We love Chuggington.

Every once in a while as i visit some of the blogs I have come to enjoy reading, I come upon a giveaway that I decide to enter.  I was lucky enough to win a couple of times last year.  A couple of weeks ago I was informed that I had been lucky again :)

I had entered a giveaway at Callista's Ramblings for a new DVD called Chuggington: Let's Ride the Rails.  Since we don't have cable, my boys are lovers of movies.  We enjoy lots of Disney movies, Veggie Tales, Backyardigans, Handy Manny, Magic School Bus, etc.  They love all things automotive.  Planes, cars, trucks, trains and anything else they can get their hands on.  When I saw this DVD I knew that they would be very interested to check it out.

When it arrived it didn't take us long to get it put into the DVD player.  The boys had seen an episode of Chuggington at their Gramma and Grampa's house while visiting there and were excited to tell me who the different characters were.

The colours are bright and the CGI animation is great.  The stories center around three trainees, Wilson, Brewster, and Koko as they learn about life on the rails and becoming productive chuggers.  All three of my boys enjoyed this video and I'm sure we will be checking out some of the other Chuggington titles.

If you have a child that likes trains, check out this fun series. It's cheerful and works in some life lessons into the episodes as well.

A big thankyou to Callista's Ramblings for this great giveaway.  We are certainly enjoying it. 

General Grievous + The Emperor = Cool Mom

...well, atleast for today :)

I love my boys.  They are bundles full of energy, attitude and dirt.  They drive me crazy.  They make me laugh.  On one hand I yell at them too much, but on the other I give them extra chances too.  There are days when I am sure they don't like me very much, but there are other days when I KNOW how much they love me!

As a parent there is always a desire to give your kids the things that they want.  Obviously giving them EVERYTHING they want is not wise, but some times it bums me out when one of them asks for something they REALLY want and we just can't afford to get it.  Finding things that don't cost anything but make the boys feel like they have been given something awesome can be a challenge.

Today I had the pleasure of finding one of those things :)

My older two boys LOVE playing Star Wars Lego on the Wii.  It is actually fun to watch them play sometimes.  This game can be played just sitting on the couch, but not for my boys.  They hop around and jump and swing.  They get their very own little workouts. 

One of their favourite parts of the game is opening new characters.  They do their best to earn points to be able to do this.  They try hard, but they die.....alot.  Every time you die you lose coins.  Over the last few weeks they have talked alot about wanting to open General Grievous and the Emperor.  General Grievous was 70 000 coins, and the Emperor was 250 000!!!!  Those numbers are HUGE when they get to numbers like 25 000 and want to spend them. LOL 

Well last night I decided that I would try and help them earn some coins to get these two characters opened.  Now, i must admit that I enjoy video games.  I don't play alot, but when I do, I can lose track of time....easily.  Last night was no different.  I started to play about 8pm and at 10pm I finally shut it off.  Wow, just like that 2 hours were gone!

But, it was 2 hours well spent.  I happened upon a level where it was pretty easy to add up the points.  I just kept playing the same level over and over.  I was successful enough to open both the General and the Emperor as well as several others.  But the best part for me was opening a x2 multiplier and invincibility.  Now the boys will have a better chance of earning the coins and keeping them.

Fast forward to this morning. 

Normally I don't let the boys play video games before school, but I was so excited for them to find out what I had opened that we turned the game on.  They were so happy and Mommy was totally cool! It was awesome fun.

Sometimes its the simple things :)

LIFE.....

As you take your first breath, only God knows how long it will be before you take your last.  From your first sunrise to your last sunset, will it be a mere moment, or many many years?  Will it be a good life?  Will it be full of joy, laughter, and love?  Will you look back on your life with amazement at how far you've come, or with regret of all the things you didn't do? 

Life....

Much of it is lived by the choices we make.  What courses to take? What career path to follow?  Where to live? Who to love? We make so many choices each and everyday. What to wear, what to eat, what to do? Some little, some HUGE.

But what about the choices we didn't make?  The times when life deals you a hand that you don't want to play? The times when we question what God is thinking and how, if He truly cared, could He let this happen?

Today I am thinking about and praying for a friend who is dealing with just that.  A few days ago her Mom went to the doctor because she didn't feel well.  The next day they figured it was something to do with her gall bladder.  Not fun, but handleable.  Today its a very aggressive form of cancer with possibly only weeks to live.

In an instant she went from believing she had years left to share with her mom to not knowing if today is the last day that they will get to share a conversation, a laugh, a hug, or anything at all.

It hurts me to imagine what she is going through.

I think about my own mom who was ill for several months during the winter, and of my mother-in-law who has battled a myriad of health problems and disease for years and years.  I love them both with all of my heart and will be devastated when God finally calls them home.  But my friend's situation has me wondering...if one of my moms died today, would I look back with regret or would I be confident that they knew how very much I loved and appreciated them? 

How often do we get sucked in by the routine of our lives and forget about those we love.  When was the last time you called your Dad, your sister, your Aunt, or a friend just to say I love you and you are important to me.  Do your kids know how much they mean to you?  How proud you are of them and how blessed you are that God gave them to you?  Does your husband know that you are so very grateful to have stuck it out together through all the rough spots and treasure the strength of your marriage and love today?

I don't want to live life always wondering if today is the day I will lose someone I truly care about.  That is no way to live.  I do want to make sure that I take the opportunities that I am given to have those I love KNOW that I love them, that they are special to me and that I am truly thankful that God brought them into my life.

Life is short. 

The end comes without warning. 

Choose to make the most of every second you have. 

Be a blessing to those around you. 

Take the time to write a note, send an email, make that phone call.

Cherish the moments we've been given, and enjoy all of those amazing people in your life.

Tales of Three

I am proud to say that I am Mom to three awesome little boys. 

They have changed my world, changed my priorities, changed my life.

They are full of energy, creativity, imagination, laughter and an abundance of love.

They make me laugh, cry, sing, shout, scream, dance, play, and snuggle.

They are loud.

They get dirty.

They are ours:)

One of the things I love the most about my boys is their love for each other. 

They are proud to be big brothers.

They CAN share.

They encourage and celebrate each other's accomplishments.

They make each other laugh.

 There are fights...... of course. 

There are Star Wars battles

and then there are battles over Star Wars. 

There are Lego Wars and there are wars over Lego.

There are arguments about who gets what plate, who sits where, who goes first, who didn't put their toys away and so on, and so on, and so on.

But, if push comes to shove....

I know they have each other's backs:)

Blink and you miss it!!

I find it remarkable how fast time flies!  When you are a kid everything seems to take an impossibly long time...unless you are having fun.  Now as an adult with 3 young boys, I feel like I blink and a week has flown by.  Heaven forbid I take a nap, there goes a month!!!  Time just seems to disappear right before my eyes.

Back in the end of November I had decided that I would take some time away from my blogs.  That would allow me to get through my oldest son's birthday parties, Christmas and New Year's.  Then, I would start back fresh in January.  What happened?  Where did the time go?

Today is February 28th, 2011.  Holy camoly!!! More than 3 months have gone by since my last post, and 2 whole months past when I had planned on being back!!  CRAZY!!  Apparently my New Year's resolution of being more organized with my time has not proven easy.  However....

Here I sit.  Eager to return.

So, I hope you had a great Christmas, lots of parties and wonderful family time, an awesome New Year's, hopefully not too too much to drink, a January full of fresh beginnings, a happy Valentine's Day and a fabulous Family Day too!!.  I hope that 2011 is treating you well so far and that you are looking forward to how the remainder of the year unfolds for you and yours.

I hope that you might find me again and continue this journey here with me, as well as checking out my Gratitude Blog  here (which has also been sadly neglected).  As always, your comments are most welcome and I look forward to visiting with you again soon.

Today's truth

Yesterday was weigh in day.

Bummer.

When I woke up in the morning I didn't want to go.

I knew that I was up, and up ALOT.

I got into the shower.

As I stood there having the hot water wash over me I realized something.

There was NO reason not to go.

Yes I knew I had gained,

but I was okay with that.

My hubby and I had finally had a weekend to spend with each other without our 3 kids, and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed it!

I wouldn't change it.

So, to my meeting I went.

I weighed in.

I gained.

ALOT.

But I'm fine with that.

Today is a new day.

Bring on next weeks weigh in.

Want to join in on the blogging fun?

Join Diminishing Lucy's Fat to Fit Thursday Blog Hop.

Makeover Week

Yes, I am a fan of the Biggest Loser.

I haven't seen every season, but I have enjoyed the ones that I have.

This season is no different.

Sure there are always contestants that I don't like so much...(Brendan), and others that seem to grow on me.....(Ada).

But ultimately I just enjoy seeing the amazing transformations these people go through.

This week is
Makeover week.

Always a fun episode to watch.

They revealed their transformations with a fashion show.

Watching each of them strut their stuff on the catwalk you could see how thrilled each of them was with the progress they have made so far.

Watching some of their families/friends reactions when they got to see them was so touching.

Seeing the faces of Frado's children brought me to tears.  These kids are in their teens, and have never in their lives seen their Dad at the weight he currently is.  He had always been much heavier.

It made me think.

My kids have only know this version of me.

That makes me sad.

I want to show them a Mom that can be active with them.

A Mom that cares enough for them, AND for herself, to do what it takes to get healthy and strong.

To prove to them that anything is possible if you want it bad enough.

Makeover week.

Eventually I'm going to have my own Makeover week.

I think that needs to be a reward for reaching one of my goals.
Not sure which goal yet, but I'll think on that.

I have so work to do.

Cowboy Gabe

Do you ever take pictures of your kids and wonder where the heck they got "THAT" from?

The weekend of Halloween Gord dressed up for work as a Wyatt Earp type character, complete with guns, cowboy hat, and spurs.  He looked great.  The boys thought it was great too...especially the guns (of course).

When he got home from work that night he handed Gabe his hat, and the following are what came out of it.

It starts with this...

a little smirk as he notices Mom is taking a picture.

Then, of course, the guns come out.

Notices Mom is still taking pictures, and really starts to get into it.

Now for the cowboy face...

Now just for the Ladies...

Howdy Ma'am

And we finish with this.

Too funny!  I laugh at these every time I look at them.  Gotta love him.

But wait, before you go, you have to see

Zach 'The Kid'

Ain't he just the cutest?

Wonderful Weekend

I decided after my last post that I didn't want to blog anymore if I couldn't blog in a more positive way.  Who wants to read such depressing stuff all the time?

So, I took a break.

Today I am back, and hopefully with a better heart attitude.

Mondays are for Mommy's Musing and I am going to use this post to tell you about the wonderful weekend I just had.

Originally hubby was supposed to be off all weekend, but after being off sick for more than a week at the beginning of the month, it was just not going to happen.  Friday was his scheduled day off, so we still got that. 

The day started off pretty much the same way it usually does with the boys up and me nagging at them every couple of minutes to get dressed.  Eventually they arrived at the table for breakfast.  Daddy got up (which usually doesn't happen on the only day he has to sleep in) and enjoyed breakfast with his boys as I got lunches made and backpacks ready for school.

By 8:20am the boys are on the bus and I am back in the house to get myself some breakie.  Gord is back to bed, and Isaac and I are hangin' out enjoying our morning.  Naptime comes for Isaac and after getting some emails sent and checking out facebook I decided that I would take the opportunity to nap too.

Naptime was great.  We napped much later than I normally leave Isaac (he usually has an afternoon one too). We decided that since we had to be at the school to pick up the boys at 3:30 (instead of waiting for the bus to drop them off), we would let Isaac nap as long as possible and only give him one.

Everybody up and lunch done.  Then showers, and the boys bags packed for the weekend.  We hadn't told them they were going to be away for the weekend and I wasn't sure how that was going to be received when we picked them up.  We picked them up and when everyone was buckled into the car we let them in on the weekend plans.  There were some teary eyes when they heard that they were going by themselves, and we were told that we'd be missed SO much!  (Thanks for the tear at my heartstrings, but you are still going!)

We arrived at Auntie Dawn's and I braced myself for the pending tears, wails and neverending hugs.  In we walked, down into the family room we go.  Low and behold, there is a new tv at Auntie Dawn's and its a HUGE one!  Problem solved.  Had to tear them away just to get kisses, hugs and goodbyes.  Isaac was a little unhappy, but our nephew took him and we were out the door. 

Back in the truck I took a deep breath and slowly let it out.  I was going to be kid free for the next 43 and 1/2 hours.  BRING IT ON!!

 If you know my husband, you always know where you can find him on a friday night.  With season's tickets, he is there to support his Kitchener Rangers whenever possible.  I on the other hand go only a couple of times a season.  It isn't that I don't like to go, actually I enjoy it when I do get to go, but I get so nervous and tense for them during the game I just couldn't do it every week.  Thankfully I am not a hockey mom!  My admiration goes out to two of my sister-in-laws who are both hockey moms.  Better you than me :)

So, being that it was friday, the game was pretty much a no brainer.  We enjoyed a nice dinner out, then on to the game.  It was a great game!  Kitchener beat the Kingston Frontenacs 4-3.  I even caught a glimpse of Doug Gilmour (yes, I do know who that is).  As usual I was so nervous for them, but had a great time.

We ate a little more after the game, then headed on home for some uninterrupted adult entertainment.  Those of you with children, I am sure you understand the always having an ear out for the kids bedroom door opening, even in the midst of sex!!  Not an issue this weekend!  Hallelujah!  Enough said *Blush*

Saturday morning Gord was off to work, and I got to SLEEP IN!!!!!! Oh sweet sleep, I have missed you!!  Even so, I was still up by 10.  Played around on my computer for a bit, finished up some laundry, and had a list a mile long of stuff to do.  Instead I sat and listened to the ticking of the clock on the kitchen wall, the hum of my dryer, and the wurr of my computer.  AHHHHHHH, peace.  No yelling, no thumping, no Mommy, Mommy, MOMMY.  Just peaceful house noises.

It was while enjoying those house noises that I decided that I was not going to do my mile long to do list, but rather go out and enjoy doing some errands and christmas shopping ON MY OWN!!!!  And the blessings keep coming!  LOL

We had planned to check out a movie Saturday night and knowing how Gord's days usually go at the dealership, I knew we would be going out in London.  We had arranged for him to be picked up in the morning so that we could come home together in the evening instead of having two cars.

I puttered around the whole afternoon.  Enjoyed driving his truck.  Even got pretty good at parking it.  I was totally impressed with myself when I backed into a parking spot perfectly in a horribly busy lot at the Western Fair Grounds.  GO ME!

The dealership closes at 5pm on a saturday.  It was 5:30pm when I arrived (knowing how it usually works).  It was after 7 when we finally got out of there.  The nice thing was we were kid free, so it didn't matter how late we were going to be, so a late show was no big deal. 

Our movie picks were RED, Unstoppable, and something else that totally illudes me at this moment.  Gord went in to purchase our tickets in advance.  He came out grinning like a school boy.  At this particular Ciniplex in London they have a couple of VIP theatres.  You pay extra, but for a treat, it was worth it.  More on that later.

Now to grab dinner at Shoeless Joe's.  I had brought Gord a change of clothes (which of course he didn't want while we were at the dealership but now that we were out), so before we went into the restaurant he changed.  Yup, right there in the parking lot.  Have you ever tried to get someone's cowboy boots off while you are both sitting in a truck?  We got them though, and Gord only got a couple looks while standing in his boxers outside.

Dinner was nice.  Relaxing too since we didn't have to be back at the theatre until 10pm.  Our first choice of movie was RED, but that was sold out in VIP, so we went to see Unstoppable.  It is based on a true story.  Not a relaxing movie.  It was really good but I was a nervous wreck.  LOL, two nights in a row.  But so much fun!  The VIP theatre has comfy recliner chairs set in pairs, so you are not right on top of anybody.  It is licensed, so you can drink if you want.  They have a special menu....not just popcorn and candy.  Cheese sticks, potato skins, cupcakes...a full two page menu.  Plus, you are served!  LMAO!! An actual waiter/ess comes and takes your order and then brings it to you.  You do have to be there 20 mins before your show if you want that service though.  But, for a treat it was fun.

More adult entertainment....enough said.

(I will tell you that for the first time in a VERY LONG TIME, clothes were strewn all the way down the hallway)

Sunday we opted to sleep in instead of going to church.  It was so nice just to be able to snuggle up close to my hubby and know that I wasn't going to be beckoned any minute. 

We picked the boys up at noon and of course when we arrived they didn't want to leave. 

A truly awesome weekend.

They Deserve It, and So Do I

I have been struggling.

I have a lot of negative self talk.

I say I want to change.

I have lots of things to change.

but

I don't change.

I NEED to change.

I know that I am not giving my all.

Not to any part of my life.

Not to my house.

Not to my kids.

Not to my husband.

Not to my house.

Not to my church.

Not to my family or friends.

Not to my community.

NOT TO MYSELF!

Why?

I don't believe in myself.

I listen to the negative talk that is

almost constantly playing in my head.

I lose sight of all I have.

I lose sight of where I want to go.

Tomorrow

is

A NEW DAY

and what's more is

that I am actually looking forward to it.

A fresh start.

Yes, it might be ANOTHER one,

but that's okay

I deserve it, and I'm going to take it.

My kids and my hubby

deserve that effort from me.

So bring on tomorrow.



Reading .... Do I have to?

Me:  Let's do your reading.

Gabe:  Do I have to?

This is the way our conversation starts almost every day after school.

Reading is NOT one of Gabe's favourite past times.

This makes me sad.

He can read.....

when he pays attention and actually LOOKS at the words,

and sounds them out

instead of trying to just guess from the pictures.

I try to get him to understand that

reading is a gateway to an

amazing world of wonder.

You can go anywhere and be anything in books.

He doesn't seem impressed.

It is my hope that one day

the light will go on

and

reading will become something

he loves.

In the meantime,

we will continue to have our daily conversation.

How do you help your kids to learn to love reading?

Got any tricks or tips?

Thank God It's Monday!

THANK GOD IT'S MONDAY!

I know that this is a pretty radical statement.  With most people rejoicing when it is finally FRIDAY, why on earth would anyone be thankful that it is MONDAY?

Well, if you haven't figured it out already, I haven't been having the best few weeks lately.  I go through times like these every once in a while.  They aren't fun.  Thankfully it is usually only a few weeks and then I am back to my normal self.  It can be quite the struggle while I am in it though.

So, why am I thanking God that it's Monday?  Well, I am feeling pretty much back to myself today.  The sun is shining(this is a BIG thing for me), the older boys are at school, baby is napping at the moment, laundry is on, and I'm feeling like I might actually have a productive day.

I have a to do list that is atleast a mile long, and a weight loss journey that has stalled horribly, a house that needs some serious cleaning, but thank God its Monday, perfect for a fresh start.

Well, I must go dear friends.  I'm feeling good, and I'm not going to waste it. 

Hope you are enjoying your monday!!

Some days....

 I know that I haven't been in all week, and for that I apologize....being sick sucks...just sayin.....

I know that it is Saturday and that I am supposed to be writing some wonderful words about our weekend or some such thing. However, I have just got to get something off my chest today. 

So, here it goes....

There are some days (today being one of them, if you hadn't guessed that already) that it takes EVERYTHING i have not to look up toward the heavens and ask God.....WHAT THE HECK WERE YOU THINKING GIVING ME CHILDREN!!????!!!....

Some days I get so frustrated, then I deal with things with an even greater lack of effectiveness, more frustration, louder voice, anger, and so on til we hit a peak.....then.....

I feel like a complete failure as a Mom...again.

Why is it that I can't get my boys to understand that if they don't want to clean up a huge mess....then don't make one....

If you want to have treats because you were good.....then be good....

If you don't want mom to lose her MIND....do as she asks...THE FIRST TIME.....alright even the second time, but come on.....

I always thought that I was good with kids.  I always thought that I would be a good mom. 

I don't feel that way often anymore.  I get disappointed in myself and worry that my severe lacking in the "AWESOME MOM" department is really going to affect them adversely.  As it is, my Grade Two guy hates to read, and struggles with staying on task at school. 

I worry.

I love my boys desperately, with all of my heart.  I can only pray that that love can make up for so many other shortcomings of this "Struggling to be a Good"  Mom.

Do you ever feel like this?

Date Night

I don't know about you,

but around here,

its hard to get some

 Mommy Alone time.

It is also very hard to get some

Mommy and Daddy Alone

time!

Yesterday my hubby and I had a social afternoon for his BNI group to go to.

Thankfully my awesome sister was willing to babysit.

What was even more awesome was that she was

willing to watch them not only for the afternoon of the social,

but also for the evening!

This meant hubby and I could enjoy an actual

DATE NIGHT!!!

Wahoo!

I'm not exactly sure when the last time we had the opportunity to do that was.

They are far too few and far between.

We had a lovely time at the social, and enjoyed a really nice

chat with another couple.

We actually found out during the course of conversation

that her and I share the same birth month and year.

She is only 13 days older than I am.

It was fun to meet and put faces to some of the people

hubby talks about.

The best part though was getting to go and have dinner

together

ALONE

no noisy kids, no needing to cut anybody's meal,

no making sure Isaac wasn't hoovering his food,

no 'eat your dinner please'

no mess.

Just us!

Funny thing is we picked a place to eat that was

REALLY noisy.

But the food was great.

I also had my first 'drink' in

probably more than 4 years.

I just don't drink...for no other reason than

most of it I just don't like the taste of, so why waste the money.

However,

I do like nice fruity, frothy stuff.

Yup, totally girlie drinks.

I definitely enjoyed my

Strawberry Daiquiri.

Then we were off to a movie.

There really wasn't much playing at the theatre we went to

that we wanted to see.

We decided on The Expendables.

Who wouldn't love a cast like that?

Sylvester Stallone,

Jason (yummy) Statham,

Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren,

Mickey Rourke,

Eric Roberts, Steve Austin

Terry Crews,

Cameos by

Bruce Willis and

Arnold Schwartzeneggar

Is it violent?  Yup!

Was it funny? Yup!

Did we enjoy it?  Yup!

It was nice to sit in that theatre,

have my hubby holding my hand,

not have to think about, or listen for the kids.

Even just for a few hours it is a welcomed break!

So, I have to say a HUGE thankyou to my big sister.

Love you LOADS and LOADS.

To my Hubby,

I love you more and more each day.

Thankyou for a really great day.

All my love.

Why Do We Fall

Today's quote is from the movie Batman Begins.  I chose to use this one for today's inspiration/motivation because of a comment left yesterday...thanks Melissa.

It has been said like this.....

   Why do we fall?

So we can pick ourselves up again.

The actual quote is......

Why do we fall?

So that we may LEARN to pick ourselves up again.

I think that is very important part to the message!  Every time we fall, we learn more about whatever it is we are trying to do.  With my weightloss journey, every time I "fall", I learn more about what I am doing that works, doesn't work, the places I struggle, what things are triggers for me, etc, etc. 

The more I can learn with each time I fall, hopefully the less I will have to fall. 

So, as long as I make sure to learn something from each time I do fall, then it has not been for nothing.

For The Third Time

Thursday is here and time for me to come clean about my journey.

I am currently in a funk. I have lost and gained the same 5lbs over and over. I believe this is now my third time around. With my loss yesterday of .4lbs I am back to 24lbs lost (31.2lbs from my heaviest), and seem to be struggling AGAIN!

I was hoping to really make a fresh start with the boys getting back to school and only having one left at home. But, that hasn't happened AT ALL!! We are now coming up to the end of the 2nd week, and where am I? Tired...really tired....and eating!

The first week was screwy with Gabe going on Tuesday, but Zach not going til Thursday. This week Gabe was home sick Tuesday, went for half the day wednesday, now Isaac is sick too. Tomorrow is friday and all I want to do is sleep! I am waiting for Zach to get it too which should make for a fun weekend.

Everyday I just keep failing to pull myself back together and get back on track. I don't want to spiral out of control. I don't want to gain anything more back. I don't want to have to lose this same stupid 5 pounds again.

So i ask you.....what do you do when you feel like you are at the end of your rope? When life just seems to be a little too much for the moment and your good old friend FOOD is taunting you every moment, and you are giving in more than you are fighting it. How do you regain control?

Today is BLOG HOP day.

Join Diminishing Lucy
at her

blog hop!

Rules are here

So come on along!

Slow and Steady

Today our topic at my WW meeting was this......

.2

.4

.6

.8

Why don't we appreciate?

The conversation was about what we say to ourselves when the loss on the scale for a particular week is only .2 or so.  Do you talk negatively, berating yourself for lack of effort or some other reason for the small loss, or do you say something like...hey, it's down!

Why is it that we would never look at a friend or someone else trying to lose weight and get on their case for such a loss.  We would congratulate them for even the smallest amount.  So why, when it comes to our own weigh ins do we criticize ourselves when we don't deem the loss as substantial enough.

For me I think its because I too often focus on my "big" picture.  I have well over 100 pounds left to lose, and to weigh in and be down .4lbs (as I was today) can be frustrating, demoralizing, disheartening etc.  That is when I need to change my focus. 

Stop thinking about the big numbers and start concentrating on only the next 5lbs(or whatever you choose).  Take the pressure off your weigh ins.  Every .2, .6, or whatever all adds up to big eventually.

As Aesop said, "slow and steady wins the race".  As long as we continue to move forward, each little piece is getting you closer to your goal.  Stay the course and you will be successful.

p.s.......took Gabe to the dr. today and yup, Strep throat!  Now, my 1 year old is fighting a fever.  Looks like I am probably heading back to the doctor tomorrow for him.  I'm praying that nobody else gets it!!

Fever and Torture

Some days all I wish for is a whole day to sleep with NO interruptions.  With 3 small kids, a full nights sleep is something of the past.  There are some nights that are worse than others though.  Last night was one of them.  I didn't get to bed until midnight, and then from 2am to 6:30am was up 7 times with various children.  Needless to say I am dragging my butt today.

Anyway,  since its Tuesday and Tuesdays are supposed to be tales of my three boys, I will tell you about there rest of my morning.  My oldest (who had been up the most through the night) was running a fever....mild, but still there.  That was his only symptom, and I was trying to decide whether or not to send him to school. (It is only the 6th day of school after all, how can we have a sick day already).  My middle son who is now in JK and has only been going to school on the bus for 3 days had a meltdown at the thought of his brother not going to school with him.

I had decided to send Gabe to school, and hope for the best, but as the morning progressed, and the lethargy set in, I knew he wasn't going to have a good day if I sent him.  So, we broke the news to Zach that he was going to go by himself today. 

Well, you would have thought that I was torturing this poor kid.  I fought with him to get his shoes on.  Fought with him to get his sweater on.  The whole time he is wailing.  I kept trying to reassure him that everything would be fine and he'd have a great day, just like the last 3, but he was having none of it.

We got outside to head down the driveway to meet the bus and he grab onto the railing at our stairs....still wailing.  I pulled him off and kept heading for the bus.  We started down the driveway (long country driveway) and the whole way he wailed.  He told me he was going to throw up.  He said he hated school.  He said he would stay in his bed (lol....this came out because I had told Gabe if he was staying home he would be in his bed, not watching tv or playing games).  Still we pressed on.  Arriving at our pick up spot he is STILL wailing, pleading with me not to send him. 

The bus arrives and I can see the drivers face as she pulls in.  She can already tell there is an issue with him.  She opens the door, I tell her Gabe is sick and not going and that's why Zach is having a fit.  (She is wonderful!!!)  She looked at me, said OK, just give him to me.  I literally had to lift him up the stairs into the bus.  He was fighting with all he had to not get on.  She grabbed a hold of him and I backed out of the doors.  She held on to him while she closed the doors, and promised to call when they got to school.  As she backed up he was in the window and did wave goodbye to me.  The windows are tinted so I couldn't tell if he was still crying (which is probably a good thing).

I did my usual wave and watch the bus head back out our driveway and down the street and as I turned to come back to the house, I burst into tears.  That was SOOOOOO much harder than the first day of school had been.  I knew that I had to make him go otherwise we would have the same problem the rest of the year.  He needed to figure out that he can do it on his own without his brother.  I KNOW all of that, but it hurt so bad to see him that upset with me.  I felt like a horrible Mom.

I did chat with the bus driver and she said he was fine within about 5 minutes.  She reminded me that it is always so much harder on the Mom's, but you MUST do it or you create an even bigger problem the next time.

None the less, It was an awful feeling and I can't wait for him to get off the bus so I can hug him and tell him how much I love him.

A New Schedule. A New Routine

It's Monday!  This is the start of my first week with my "new" schedule!  I have two boys in school fulltime now, so it's just me and Isaac once we get them onto the bus at 8:15am and off again at 3:45ish.

As I type this Isaac is taking his morning nap.  I have dishes done, laundry on the line, another load in the washing machine, boys beds are made and room is straightened up (that will be part of THEIR new routine starting tomorrow).  Still have lots to do, but ready to have the time to myself to do it now.

I don't know about you, but I have a list that is longer than my arm of stuff that I have been meaning to get done, but with 3 kids at home for the summer, just never seemed to find the time.  I am hoping to get that list tackled quickly, because a lot of it needs to be done before the snow flies.

Things like (in no particular order)...
* sand and repaint a dresser
* sand and repaint two old school desks
* get all of the flowerbeds cleaned out and ready for winter
* organize the sunroom/porch
* organize the playroom
* organize my Avon business and GET SELLING!!
* finish unpacking the stuff still left in Isaac's room (yes we moved a year ago and I still have unpacking to do!)
* get back to a regular exercise routine
* meal plan!
* paint the boys room
* clean and organize the garage
*
*
* and the list goes on.....

Here's hoping to getting this week off to a great new start!
What things do you have on your list?

September 11, 2001.....I remember.

What do you choose to remember? Everyone seems to be asking today if you remember where you were when you heard of the attacks of September 11th. Do I remember? Yes, but what else do you remember?

There was so much devastation, destruction and death that day, but there was also amazing heroism, selflessness, love, hope and miracles. It is a day that touched everyone is some way. We will be forever changed, the world will be forever changed.

I prayed alot that day and the days following it. I prayed for those who died, those who survived, those left behind, those who gave their lives to save others, those who committed these horrible acts, for my family. I thanked God that I wasn't there, that my family wasn't there, for all those that were saved, for all of those He took home that day.

Today, I pray and thank God for all those things again. I hugged my children close and was thankful that they had yet to be born on that fateful day. I thought about what I will say to them in a few years when this anniversary comes around again and they are old enough to know about it and ask questions. I pray that I will have intellegent, heartfelt answers for them.

There are times when I question the value of progress. We have made such advances in medicine, architecture, science, technology, education, and so on, but we have also made advances in weaponry, warfare, and terror.

What advances have we made since that day in 2001? Are they good? Are they bad? Are they making things better or worse? What kind of things will be changed forever because of that day? What does the future hold?