Happy Birthday, Jacob!

I have a nine year old now.  Jacob has grown into a fine young little man!  I've shared my stories about the other two, so now it is time to share about Jacob.  If you remember me talking about Joshua you will remember how hard and how long we tried to get pregnant.  I knew that I wanted to have more children.  I went in for my yearly checkup only to find out that I was pregnant!  But, at the same time I knew there was something wrong.....I was spotting lightly, something I never did with Joshua.  They assured me everything was ok.  Every time I went to the bathroom I would check to see if I was bleeding.  Then one Saturday morning I woke up and I knew it was over.  I was devastated.  I knew I could never get pregnant on my own (or so I thought).  I went back to the doctor and asked when I could try again.  They told me to have at least one period before trying.  I never had that period.  I got pregnant right away.  I remember not feeling too well and thinking I was getting the flu.  My friend told me to take a pregnancy test, and she was right....I was pregnant again!! (and within one month of my miscarriage).  The pregnancy was good although the tests showed that Jacob could have downs.....thankfully he did not.  I was due on the 25th and on the 29th they took me in to induce labor.  I remember telling Jack to get the nurse.....it was time to push!!  The nurse came in and then brought in another nurse, and they went to get the doctor......I knew something was wrong!!  Jacob was not breach, but he was not turned the right way and if I continued down this path I would probably be in labor for over 24 more hours and may run into complications.....I needed a C-section.  They suddenly started prepping me.  I was very nervous because Jack and I knew nothing about C-sections.....only that this was surgery.  Soon after that, Jacob Grayson McLean was born weighing 8 pounds 1 once.  He didn't have cleft, he didn't have downs.....the only "bad" thing was that they cut his eye when they broke my water so it looked like he had been in a fight.  Happy Birthday, Jacob!!  We are so blessed to have you and we love you very much!!

Yard Sales/Thrifting

It's that time of year again......time to go to yard sales.  I've been getting up the last few weeks and going to some yard sales.  I was having to work around soccer games, but now that is over.  I usually go out for an hour to two hours and then I'm home.  Some weeks I hit the big load, some weeks a few things, some weeks nothing at all, but it is so much fun!!  The kids love to get up and go with me, and they love to go through the boxes.  They've learned if they have found something to go and ask the people how much.  Yesterday the four of us went out and I got this cute basket for 50 cents.  I'm not sure what I'm gonna do with it.  Right now it is on my table, but I fell in love with it, and the price was right!!  I found this wicker basket with blue inside of it for Jenna to use as her laundry basket.  $3.00!!  Jacob also got two lego sets and some nerf guns.  Later that day we went to a thrift store.  Josh was thrilled to find an Under Armor shirt....so much that I can't get it off of him to wash it.  Jenna found this cute Gymboree shirt.  She is starting to tell when she find something good too.  She came running up to me and said "mommy, look....it's a Gymboree"!

Company Picnic

On Sunday, Jack's company had their annual picnic at the Angus Barn Pavilion.  My kids love this event.  They can walk up and get as much popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones they want :).  They also have inflatables and games they can play.  I'm not sure how many stuffed animals they came home with, but I'm sure they could open a store!  They also had a wall to climb and a mechanical bull to ride.   They also had the horse and carriage ride.  My favorite was seeing Joshua strapped to this trampoline/bungee type thing.  He flipped a few times and then they raised the bar really high.  I wish I would have my video ready.....the man jumped up, grabbed Josh's feet and Josh went soaring up way above the trees!  He totally lost his color for a minute and the look on his face was priceless!!  After I walked around awhile with the kids, I sat down and played BINGO.  I won Jenna a strawberry shortcake doll thing and then the kids came and joined me.  They ended up winning so much stuff and each time they would say "what do you want now mom?"  I ended up with a lot of treasures (most are dollar store type items).  Of course they had hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, chicken, potato salad, beans, rolls and dessert.  I did really good.  I came home and walked and only went over for the day by 150 calories.  The McLeans love this "free entertainment".

running

As long as I have known Jack, he has loved to run and has always asked me to join him.  I never could.  I'm slowly working up to jogging with him.....but there is one problem.....I STILL HATE IT!  I don't know what joy there is in it at all.  I am up to 2 miles on my good days.  Last Sunday we went jogging together at White Deer Park and those hills are BRUTAL!  I could barely do one lap (one mile) and he told me to do another one with him.  I struggled through it.  I still want to do a 5k with him, and am trying to get there.  I'm very picky to where my money goes, and I found a race June 30th in Raleigh called "raleigh's finest".  It's in memorial for two firefighters who were killed.  I knew one of them, and his parents took our wedding pictures, so I am interested in this one.  My entire family (well, maybe not Jenna) wants to run because there is a 1 mile kids run.  Josh is well ready for that, and Jacob is about ready.  So question is....is mommy ready?  I still have to add a mile and smidgen more to my run and I don't know if I have it in me.  I'm proud of the small steps I have taken, but not sure if I can do this.  Someone suggested registering so than I would have to train and get ready!!  I'll be honest.....I'm not sure if I will continue running after this.  It seems like a lot of work, and I don't seem to burn the amount of calories that I want.  I'll keep you posted.  Good news....I'm now down 24 pounds!!

Spring Concert

The 2nd-4th graders had their spring concert/play last night.  It was so cute.  I'm very proud of Jenna who decided to try out for a part.  She got a small speaking part....probably about 5 lines.  Jacob decided he just wanted to sing in the choir, so he did.  I love to see them growing and branching out a little.  Who knows....maybe next time she'll decide to do one of the solos!

Mothers Day 2012

This was the first mother's day without my mom.  It seemed a little different not having the kids make cards, or doing something special for her.  I'm thankful for my mom.  I have a lot of fond memories of her.  Todays message reminded me about my mom.  Mom and I would always sing silly songs....I remember her always being home when I got off the bus from kindergarten.  She would give up buying things for herself so that I could have things.  She was a Godly example.  She loved my kids with all her heart and went out of her way to make each one of them feel special. I especially appreciated the friends who remembered that this was my first mother's day without her and asked if I was ok and told me they were praying for me.

My awesome husband and kids gave me a nice mother's day.  I got treated to gifts and card they all made for me, and lunch with my family and dad from Chili's.  I also got a beautiful bracelet that I can add charms to.  I love mothers day.  It makes me feel so love and appreciated by my family.  I hope you all had a wonderful mothers day too.

My Weight Loss Journey Update.....

So about 4 1/2 months ago, I joined the gym.  I never really dreamed of losing more that 10 pounds, but here I sit today, 21 pounds lighter!!  I am very happy, but at the same time I still feel like the contestants on The Biggest Loser.......it takes SO much to make a difference. Believe it or not, there are pros and cons from losing weight....maybe I shouldn't say pros/cons but rather moments of ups and downs.....

The down side......Seeing a close friend you haven't seen since January, and she doesn't notice anything. (yes, another sign that I should be on TBL).  One of the biggest disappointments is losing this much weight and not seeing a difference in my clothes.  I have one pair of shorts that were big to begin with that are now falling off, and one shirt I can now wear, but when I try on clothes with the size I should have been able to get into before this adventure not fitting, it gets to me.  You would think that I should be down 1-2 sizes by now.  That's gotta be one of the biggest disappointments.  I would think by 21 pounds you should be searching for a new wardrobe.  Another disspointment is knowing that you are still classified as "obsese".  How about not being able to lose your C-section gut?

The up side.....A personal accomplishment....and I'm not done.  I never even thought that I would be down 21 pounds.....quiet honestly that was not really my goal at all.  Another big plus....having one instructor telling you how much stronger you have gotten.  Another instructor telling me how to track things better and how well I am doing.  Seeing new numbers on the scale.....wow....love that too.  And the few people that haven't seen me in awhile noticed that you have dropped, ask what you have done and how much you have lost.

At least I enjoy what I do and it relieves a lot of stress.  After the night I have had tonight, I can't wait to take off some more stress!