A Work In Progress

So I've been trying to find motivation. You know, "will power...the power to will away temptation! Tempation sold separately. Batteries Not Included!" Those are lines from an old DC Talk rap song. In the absense of said motivation, I have been doing what I want and eating what I want. So about four days ago, I decided to just start cutting back and keeping a food journal with a friend. I'm waiting to see how my metabolism responds to the lack of high calorie, high fat foods. If I can't see a result pretty quickly, I may look into some sort of fat burner. I'm not really all that into putting medications into my body, but I am into finding myself under all of this baby fat!

Please Pray!!

Hank just called me. He told me that they are laying off at the station. We need his job. Please pray. God is in control. I was gonna put a but on that sentence, but I like it better just like that. God is in control.

Mini Honeymoons!

Hank and I are actually getting to coach volleyball together this season. He is being my assistant and I am loving every minute of it! Everything from bossing him around, knowing more about the sport than he does, and getting to spend more time with him than normal is so so very nice!

Another fun aspect of the volleyball season is that we will be going on out-of-town tournament trips. It's gonna be fun, I'm thinking! You know, little mini honeymoons with volleyball thrown in.

I know there won't be tons of free time, but we will get to ride to and from together, eat out alone, and even have some limited free time together. I love that!

I mean it's not on the same line as maybe taking a couple of Vegas vacations, but I think it's time invested in our marriage and therefore, the best vacation of all!

Not Pink

My little princess is so much fun to dress and fix up! Who knew that having a girl could be so, so much fun! I love to find her new, interesting, and attention grabbing outfits (in a good way!). There is a website that I never knew existed until now! They carry a brand called catimini that I have discovered is absurdly cute! Just look at that!! I love everything from the color... you know, 'not pink!'... to the cute and style. It's so adorable and I know that Sophie girl would look irresistible in it! Sophie has a lot of cute stuff in her closet, but I'm always on the lookout for new 'looks' for her. She loves shoes... her mom loves clothes. We make a perfectly outfitted pair!

Sidetracked... yeah... just slightly

The holidays and surgery slowed me down a bit, but I'm just about back to normal! Thank goodness! I have some Christmas pictures to share. I put them in a slideshow format, so I'll post them later!

This is a VERY VERY late Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I got some fun stuff this year!

Do It Yourselfers

Not long ago, Hank and I decided to invest in a new tv stand for our downstairs office/media room/toy room. We wanted to streamline all of the gaming systems, DVD players, and Satellite boxes. I went on a shopping trip with my sister and a friend and found just what we needed at a great price. We had to assemble it ourselves, but it was well worth it in my opinion. I can't tell you how much neater it feels now that everything is off of the ground and wires aren't hanging down the wall and lying on the rug.

This was a simple solution to one of our home improvement projects. This particular room needs a lot of help. It needs updated fans and fixtures. It needs new flooring. And we plan to add a bathroom down there as well to make it a fully functioning part of our home.

I never thought I would be so very excited about home improvement projects, but I love seeing where we started and where we end.

Love, True Love

My own personal history lacks a lot of the sweeping romantic gestures that make up a lot of our social background. I didn't get the grand declaration of love... instead I got a man who was struggling to trust himself enough to love me. I didn't get a typical down-on-your-knee proposal either. Instead, I gave him a positive pregnancy test. We didn't get to shop for engagement rings or plan elaborate weddings. Once we decided to take the plunge, we set off on a whirlwind of wedding planning that culminated two months later in a small, intimate, and heart felt start to our life and our family.

Sometimes I catch the looks that other women cast my way when they talk about hot air balloon rides that led to proposals... and candle lit dinners on a gazebo that sits in the middle of a lake... or even a proposal made publically in front of a church congregation. I see them, but I just smile. My life and the way it has unfolded is all right with me. I love it. I love my husband and the family that we have created together. A true partnership and trust. Nothing holds a candle to that.

After Christmas, maybe...

Well, I meant to do it, but I didn't. I could say that about a lot of different things in my life. However the particular thing I'm talking about is getting a Bluetooth headset for my husband for Christmas. I never saw a deal that blew me away... and if you know me, you know that it's all about the deal!!

So I'm still on the lookout.

I remember this particular email that a friend of mine sent to me with some really, really graphic pictures of a man who was killed in a car accident because he was texting and talking. I know that being hands free in the car isn't the same as not talking on the phone while driving, but it does give you more control.

Naughty or Nice?

I'm ready for it. I mean, who wouldn't be if they were in my shoes. I want to be wanted by my husband. I want him to look at me and think about naughty things!! So maybe it's time to take a step that I would never consider if not for my age and circumstance. By that, I mean maybe it's time I considered taking weight loss pills. I don't mean it to be a 'quick fix' kind of thing. I want to do something to get my metabolism jump started. You see, I am the type of person that needs to see some results before I get completely motivated. I don't know why that is, but I am.

I have several different friends who are taking diet pills. They tell me they eat so much less and are loosing weight just because of that. I don't know exactly how it all works, but I wanna try it for myself.

Presents, please!

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Hank and I finished up our Christmas shopping... and thanks to my good friend, Crystal Dawn, I got most of it wrapped and ready yesterday.... wanna see?? Here's the presents that can go under the tree. You know, presents to each other and to relatives.
And here is the super secret stash in the storage room that's ready to go, too!

Since Alabama is having a banner season, a lot of them are sports gifts themed, but I don't believe that any of the recipients would object! And, remember, all of Hankie's family is out of state, so were there is an abundance of it here... not so much there!

Did you see the long present wrapped in the the red and white hounds tooth print in the front of the tree?? That one came from a sporting goods store for sure. Any guesses?

Model Figure

Okay, do you do this?? When I feel a guilty wave pass over me as I'm eating a dessert or ordering a soda, I think, "After this birthday or that holiday, I am going on a diet!" Yeah... that's where I am. I know it's completely unrealistic to try to diet right now. I have to make this and that for Thanksgiving, and class parties for Christmas are coming up. Then company parties, special events and Christmas. There is no way I'm gonna loose even a fraction of a pound unless my will power is in check... and it ain't if you were wondering! I want those buckeyes and that turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes with extra butter and sweet potatoes.

I took a look at a few diet pills a while back and now that I'm not nursing, I'm seriously considering giving one a try. Lipodrene claims to be more effective, so maybe that one. But I'm not willing to have really terrible side effects.

I wish I could find a healthy balance and learn the beauty of portion control. I think that this is something I should have worked harder at when I was younger and I just might need a little extra help now that I'm in my thirties!

Gadgets and Toys

I believe that we are entering the electronics age with Tres and Bryant. They love their DS's and they have several gaming systems.

This Christmas, 'Santa' is bringing them a Wii (courtesy of Pay U 2 blog!) complete with controllers, games, and a few accessories. We are trying to find them ipods or mp3 players at a reasonable price. Lately, they have been jamming around the house with their Dad's mp3 player and just having a good old time! We saw some listed at $12 for Black Friday, so we may be up super early to try and take advantage of that deal!

Did I mention that Tres is already asking for his own cell phone?? Seriously, people. He is six. Help.