Thank GOD for Grandparents!

We have the night off.  Our thought is to chance it and head to Olive Garden.  I know, they had a shooting in the parking lot last night, we are going to ride by and see what it looks like.

Day 4

Trying not to get discouraged.  Must have done something wrong.  Gained my pound back.

Calling Food Lovers today.  It has to be something did!

Will keep you posted.

Day 3 of transforming my life/body WITH FOOD!

Breakfast 6:15
Egg/Biscuit Muffin (Left over from Christmas/We are trying to use stuff in fridge)
1/2 Banana

Snack 9:00
1/2 cup of oatmeal w/Blueberries

Lunch 12:00

Salad (Vinaigrette Dressing)
Baked Potato w/low fat Chili

Snack 3:00
2 slices of bread – toasted
w/teaspoon of peanut butter total

Supper 6:00
Grilled Cheese
Baked Fries
Choc. covered Raisins

In case you are wondering I am only going to post maybe 1 more day of meal plans, then I will keep posting results only for the rest of the 21 days.

Kids!

The kids have been here and yonder this Christmas Break and all though it was a little stressful and hairy for Pat and I at times, the most important thing is they have had a blast!  They loved spending time with Papa Boozer, Gaining a new Babysitter (FINALLY) and back to Camp Papa Boozer and Dang's soon.

Day 2 of turning my body into a fat burning machine!

1.2 lbs down total (Better than gaining)
Meal plan yesterday (I have never felt better):

Breakfast 6:15
2 egg whites w/scoop of Salsa
1/2 Cup Oatmeal with Fresh Blueberries

Snack 9:15
Apple

1.5 Mile Walk 12:00

Lunch 12:30
Frozen Dinner
skinny cow candy bar

Snack: 3:00
Cheese Crackers
100 Cal.Popcorn

Supper: 6:00
Grilled Avocado/ Cheese Sandwich
Veggie Soup (Progresso 1 cup)

Snack 9:00
1/2 Bowl Low Cal. Chilli I made for tomorrow's supper I had to taste it!

Bed 11:00

Fat Lose Plate!

Doesn't that sound good? I have been a chronic dieter for so long now. I am ready for that to stop. So I am watching this info commercial about the Food Lovers Diet, and I must say I was impressed. They claim to teach you how to turn your body into a fat burning machine, and drop the pounds while eating. Doesn't this all sound wonderful? I can't take diet pills because of my medical history, not that I was going to because I have not found one diet pill that works and keeps the weight off (no offence to anyone if you have found something that works I am really happy for you). So I fell for the Food Lovers Diet plan hook line and sinker. 

You get this huge box of reading materials and DVD's and it is overwhelming.  I honestly almost started crying thinking about it.  I felt kind of stupid.  But I want to eat better and teach my body to use food the way it was intended instead of eating the wrong foods and not giving my body what it needs.

Can you tell I am skeptical?  Well I was I have to be honest. I have been on the diet a total of 30 hours now and I have lost a pound, and I have eaten a ton over the holiday's. Here is a sample of my meal yesterday:

Breakfast (7:00 AM - Eat within 30 minutes of waking):2 - Sausage Pattie's (we made them with Deer Meat, Apple Sauce and lots of spices
1/2 Cup of Oatmeal with 1/2 cup of Fresh Blueberries


Snack (10:00 AM):
Apple and Cheese (stay within 200 calories)

 Lunch (12:30 PM):
Carrots on the way home from the grocery store, I was getting a little hungry.
Avocado, Tomato, Turkey, Provolone Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Progresso Light Clam Chowder (Pat and I split a can)



Snack (3:00 PM): (Ok so I cheated a little for snack, that’s ok)
Cereal Bar
Grapes
Choc covered Raisins


Supper (6:00 PM):
Tilapia Baked
Broccoli
Potato Salad left over from MeMaw's Christmas Party.

I could have had a 8:00 PM snack but didn't since I was ready for bed, and I went a little crazy for the 3:00 PM snack.  I should not have skipped, but it was day 1 so I gave myself a little bit of a learning curve.

Christmas Morning!

I have to start this post by filling you in on our late night events. Ashlyn fell off the love seat backwards and fell on her head on the wood floor.  I gave her an ice pack and after a little tylenol she fell asleep.  Luke did not go to sleep until 9:30.  Santa had put a few things upstairs when out of no where Ashlyn wakes up at 10:30 she would not go back to sleep until I got in the bed with her.  She said that the reason she woke up is because she did not want Santa to come in her room.  So I put her in our bed and snuggled up.  I found my side of the bed soaking wet.  The ice pack had melted and leaked all over the bed.  I put down plastic bags and a towel and we went to sleep.  She fell asleep so Santa finished up at 11:30!  We all went to bed, and Ashlyn moved and moved I remember waking up at 1:30 and 3:00.  So I went and got in her bed finally at 3:00 since I could not sleep.  Every time she moved so did the plastic bags.  I am in Ashlyn's bed, and Luke wakes up at 4:05, Pat gets in the bed with him, since it is too early to wake up. {He told Luke that Santa was still putting out gifts}  So that leaves little Ashlyn in the big bed all by herself.  Then to top it all off my alarm goes off at 5:55 and scares her half to death.  She wakes up alone with the alarm clock in her ear.  She runs out to the living room to see Santa and I meet her, since her screaming scared me half to death.  Everyone was up at 5:55 after not getting much sleep.  We played the Wii and our Air Hockey/Fooseball table all morning and ate Candy.  Took a little nap and now ready to head to MeMaw and PawPaws to open a few more gifts.

Thanks to the movie Authur Christmas, Santa got the idea to run the ribbon upstairs!!

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Eve oh Christmas Eve how wonderful you are!

We have had a picture perfect day.  I cleaned, and Luke, Ashlyn and Pat did some squirrel hunting.  Then we went and gave out our Christmas goodies to all the neighbors, and played.  Today was about lots of playing.  Then we opened presents from each other.  It was just a wonderful day!  Upstairs is not as clean as I would like it to be for our Santa, but you know what. Who is going to remember that next year? No one but ME!

Luke said something really cute tonight, he sat up on the couch and said you know what mom?  I remember last year putting my trophies under the tree for Santa to see?  Isn't that just cute that he did that and remembered this year?

Oh these are so the times to remember and cherish!

Merry Christmas to all!

Jesus Christ is Born! Amen!



This was not a Christmas present, just wanted to include Ashlyn's new bed!




Aunt Nicole made these hats, one for Ashlyn and one for her baby doll!  So pretty!




Hunting with Dad on Christmas Eve a new tradition.





Cookies for Santa!




Ashlyn cracked me up this year, she was talking to Luke with her eyes!
  It was code for we are going to have fun with this one!




Silly kids they are trashcans, not hats!





Do Reindeer talk?  Santa's reply was Yes.



Thanks to Miss. Stephanie our neighbor who works for the DNR, Reindeer love green beans.  And they make them
fly super fast!  I had to keep filling up the glass because Luke and Ashlyn kept eating them.
Daddy was helping them sign their name to the note to Santa about the Reindeer talking!



~On the ??? Day of Christmas~~

I got a little off track.  All I know is it is 4 days until Christmas!  Where did the time go????

Week-end before Christmas and all through the house!!

The week-end before Christmas is always fun. We were a little busy as usual. It was super fun however.

Friday night, I made my Pea Salad and Mac-n-Cheese for the Ryan Christmas.

Saturday we woke up and went to Luke’s Basketball game. It was super fun! Ben was not feeling well so about half way through the game his mom pulled him and took him home. Luke and Osha got lots of play time/practice. They were hilariously good. Lots of wonderful mishaps. Luke takes a while to dribble down the court so he usually throws the ball in and Osha or Ben take it down court. Well the Coach wanted Luke to get some practice taking the ball down the court and Osha is lightening fast so she would be right up on Luke incase he needed to throw the ball to her. Luke would do great getting it to half court. Coach taught him to dribble to half court frontwards and then when he gets half court turn around and dribble backwards. It is so funny to watch Luke. He will see the white line and will turn around and start dribbling backwards. It is like he is in SLOW MOTION, but he takes his time and if he gets in trouble will pass the ball to his team mates, but this time he made it down to try for 4 shots and made 1. As I mentioned Baseball is my sport of choice for Luke and Ashlyn however Basketball is growing on me.

After the game we headed to the Women’s Club and had the Ryan Christmas. It was so very nice to see everyone and after a wonderful meal, and story time with MeMaw everyone told what they wanted for Christmas even the adult. Santa made a surprise visit, complete with presents for all the kids. Mattie really tripped me out, she was just aw struck and amazed that Santa had a gift for everyone and knew each other’s name. Santa read the kids a book and Gavin was just precious. He had Twas the Night before Christmas at his house and he wanted to point out every picture for Santa, and a few times said that is Me! Bryce was so happy to see Santa! Ashlyn did not want to see Santa but when he pulled a gift out for her, she was happy to walk up and get it. It was so great to see the excitement on the kids face! They were very surprised!!! Such a wonderful time MeMaw and PawPaw!

After the Ryan Christmas party we traveled to Marion. Arrived in Marion at 5:00 PM and had supper at the Hess home with Granddaddy Brown. We played and laughed, ate and baked cookies then laughed some more. Our cheeks hurt from laughing so much. Mom came and picked all four grandbabies up so the Adults could laugh and talk some more. She put them all to bed for us. Such a good Grammy. We got to moms a little after 1 AM to sleep.

 

The kids woke up bright and early! None of the adults were ready, but oh the kids were so ready. They kept asking if they could open presents. We had grits and hot coco and made present piles to help keep them busy until everyone arrived a little after 9. The presents were opened quickly and we had a nice breakfast cooked by the men! We headed home around lunch time Sunday, and our entire family took a 3 hour nap.

Pat took Luke to spend the night with Papa Boozer and Dang’s since school is closed for the next two weeks. I think we are all very tired but very happy. It was a magical and fun time with family this week-end!! I will be posting pictures. I am going to try to condense them. I only took 147 pictures this week-end!!

~On the 5th day of Christmas~

Half Day of Work!

Wednesday was Luke's play at school.  I picked up Ashlyn and we headed over to Springdale Elementary for Luke's play.  It was wonderful, just wonderful.  The kids did great.  Luke was so funny.  He was the only kid that kept his hands in his pockets.  He said "Mom I knew all the moves just did not want to do them".   That boy!  At least he performed, one little girl sat at the bottom of the steps and when the dad went to check on her she just fell apart crying.  He had to carry her out the door.  I forgot my camera and borrowed one from work which did not work so well.  So I don't have any pictures, I am going to email some of the other moms and see if they snagged some pictures that are better than mine. 

After Luke's play we went to the car wash.  Who knew this would be a highlight to the kids week?  They giggled and laughed and just loved it.  We noticed when we got home that the car wash, washed off our basketball and soccer magnets.  (I swong by the next day to school and found one).

Once we finished the car wash we headed home.  I had planned on going shopping but it was so pretty outside I just had to let the kids go home and play.  We played outside for a couple of hours.  I painted Ashlyn's bed rails, hopefully it will be ready to go up sometime this week-end or next.

We made smores in the oven and they were yummy!  I really want to try to do more half days with the kids like that.  It was fun.  I got a half day of work in and a half day of play in. 

~4th Day of Christmas~

On the 4th day of Christmas Luke and Ashlyn gave to me....

• A Orange Karate Belt from Luke
• A  can I have more cheese please from Ashlyn.  (All she wants is Cheese!  I am giving her Applesause with it to balance it out some.  hehehehehe)

Merry Christmas!

I told you we did it.  However I know that some of you reading this did not get a Christmas Card and I am sorry.  I wanted to send out 100 or so more, but had to cut it off at some point.  So here is a copy for you!

Merry Christmas from our entertaining full of life family!  Not a day goes by that these kids don't do something funny!  So I wanted our card to be as silly and funny as them!

Luke 2; 2:11 - For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

This makes me happy in so many ways! 

~3rd Day of Christmas~

On the 3rd Day of Christmas Luke and Ashlyn gave to me....

• Luke's school Play, that Ashlyn and I are going to see. So it is a half day of work and school for us.
• I feel like I am playing musical chairs with my kids since Luke is out of school the next two weeks.
• Santa needs to get stocking stuffers.
• I have a few more gifts to get.
• Oh I need about 24 more days.

~2nd Day of Christmas~

On the 2nd day of Christmas Luke and Ashlyn gave to me........

• A good night sleep.
• Can we have Candy and Christmas Tea for Breakfast??
• lots of car singing after crying for crackers 
• pick us up early please before DARK.
• What's for supper?

~1st Day of Christmas~

On the 1st day of Christmas, Luke and Ashlyn gave to me….. a hard time getting dressed, basketball practice and Rails for Ashlyn bed please.

• Need to remember to give Ashlyn her meds.

• Both kids took their tape measure to school.

• Luke woke me up at 11:30 PM last night because the hall light was off. (So I am exhausted)

• Ashlyn did not eat her pancakes again, but ate Strawberries and Oranges for breakfast.

• We sang Christmas songs on the way to school.

Gave our teachers their gifts!

Saturday 12/10/11

What in the world has gotten into me today?!?! Woke up at 5:45, stayed in bed until 6:30 set my little early riser Luke up with a movie.  Fixed a cup of coffee, and started painting the room upstairs.  Was wrappying that up at 8:00.  Got dressed quickly.  Made it to Luke's game by 8:45.  Almost missed pictures.  Ooops.  Then after Luke's game which was WONDERFUL!  I headed to TJMaxx for a couple of hours of shopping. Then I stopped by and picked up a bed I bought for Luke.  Came home, got dressed for a movie.  Pat, Luke, Ashlyn and I hit the road and arrived at the movies at 2:10 and missed all the previews.  Watched Authur Christmas.  Then headed to an early supper.  Went to Once Upon a Child and Lowes' for more paint supplies and back home.  Got the kids in the bath.  Wrapped Christmas Presents.  Now I am tired and ready to do it all again tomorrow after some good old sleep!

Christmas Cards!

I had not planned on sending out Christmas Cards this year, but after getting a few I just knew I had to do it.  So be patient. 1/2 the cards went out yesterday and the other 1/2 will go out tomorrow!

Ashlyn's Concert

For 2 years now Ashlyn has wanted to sing at Grace,  up on the stage!!  She got sick this week-end and I really was not sure it was going to happen.  I kept thinking oh please let her feel good enough to sing.  So after a busy day with dad at the doctor, and Luke at the Holiday Market.  We finally made it to Ashlyn's school for her play. She was not 100% but she did feel good enough to sing and sing she did. She surprised me so very much.  I told her to sing with all her heart because I wanted to hear her over everyone else.  She did!!!!  You could tell she was singing for sure!  We are so proud of her and thank God she was felling well enough to finally be able to sing in big church!