Getting back on the horse

I was sick for the past few days, so I didn't do the treadmill for a few days. Man, could I tell today - I did 15 minutes and about fell off the thing! I did do level 10 incline for 10 minutes, so that was good, I guess. I am definitely going to do it again tomorrow and hopefully it will be a bit easier.

Welcome Home Joshie!!!!!

Josh came home last night after serving our country in Iraq, Qutar (I think I spelled that wrong) and a few other places. I am so proud of him and we are blessed that he came home safely - so many other families do not have that blessing! In this picture he is hugging cousing Jonathan...you can also see Edna (aka Mama Jean) grinning in the background. I love that woman!

couch to 5K whooped my butt!

I am so incredibly out of shape it is not even funny! I did the first day of couch to 5K (thanks for telling me about it Kelly!) and it completely wore me out. In all, I probably ran a little less than a mile (I set my speed between 5.0 and 6.0 depending on my ability to BREATHE...)

I know the program says to do it every other day (or something like 3 days a week) but I am going to try and do it at least 5 days a week. I have my skinny pictures hanging on the picture directly in front of my treadmill. Hopefully they will keep me motivated. Now, excuse me while I go pass out....

Ready, Ready, Ready, Ready to Run......

Okay, well, not quite. But I did manage to run about 1/2 mile before feeling like I was going to collapse. Of course, I could have probably kept going if I didn't have to keep talking to Arwen as she busted in and out of our room. Man, talking uses alot more air than I thought!

one inch...

After using the treadmill one week, I have lost exactly one inch....that is it....what happened to the major transformation that was supposed to instantly take place???? The one inch I lost was in my waist - and honestly, I am not even sure I measured in the same spot I did last time. Oh well, one is better than none - I am going to keep on truckin!

I did find some old pictures of me when I was smaller as inspiration that I have placed right in front of the treadmill - maybe that will keep me motivated.

BTW - tomorrow is my wedding anniversary - 5 years going on forever!!!!

bye bye binks and big boy bed!

Arwen went to the dentist today. Long story short, she wouldn't let them take x-rays (which we really needed), but she did let cousin Amanda polish her teeth. She also took her binks in a ziploc bag to give to the dentist (her idea!) She was so excited...until tonight when she realized she didn't have them anymore.

She never really cried, but she did get teary eyed some and even went to Gabe's room to get one :(. She put it back then fell asleep with little fight. Please wish me luck tonight.

Gabe is also in his big-boy bed tonight for the first time. I really did NOT want to put him in a bed yet (I loved having him in the crib because he would just sit there and watch tv while I got ready for work) but it was getting too hard lifting his fat hiney over the rail at night.

Day 6

Well, after a few days off, I got back on the treadmill last night and did 25 minutes - half of which were at an incline 10. It really whooped my butt, but I felt good afterwards. I even managed to do some crunches on the 1/2 ball afterwards (and man did I feel it). I am sure my abs are in there somewhere, right? (cue sarcastic look now....)

Days 4 and 5

I took yesterday off because we got up at 8:00 and painted the deck for about 4 hours - I thought that was one heck of a workout. Today does not look good either...I have had a migraine ALL DAY. I know, excuses, excuses....but man, I feel like my eyeball is going to fall out.

Side note - Gabe finally cut his last two teeth (the ones that are on both sides of the four front teeth - I have NO idea what they are called) but that is all of them now! Wow, how exciting!

Day 3

I did the treadmill today for 30 minutes. I even bumped up the incline to level 10 for about 10 minutes (I didn't say they were all at one time, but I think the time did add up to about 10 minutes). I did not run tonight though.

Instead of working out to the tv I decided to plug in my MP3 player and walk to some of the wonderful older songs that I listened to when I first lost all of my weight (somewhere around 7 years ago when I got down to about 151 or so....ooooh, those were the days). I guess I feel that the music would motivate me. It did, somewhat, until I got a glimpse in the mirror and saw my reflection looking back at me...blah.

day 2

So far so good! I did the treadmill for 30 more minutes today, and actually attempted to run (keyword: attempted.) I made a deal with myself that I would run on commercials and then walk during the show (I worked out to Frasier - not exactly something that would make Tony Little or Jane Fonda proud, but WTH).

I did make it through running the first or second commercial of each set. It really makes me mad because I used to LOVE running and used to run at least 2 and sometimes more miles a day (of course, this was before kids when I was a size 8 or 10). Oh well. I am getting ready to measure myself (this might take a WHILE).

Big fat fatty

I just realized today that I have not updated things in nearly a month. I think my recent obsession with Facebook may have something to do with that. Perry bought me a treadmill (hold on ladies, I asked for it...heh.) I am tinkering with the idea of posting my stats (inches), weight and even a fatty picture to show everyone what I am currently and to track my progress (for those who care.) My thought behind this is that I may be more likely to stick with it if I have embarassed myself and shared this information with everyone. For my few friends and visitors out there who read this, what do you think?

By the day, today is day one - I did the treadmill for 30 minutes! (Rock on!)

Elmo

Here is Arwen at intermission - we left shortly after. Poor baby. Daddy looks thrilled, too!

We went to Elmo last weekend. Here are few of the BEFORE/AFTER pics :).

Seven Pounds...

The name of a new Will Smith movie AND how much weight I have lost since I started working out two weeks ago. =)

Me and my boy!

FOOTLOOSE part 2

I heard myself yelling "don't touch her, Arwen - don't touch her!" at the end of the last video - Bad mama! So you won't think I am horrible I will tell you why - Cousin Caroline has just started walking - GO CAROLINE!!! Arwen wanted to dance with Caroline but of course, I didn't want her to knock the poor kid over!

Here is one with Arwen dancing in it - just so you won't think I didn't want her to dance! I think I was just so excited about Gabe shaking his hips like ELVIS I got a bit caught up in the moment.

Gabe is still center focus in the video, but you can definitely see Arwen shakin' it too!

Gabe Dancing

Footloose

Gabe LOVES the song Footloose. We noticed it a few months back when we were watching the movie. When the song came on he stopped everything and started shaking it. How lucky was I today when it came on the radio at cousin Caroline's birthday party! Here is a little sample of the 5 or 6 videos mama took:

Gabe Footloose

One more thing...

Also, Gabe is talking up a storm now! He is saying hi, bye, Yaya (Arwen), mama, dadee, more (signs it too), eat eat, hot, cheese (just said that the first time tonight - I had the camera and I told him to say "cheese" and he DID!), bubbles, bath, night night, papa, nana, hemaw, car, juice, ball. I think those are the majority of them, but I really feel I am leaving something else out.

His back two teeth are also coming in on top. He has two knots on the bottom so hopefully they will come in soon.

That is about it. I have a video of him saying cheese that I will try and post tomorrow.

Rest in Peace...

I had to throw away Arwen's last pink and purple "bink." Perry told me he smelled something "foul" and we could not figure out what in the world it was. When I went to put her in her bed and kiss her goodnight....OH.MY.GOODNESS. The smell, or funk I should say, was HORRIBLE.

Please bow your head for a moment of silence.

Cue Taps...

Vasoline

I woke up late yesterday morning after a horrible night with Gabe and Arwen. In fact, Arwen never went back to sleep after about 3:00am. When my alarm went off I told her, "Do not get out of bed." When I got out of the shower, I looked in the bed and of course she was not there. I heard laughing, so I knew she was in Gabe's room. What I didn't know is that she was smearing herself and the poor kid in VASOLINE. When I made my way in there, this is what I found...




What makes Gabe's picture priceless is the green boogie hanging ever so slightly out of his nose. heh.


I am still trying to wash it out - the vasoline, not the boogie.

SUPERSTAR!

My children LOVE LOVE LOVE the movie Superstar (and yes, I know it is not highly appropriate for children but there are AWESOME dance scenes.) Below is a clip of my children BREAKING IT DOWN to one of the dance scenes. If you look closely at the tv, you will see the people dancing. If you look at Arwen, she is attempting to do the same movements. I laughed until I practically PEED on myself. Be sure to watch Gabe too - he danced until he fell!

Carolina and DOOK

Did I mention how much I LOVE Carolina and DOOK games...or how much I HATE them with every fiber of my being????

Oh, what a mixture of emotions...

(cue Tar Heel fight song here)

My First _______

1. Who was your FIRST prom date?
Curtis - can you say LOSER?

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?
everyday - I am married to him!

3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink?
I think it was natural light mixed in sunny delight - yuck

4. What was your FIRST job?
Afterthoughts piercing ears

5. What was your FIRST car?
1985 Firebird - BIGBIRD - RIP!

6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today?
none today

7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning?
myself and how I didn't sleep well

8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher?
Mrs. Lockhart

9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane?
Florida to see Garth Brooks with Jen and Krissy!

10. Who was your FIRST best friend and are you still friends with them?
Cathy Williams, and no - haven't seen her in a while

11. What was your FIRST sport played?
softball

12. Where was your FIRST sleep over?
at my house I am sure - I had slumber parties all the time with my cousins, friends, whoever - mom was very PATIENT :)

13. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today?
Arwen

14. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time?
Sary's

15. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning?
Get up and go to Wal-mart

16. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to?
NKOTB Baby!!!!!!

17. FIRST tattoo or piercing?
Piercing - Ears, Tattoo - sun on my shoulder

18. FIRST foreign country you went to?
Mexico - Cozumel

19. What was your FIRST run in with the law?
When I got pulled for not wearing my seatbelt (funny part is, I WAS!)

20. When was your FIRST detention?
I don't think i ever had it!

21. What was the FIRST state you lived in?
NC

22. Who was the FIRST person to break your heart?
Some loser I knew a LONG time ago

23. Who was your FIRST roommate?
April - yuck - might as well be Laura and Kelly since I practically LIVED in their room freshman year!

24. Where did you go on your FIRST limmo ride?
to the NKOTB concert, baby!!!

25.Who will be the FIRST to repost this?
I am tagging the usual crew if they are up to it.

random pics

Here are a few random pics!

Gabe with Arwen's hot pink horn



Arwen's new haircut



Arwen and her new easel - she can write her name!



Gabe, eating the eraser - hehehe

Where is Gabe?

This happened a few days ago - I let Gabe out of my sight for about 1 1/2 minutes to put some clothes in the dryer. When I came out, I couldn't find him. I walked into my closet (which thank GOODNESS I just cleaned out a few weeks before) and heard laughing. I saw this...



Notice the little white "foot" at the bottom. I called his name and he stuck his head out...



He said, "HEY!"

How cute is that????

Snow Bunnies!

My kids had me outside at 8:00am this morning to play in the snow. This was Arwen's first real snow (except for a few flakes when she was about 1 year old). It was Gabe's first snow ever. They both had a ball! Gabe kept running around saying, "no...no...meow...meow...woof..." - I guess a combination of the snow and the dogs outside set him into overdrive. heh.



Arwen loved letting the snow fall on her tongue.



She wanted to make a snowman and snow angel, but I told her we had to wait until a bit more was on the ground. I guess that picture is to come!

Erika, if you are reading this, I know it is NOTHING compared to the avalanches you get hehehe, but it is a good start here down south! :)

Colds suck

Both Arwen and Gabe have a cough...due to cold...That's all I have to say about that.

Random Survey

I had a few extra minutes so, why not? I am sending a shout-out to Kelly, Sary and Erika - put down the babies and take 5 so I can know what's going on with you!

LASTS:

Last beverage → milk


Last phone call → my mom


Last instant message → no im

Last person that you hit→ Perry, probably :)

Last song you listened to → Some old rock song Perry was listening to.

Last time you cried→ last week

Last person you talked to→ Perry

HAVE YOU EVER:
Dated someone twice→ yes

Been cheated on → yes

Kissed someone & regreted it → yes

Lost someone special→ yes :(

LIST THREE FAVORITE COLORS:
Carolina Blue, Pink, Black

IN THE PAST MONTH HAVE YOU:
Fallen in love → everyday

Laugh until you cried→ yep

Met someone who changed your life → not this month

Found out who your true friends were → yes

Found out someone was talking about you → no, but I am sure some do

How many kids do you want to have → two and I have already got 'em.

Do you have any pets → 2 dogs here and one step-sister dog at mama's.

What did you do for your last birthday → wow - how sad, but I can't really remember.

What time did you wake up today? → 4:45! Gabe got up mega early

What were you doing at midnight last night? → sleeping

Last time you saw your father → Yeah, we won't even go there...I think it was in 2001

What's one thing you wish you could change → there are so many...

Have you ever talked to a person named Tom → sure

Whats getting on your nerves right now → nothing, surprisingly!

What's your real name → Zulu, queen of the dwarf people (Oh wait..that was Sofia on Golden Girls) hehe.

Zodiac sign → Virgo

Hair color → Ronald McDonald orange these days


Long or short → too short


Are you health freak → have you seen me lately?

What do you like about yourself → my open-mindedness

Tattoos → one

Righty or lefty → i'm right handed.

FIRSTS :
First surgery → wisdom teeth

First piercing → my ears.

First best friend → my cousins

First pet → dog, I think his name was Duke?

First vacation → Kings Dominion

CURRENTLY :
Eating → nothing.

Drinking → nothing.

YOUR FUTURE :
Want kids? → Already got two beautiful kids!

Want to get married? → been there, done that, still am!

Careers in mind? → Yep - I have a very rewarding job working with children and families.


HAVE YOU EVER :
Kissed a stranger → yes.

Lost glasses/contacts → no

Ran away from home → tried to when i was about 8 or 9 - Mitchell and a friend were mean to me so I packed up my Elvis record in my purple backpack and hit the road. (Don't ask me how I was going to play it because I sure didn't have a record player with me!)

Broken someones heart → Don't think so

Been arrested → no.

Turned someone down → yes.

Cried when someone died → Lordy yes

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
Yourself → most of the time.

Miracles → yes.

Love at first sight → yes

Heaven → yes

Santa Claus → yes

Angels → yes


ANSWER TRUTHFULLY :
Is there one person you want to be with right now? → yes, she is with her Hemaw

Had more than one boyfriend/girlfriend at one time → yes

Say what?

I haven't signed on to brag on my children in a while, so here goes...

Gabe is able to say several words now! He can now say mama, daddy, more (he can even sign more!), uh-oh, and his newest word is baby! He is so incredibly cute.

Arwen is almost completely writing her name now - except she still insists on writing her "w" as a "m" - I know that it is fine for her to do that, but it still makes me wonder why she does that - especially since she knows "m" and "w"...oh well.

Other than that, things are pretty calm for now. I end this class on Monday and start another class on Tuesday...at least I will be in there with one of my previous teammates and new friends - that will make it much better than the previous few!

What?!?!

I have been in school working on my Master's in Early Childhood Education for almost a year. In that time, I have made all A's in my core courses. The only B I have made was in some little intro course on APA formatting that revolved heavily on teamwork.

I am in a course now that also focuses on APA formatting (the prep. course to my thesis) and I am struggling to keep my head above water! What in the world is going on???

So evidently, I am well on my way to "mastering" the early childhood course, but the very basic ones are giving me fits????

hummmmmmmm....that one will make you think.......