25 Pounds and Counting

Well, It's been six weeks since my surgery, and I've lost a total of 25 pounds! I have lost one of my chins, and am down to just one now! I just joined the BAC, and although it is really hard work I'm starting to feel better with working out! I knew I needed the accountability of working out somewhere other than home because I would cop out too easily. I'm hopin to have lost a total of 75 pounds by my sisters wedding in October. Fifty more pounds to go, and shedding the unhappy portion of me.

Flight 3407

I never thought a plane crash would hit so close to home, and I never thought it would literally hit so close to MY home. Just a mere five miles away from my house, just down the road from my old elementary school Flight 3407 crashed into a home I've seen a million times. Several of the people who lost their lives in that crash I went to high school with, and one in particular.

Jennifer Neill was a 34 year old woman who was 6-months pregnant with her first child...a boy. They both perished in this crash, and I remember her as a classmate that I spend two years sitting next to in band. She was so hillarious, and we were constantly fooling around in the days before I made my move to the Wind Ensemble. We got into trouble all the time, and it only made us laugh harder. She helped me to have fun during a time that music was very stressful/disappointing for me.

You never know how you are going to effect someone, and touch the lives of those you come in contact with. My thoughts, and prayers are with every person affected by this tragedy.

New Year...New Me!

Well I only have five days before I start a brand new journey into looking, and feeling better! I'll be having the Lap-Band on Monday, and although I'm a bit nervous I am super excited! I think this will give me a new outlook on my life, and a healthier existance for my family. It's definitely not a cure all, or a magic pill, but is a tool to assist me in my weight loss goals. Anyone who knows me knows that I have struggled with my weight for many years, and have been very supportive in my journey!
Here we go, and here is hopefully the last picture of me at this size. Out with the old, and in with the new!

A Caveat To Parents Everywhere!

Any other frustrated parents out there trying to get that perfect holiday card photo? Ethan and Aidan had to be separated countless times to avoid bloodshed, and so I decided to take their pictures separately, try to get a decent smile, and then paste them on their bodies from a picture taken outside. This picture is the result, and all I can say is super scary, and totally hillarious!

Leave the head swapping to the professionals!

Merry Christmakuanzaka?

FESTIVUS! Who knew Mr. Costanza from Seinfield would be so right on?

I am the room mom for my son Ethan's kindergarten class, and am currently planning the "holiday party". I originally planned a Polar Express party with laminated tickets I made myself, video, book, a coloring book with trains, and the cutest craft to make a train out of marshmallow. Sounds great right? Wrong. It's not ambiguous enough. I'm thinking what could be safer than trains? Oh no...can't refer to Santa.

When I was a kid it was the big no-no to mention the true reason we celebrate Christmas...Jesus. Now we can't even reference a fat guy in a red suit...seriously.

Ok, I get it...we have to be all-inclusive, and multicultural...too bad they don't make a book on that. So now we have to do snowmen...luckily I have a untapped creativity, but it's hard to walk on eggshells with winter boots on:)

Well, as for me and my house...we have the manger scene up, the Christmas tree, and will be reading Matthew 1:18-25 on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate HIM

The Sunshine of My Life

This is a drawing Ethan drew for me of us playing outside in the sunshine with love between us. I love Ethan's mowhawk, and I think I might bring his hairstyling for me to my stylist this week! These little drawings give me a glimpse of his little heart, and the message is so simple.

Welcome to Fall

This is the view I have from my front porch, and it reminds me that fall has arrived! Watching the leaves change reminds me that we are able to also shed habits in favor of new ones, and to start some things anew. This beautiful warm weather, and changing colors makes me feel a sense of renewal. Cheers to Fall!