done to my abdominal skin, you might just change your opinion. It's just gross. Nuf said.

*Simplify life - this might be more like a 3-year plan but I really think we need to explore the areas where our life could be less chaotic. With our boys getting older and going into extracirricular activities, that may be a lot easier said than done but I still think we can whittle away here and there. We just need to say 'NO' a lot more. OK, so this one may be the hardest....

*Build bonds with my boys - this one is really important to me to achieve this goal, and to continue every year. I started thinking about just how fast the last 5 years have gone and how fast the next 5 and 10 will go and I will never get this back. I find myself 'hushing' my children much too often if I can't hear the weatherman speaking or if I have a headache or if I just had a bad day. None of that matters a bit in the grand scheme of things. Who care if it’s going to rain or if someone cut me off on the interstate? At that ‘hushing’ moment, maybe my lil’ guy wanted to tell me he loved me or how he tied his shoe by himself or how his friend hurt his feelings. These ages are precious, their laughs priceless and I aspire this year to just truly listen to them, to be patient with them, to play with them and to just be their Mommy.


Got any resolutions you would like to share?

In This Busy Season....

Stop and take a minute to realize that everything happens for a reason and that God is not in the business of coincidences. He has a perfect plan for all of us and, though sometimes it might be a struggle to see the potential blessings, it will all be laid out in front of us in His time. This has happened countless times in my life and looking back, it's amazing to see how things have unfolded for my family when we put our trust in Him. This devotional I received this morning reminded me of it once again, how a simple change of plans may have impacted someone's life immensely - and how we should all 'look' for these opportunities to SHINE.

(From Proverbs 31 Ministries) -

My schedule was tight and I was out of make-up, so I planned to pick up my favorite foundation at the local mall, leaving room to still arrive on time for my friend's annual Christmas tea. As I prepared to leave, the Lord whispered to my heart, Don't go to the mall; go to the make-up store near your home.

But Lord, I argued, I have my friend's Christmas tea and the mall is on the way. What You're asking me to do isn't convenient. I will have to go out of my way and I will be late for the tea. And You know how important punctuality is to me!

After more mental arguing, I reluctantly obeyed and went into the corner make-up store.

I knew the young woman working. She's not only pleasant, but quick and efficient with her customers. Lord, maybe this inconvenience won't interrupt my schedule too much after all. As I entered the store, the familiar woman greeted me and offered to help with my purchase. I told her what I needed and added that I was in quite a hurry to be on time for my Christmas tea.

Quickly and efficiently she found the needed product and walked me to the register to check out.

This was easier than I thought, I said to myself as she handed me my purchase. Then it happened ... the reason I had been led to go out of my way.

"I know you're in a hurry, and I will only keep you one more moment." The young woman shared. "I'd like to ask that you pray for me and my struggling marriage as you drive to your Christmas tea. I don't think my marriage can be saved."

In that moment I sensed the Lord, This is why I wanted to interrupt your busy schedule.

I placed my purchase on the counter, held her hands and prayed. As the Lord guided my words, the young woman began to sob, her tears landing softly on my hands. When I said "Amen," she hugged me tightly and whispered, "Of all the people I've asked to pray for me, you're the first one to stop and do so. Thank you. I've been very discouraged, and had thought no one would ever respond to my request. In fact, I had given up all hope that God even heard my cries for help."

I reminded her of Psalm 145:18-19, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them" (NIV).

She thanked me for my time, adding that she would begin to dig into God's Word for more strength and encouragement. The store began to fill with customers. There was one more hug and an exchange of phone numbers as I left for the tea.

Since that day we have talked and prayed together on several occasions and we plan to continue into the New Year. Each time she and I talk, it's a reminder that when I listen and obey the Lord's promptings, I experience the joy of His presence in a powerful way.

God's divine delay taught me that being used by the Lord for His glory in the life of others far outweighs arriving on time.

So Sick of the Sickness

I just have to vent. Yes. Again. Seems I do a lot of that on here but hey - it's my blog and I'll whine if I want to.

This cold/flu season will not leave us alone. Particulary d3. I remember the struggles of the other two in their first year with all the common issues but it just seems way worse this time. And I accept the fact that my kids will probably contract more viruses than others since they are in F/T childcare but COME ON! He has had (what seems like) a three-month cough and he's too young to really give him anything to suppress so we just listen to the cough.....and deal with the looks we get from outsiders when he goes into a coughing fit. Always makes you feel great when that happens. I feel like making him a shirt that says, 'Yes, I've been to the doctor. It's just a cough. Don't judge!' And the cost of all this? Sheesh. I made a comment to our pediatrician recently that we should just cut out the middle man (insurance) and let me set up a direct transfer from my checking account to his. It's essentially what I'm doing - working to pay my doctor bills. Good thing we work together or he might be offended.

And then there's little d2 who had an ongoing ear infection that we finally got rid of. Who knows how long he had it - he hardly complains when he's in pain so it's difficult to know when he really does need a doc visit. I do love seeing d2 with our pediatrician. He just loves him. Last time we were there, it was the sweetest thing I've ever seen. He saw Dr. Y in the hallway so he broke away from me, sprinted to Dr. Y, leaped into his arms and planted a big ole' smooch on his cheek. I almost cried. And the best part? Dr. Y didn't miss a beat and said, 'I love you buddy, be good!' So, anyone in need of a good pediatrician? I have just the guy for you!

D1 is home, again, with d3 today. Second time this week. Fever and cough. Same story, different day. And d3 is cutting his top two teeth so we're praying it has a little to do with all the other symptoms. I'll look at the bright side of things - my kids pick up all the germs and grimeys when they are little. When they are in school, they should have perfect attendance from lack of sickness. Their attendance (or mine) is taking the hit now.

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Here's another 'Kids Say the Darndest Things - Darnell style' that goes along with the title of this post:

Ms. M (d2's teacher at preschool) told me last week that d2 spilled his milk at lunch that day and since they teach the kids to clean up after themselves (which I actively support), she gave d2 some paper towels. She said that when he was under the table, wiping the mess, he said, 'Ms. M, I am sick and tired of spilling my milk.' Oops. Guess he had to hear it from somewhere, huh?

Weight Watchers WORKS!

A quick post on my weight loss. I 'officially' started Weight Watchers mid-May when I returned to work after having d3. I had always planned to use the WW program once I was ready to start my journey and I knew I wouldn't be able to fit into many of my work clothes so it was definitely a good time. I had success after d1 and d2 on losing my baby weight so I was determined that being 3 years older wouldn't hinder me this time.

The day before I delivered d3, I weighed myself. Yikes. 205 lbs? That can't be right. I'm sure I'm just all fluid. I felt a little better about the 50 lb gain when d3 popped (ok, popped sounds WAY easier than it was) out at 9+ lbs. So the other 41 lbs should just fall off, right?

Fast forward 6 weeks. We had d3's baby dedication. Here is a picture of my large self -

Luckily I wasn't dumb enough to wear tight clothes because it wasn't a pretty sight. Here I weighed 173 lbs. This is probably the day I decided it was time to put down the brownies and cut off my Dr. Pepper consumption and get serious. Which is really hard to do when you have great friends bringing you dinner and dessert so often AND when your newborn is up 2 times a night AND you have to go back to work (and try to use what brain cells you have left) but it can be done.

It is now December, just about 7 months later, and I feel SO much better. I set my goal to lose 30 lbs and I actually reached it over a month ago. I thought I would push myself a little further to lose 35 lbs before vacation to Missouri and I'm almost there. Let me just say that it is next to impossible to diet during the holidays. You have Thanksgiving, leftovers from Thanksgiving, Christmas parties (with Vicki's awesome cooking!), chocolate overload (my weakness).....so I'm just thrilled I haven't gained. So here's the 'after' picture.
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So this is me at 140 lbs. I am thrilled to be able to wear my cherished Silver jeans again and was ecstatic to be able to put on the pair of size 8's my sweet friend Livy brought me this summer. They are almost loose!! Not sure why I have my hand on my hip in this picture - I'm really not trying to do the model look, not my thing. Truth be told, I actually wanted D1 to climb up in the attic at 6:30 this morning and dig out my capris I wore in the first picture and pull off 'The Biggest Loser' shot with me holding the 'big' pants. He just gave me a look. I think it meant no, among other things.

Now the challenge - to keep it off. Spending a week with my MIL who doesn't know anything other than cooking fatty foods (yes, it's really good but artery-clogging at best) is going to be tough but vacation isn't supposed to be about counting points. Unless, of course, you want to see how many points you can get in one day.......

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ETA: My apologies for the quality of photo #2. It comes from my phone. I love my iPhone but the photo function is less than stellar. You would think it would be better but it's not. And I really didn't need any help with my pasty, pale skin that the phone enhanced so THANKS APPLE.