What We've Been Up To Since My Last Post

Okay, it's been over a week since my last post and I can't believe how fast it has gone by!!! We've been very busy though! Let me just give you a run down. First, we went to see Baby Kate.



I went to dinner with friends. And we just did our basic things to get through the day! Taking baths, brushing teeth, you know...the regular drill.



We made a trip to the doctor. Gracie had another ear infection.



We played outside a lot!!!! It was warm some of the time! As you can see we made a run by Sonic. Gracie loves the ice there.

Got me a new camera strap. I wanted one that was a little more springy. I know this strap could go either way (spring or fall), but the main reason I chose it was because Emily had an outfit made out of the same material.

I kind of feel like Scarlett O'Hara with her dress made out of the curtains! I can assure you the strap was not made from Emily's outfit. I got it at cottoncandybynatalie.etsy.com.

We went shopping two days in a row! I was so happy that I finally found me a few dresses! The first day we went shopping it was just me and the girls and we had the best day!!! Everyone was so happy and content! But on the second day, it was kind of the anti-best day. My mother went with me and I know she was worn slap out after helping me with the girls(who were no longer happy and content). I'm just happy to spend some time with my mom, so even thought it was crazy, I had a good time.

We played outside some more. It's amazing how the weather changes from day to day!!! We are ready for the warm weather to get here and stay!!!

We cooked a little supper. Emily actually cooked it! All I did was brown the hamburger. I must say, Emily and I had the best conversations yesterday. I wish I could have recorded everything she said! And Gracie did the sweetest thing at the table last night. We kind of ate in shifts last night, but at some point we were all at the table at the same time. Gracie stuck out her hand and asked for my hand. When she took my hand, she bowed her head, jibber jabbered, and then said "Amen". She did that several times. It was just the sweetest thing!

I also did a little exercising! And I didn't post this last Thursday, but I lost 2.4 lbs! So I've lost right at 9 lbs!! Now only 16 more to go!!!

Thanks for letting me catch up! I always feel like I'm running behind!! Now to get ready for April 15th!!! UGH!!!!

Got the Monday Blues

Why so blue? Well...#1 I'm freezing to death!!! I'm telling ya, it's cold around here. And if your cold, you turn blue right? The second reason is because of this wonderful historic health care bill our lovely government has passed for us (what is lost in translation is the sarcastic tone in which I type this. Not happy at all about it, but more of that on another day). Other than that, we had a pretty good day around here.

I started off the day by rearranging Emily's room. I'm always worried when I do things like that because she is such a creature of habit and you really never know if she'll be happy with the change. No need to worry though. She was all smiles when she saw it.






I didn't go weigh in tonight (which makes me sound like the Heavy Weight Champion of the World..you know like in boxing). I have decided to go to a daytime meeting. I think it will probably work out better for me, and actually us. The kids are ready for supper around that time and Chris is usually just coming in the door as I have to leave, so I think daytime will work much better. I almost slipped up though. I thought the first morning meeting was on Tuesday mornings. Well, something told me I better check the time and I'm sure glad I did! The morning meetings are actually Thursday! I would not have been happy sitting in the parking lot with two kids wondering when they were going to start the meeting. Plus, if I weigh in the late afternoon, I feel like I can't eat anything all day. And that's not good at all! So I'll let you know Thursday if I've lost anything. I will pat myself on the back...I'm up to 45 minutes on the elliptical machine. Yea for me!

Tonight we moved Gracie to the big table with the rest of the family. It was so nice to have the whole family in such a nice tight circle around the dinner table. We already hear some wonderful stories from Emily and I can't wait to hear some from Gracie. She does give it her best effort though. She just jabbers and jabbers, and when you say "really", she says "yeah". It's so funny!

After we finished supper, Chris kept the girls busy while I cleaned the kitchen. As you can see, he was lovin' every minute of it!!

I hope you didn't have the Monday blues! If so, hold that head high and .."Snap out of it"!

Weekend Rewind

Friday started with beautiful weather. Although it was the day before spring, the girls were dressed for summer!! It was just perfect weather. My mother called Friday morning and asked if Emily could come over and help her in the yard. Emily was all over that, so I met mother. Gracie came home to take a nap and when she woke up we headed outside.

Friday night, I met my best high school buddy at a restaurant in my home town. I know I'm on a diet, but there was just nothing on the menu that was diet. I ordered a salad, and let me tell you, it was one of the best salads I have ever had!!! Totally in the top three. First, would be J. Alexander's Grilled Chicken Salad. Second, would be Ruth's Chris Chop Salad, and third would the the salad I had Friday. (I would tell you the name of the restaurant but it's locally owned. I like to be vague on exactly where I'm from just in case there are any crazies that read this blog. If you know me, just send me an email and I'll let you know the name of the place. )

This is my friend Jamee. Isn't she pretty! I took a picture of the both of us, but I looked like I was storing nuts in my cheeks for the winter, so as you can see, I didn't post that one!



Emily ended up spending the night with mother, so it was just me and Gracie on Saturday morning. Gracie has decided that she wants to feed herself. I know it's a natural thing and a milestone that she has hit right on time, but I must say I'm not fired up about the idea. I know they have to learn, but it's just a total mess! A mess that I'm just going to have to deal with it.



Chris parents called and wanted Emily and Gracie to come to their house for the afternoon. So I had a free day that I didn't plan on. I decided to go look for an Easter dress. Let me just say that I didn't have any luck. How can our mall have so much stuff not worth buying! It's hard to find a dress that "classy" and age appropriate. And to get one that fits me....to quote Delta Burke "Looks like it was made at Georgia Tent and Awning"! So needless to say, the shopping trip was not the best.

After a very strange day and a very busy weekend, all my little chickens are back under one roof and I'm very glad about that! Emily and Gracie seemed to be happy to see each other again. And it's turned into winter!! Now it's freezing outside!!!!




Oh well! Another week to begin tomorrow! Later all!

Gracie's New Thing

Gracie is infatuated with Emily's "big girl" bed. Here lately she's gotten to where she'll quietly sneak into Emily's room and crawl up in the bed. When I go to find her she's either playing with something, reading a book, or saying "jump" (which is her favorite thing to do). Over the past couple of days I've snapped a few pictures.

I hope everyone has a good weekend. The weather where we are is going to be beautiful!!! I hope it is where you are!

What We've Been Up To These Days

Other than going to see Baby Kate and eating with a few friends, we've been up to a whole lot of nothing. Emily has been out of school this week for Spring Break, so we've kind of had the week to do what ever we want. Which like I said....was not much of anything. We just kind of fly-by- the-seat of our pants when it comes to our daily routine.

We had a little craft time. Emily likes to make masks to wear. How do you like her dress? We bought it at the Thrift Store for her to play in and she always wants to wear it out and about. Well, lets just say I win that argument.



Gracie was giving Emily her "mean" face because she wasn't sharing the crayons very well. Gracie will point and say "cray".



She got over it pretty fast!



Gracie yells "wa" every time I get a drink so I finally just gave in and got me another cup. We all were happier after that!



We had a little makeup time. Emily loves to use the eyeshadow!

Okay, Chris and I have been watching Clean House on the Style Network. They had this special on the messiest house in America. Man, there are some days I feel like they are talking about my house! But let me tell you I don't have ANYTHING on these people! Look at the picture below! This was the basement of the messiest house and they could barely walk around down there!!! The upstairs looked just as bad! They rented a 7000 sq. ft. building (that's a guess on the size, but I know it was somewhere close) to have the yard sale in! They made $17,000 at this yard sale! Can you believe it!

This is the before

This is the after!

Well, the point I'm trying to make with all this is that we have too much stuff! Stuff that we don't even use! So today I cleaned out a few closets and the bathroom cabinets. Everything is nice and organized (at least on my side of the closet, but I won't EVEN go there)! But the hardest part was keeping the kids entertained while I cleaned. Emily was a big help. She helped me sort out makeup that I never wear, and she really racked up with some new makeup to play with.

Gracie had to be put in "baby jail", as Emily calls it. There was just no possible way to have all my stuff everywhere and Gracie not to make it worse. I gave her a sucker and turned on The Wiggles and all was well until I gathered everything back up. That is until she tried to get in Em's new makeup stash, and lets just say it wasn't pretty!

Oh well, more cleaning to come. I try to pace myself. HaHa!

Dinner with Friends

Last night, Chris and I got to do something we haven't done in a long time. Almost 2 years to be exact! We went to eat with our good friends, and old neighbors, Andy and Stephanie. We all couldn't believe it had been that long! The first thing we said when we moved to our new house was that we were going to stay in touch....and we have by phone, but Andy and Steph having a school aged child changed everything! There's always baseball, football, or basketball to compete with and there are just not enough days in a week to do it all. Our day is coming soon! That's why we were looking so forward to seeing them. It's just been too long!

They were the best neighbors!!! One time Chris was having to work out of town and Andy mowed our grass (and I was so glad he did..it was looking bad). Another time I was out of toilet paper and I didn't want to go Walmart right then, so I borrowed a roll form them. Now that's a good friend! We talked about planning a trip together soon and I can't wait!

Okay, on another note, I'm not lovin' my hair! When I first got it cut, I did. But it grows so fast that it really won't keep the shape I want for long. I hate to say it but I think that I'm going to let it grow out again. You just can't beat a pony tail! Chris likes it long and big! I vowed never to have big hair again because to be honest, I held onto it the first time way longer than I should have.

Anyway, I hope y'all are having a good week! The weekend is almost here! I'm so ready for New Moon!

Baby Kate

Today we got to meet the newest member of our family, Kate. We were so excited because this little one has been on earth for three whole weeks and we have yet to meet her due to sickness. I had these big plans to dress her up and take all kinds of pictures of her, but the battery on my fancy shmancy camera went dead. Without any warning!!! That just drives me crazy!!!! All the bars that show me the battery is charged were there last night because I checked it. Oh well, this was the only picture I got to take, but we are going back very soon with a fully charged battery!!!

She is so sweet and little.....and might I add cute. Stay tuned to many more pictures of Miss Kate!!!

Ready to Eat!

I've got to go weigh at Weight Watchers and this is all I can think about doing!!!!!

Time passes real slow when you're hungry!!!! Wish me luck!!!

I Think I'm In Love!

I had to make a quick run to the mall this afternoon to get some lotion. Victoria's Secret has some new things in and I have found my all time favorite! I love it so much that you may smell me before you see me!!! It's called Coconut Passion. You need to stop by and smell it out!!!!




Have a good weekend!!!

Avery's Birthday

Emily and I have totally been hitting the "party scene" lately! The Birthday Party scene that is. It seems like we have had one to go to every weekend and we want to thank all those who have been thinking of Emily. She loves getting that invites in the mail.

Last weekend we had a break form the bouncy places when we were invited to Avery's party. Avery is the daughter of two of my college buddies, Jennifer and Jeff. Jennifer had it at Tootie Lou's. They let the girls play dress up and then they do their makeup and nails. That was right up Emily's ally!!!! Although she was a little shy at first, she was soon in the mix. She told me while they were doing her nails, "I love Avery's party". I wish so bad that they had a place in our town to do something like that. If so, Emily's party would be totally girlie! Well, we dare to dream! Maybe one will come along before June. If not, it's the ole bouncy place for us.

I can't believe Avery is 5! It seems just like yesterday she was a newborn that was screaming in my living room (And boy, that girl could cry louder than any baby I've ever seen)



Jennifer made this cake!! I know....it's ridiculous right! I gave her a hard time and asked her why she couldn't be normal and order a cake like everyone else does. HA HA! They are going to Disney World soon so she made the cake to look like Cinderella's Castle. It wasn't just pretty to look at, it tasted wonderful too! She is just the best cook. If I ever get rich, I'm going to hire her to do all my cooking.



Sydney use to be our neighbor and I hate that we moved before she and Emily could play together. They would have had so much fun playing in the neighborhood.

Emily about to make lip gloss.

Emily getting her makeup done.

Emily and Avery getting their nails done.

After everyone was ready, the girls lined up to do a fashion show. They asked Emily what her favorite food was and she said oatmeal. That just cracked me up! She changed her mind at the last minute and decided she didn't want to do the fashion show. That's okay. We enjoyed watching everyone else.

We had the best time and hope to go back there soon!