Pooped Out

We spent a lot of yesterday outside riding bikes. Jenna was pooped out. She fell asleep just sitting on the couch. Then they played outside with the neighbors once they got home from school (they had spring break last week). Jenna, the next door neighbor got a new bike (she is 6) so she gave her old bike to Jenna. Jenna feels like a big girl now because her bike has brakes! I didn't get to go to aerobics last night because Jack worked late, so the kids and I went to Lowes Foods to order Jenna's birthday cake. I think I will do the kickboxing class this morning. That should be a real joke! I used to take the class all the time last year, but Jenna kept getting sick every time I took her so I stopped taking her to the day care. So, I haven't been kickboxing for a year and I am not in the best of shape, so this should be taped for the funniest home videos!! I hope to get groceries after that. I really need too because I am taking a meal to Olivia tonight (the lady at our church that just had a baby). If I don't get to the store, her meal will consist of nothing but rolls!!!

To Diet or not to Diet.......

To diet or not to diet....that is the question! I really need to lose 10 pounds in two months. Nothing magical or special about two months, just something I need to do. I really don't like the way I look. I figured 5 pounds per month is reasonable. The first 5 usually come right off anyway. Now....can I stay motivated? My problem is that I love to go to the gym, but just don't get there like I would like too. I can't get motivated in the cold to get up and go at 4:30 am. I also worry because my membership expires next month and I don't know if we will have the money for me to renew. The biggest problem however, is that I LOVE to eat!!!Food and I are best friends at times. I am also an emotional eater. When things get crazy, I go in for a snack. When I am lonely or sad, I eat. When I have had a stressful day with the kids and they are sleeping, I go in for "my" time. I swear if I didn't snack, I would probably be thin. I lost so much weight only to gain it back. I don't know if I should commit myself to this goal or not. I also know we have a big birthday this Friday and of course we will have cake and eat out, a shower on Saturday with more cake (and you know how I LOVE marble cake with whipped icing!!!). I guess as long as you are sensible and eat in moderation, you don't have to deny yourself of food. So, let me go out on a limb, like Sara, and try for the magical 1o lbs by June 15th. (that gives me a couple of extra days, especially since I have blown today). I'll put it on my calendar to post my update on that date.

The Weekend is Over?

I can't believe the weekend is over. We had such a great time with our families, that I can't believe the work week has begun again. At least there is no school. I don't know if that is a good or bad thing, but it is nice not to have to rush around in the mornings! The kids have been so tired every night and sleeping in a little, which gives me time to get ready for the day! I am going to take some time to myself today for about an hour and go and work out. I need that after all the food I ate over the weekend, not to mention my refrigerator is wall to wall of sweets and ham! My sister must have had about 6 different desserts yesterday. Oh well! I'll start back to working out. Hopefully, tomorrow night I can go to aerobics class. Jack is off the last part of the week, so I hope to have time to spend with him, relax, and still get some household projects done. Oh, one more thing.....

Happy Birthday, Angie!!

An Easter Surprise

We were able to pull it off!! My brother came from Ohio and surprised my mom and dad. I really thought my kids would blow the surprise, but they didn't. Even this morning when mom and dad got to church first, I told them not to say anything about Uncle Mark coming and they didn't! Anyway, my brother, Mark, came in Saturday afternoon. He came over to our house around 5 Saturday and played with the kids and ate dinner. We made Saturday night family night this week since he was here. The kids played with him, watched "Cars" and made "snores". They were exhausted when he left. Today, my parents came to church and were sitting there. They turned around and there was my brother! I was so happy we pulled it off. We went to my sister's house today for Easter dinner, and like always, she puts on a feast. I ate way to much, but it was nice to be with family. I'll post more pictures tomorrow.

School Easter Egg Hunt

Jacob and Jenna had their class party and egg hunt. It was a lot of fun, but we got even MORE candy!!! I brought them home, and ran right over to Joshua's school. (Thanks again mom for coming.) I really enjoyed being in Joshua's classroom as I don't get to go as often as I would like. Anyway, he had an Easter Egg hunt too. They were limited on space with all the other kindergarten classes having one, so to make it more challenging, each kid had a number and they had to find the eggs with their numbers on them. After that, they brought out the "kites" they had made and ran around for about 10-15 minutes. I was tired just watching them. He then had a party and we got out of school before 2:30!! It was nice to be home early and not have to sit in carpool line!!! We took advantage of our time and went to Target and then over to Pizza Hut to cash in our free pizzas. Each one of them received a free personal pan pizza for reading enough books in March. They were proud, plus it made for a cheap dinner since Jack had class. Miss Beasley came over to talk to me. She handed me this piece of work Joshua had done. It was a dot to dot page, but she said..."I think you might like to have this"....on the front he had written...."Happy Birthday to my mom, Jennifer"....on the back he wrote... "Easter isn't about Easter Eggs, it's when Jesus rose from the dead"... I was so happy to see it and will keep it forever. I am so glad she let me have it. I thought...even little Joshua can be a witness in the public school.

Well, this morning is our first day of spring break. The boys were up late last night and they are still in bed. It's almost 8 am which is late for them. I enjoyed just laying in bed with no rush to get up. I didn't really sleep after Jack left, but just not having to rush, was a great feeling.

The Art Door

We use the doors in our kitchen as our art doors. The kids have been bringing home so much lately. I love to keep it, but I can't keep everything. I do keep the big stuff, like most of this on our door. Today we have egg hunts at preschool. That should make for a short day. Joshua also has an egg hunt and party. I didn't think I would be able to go as two sitters backed out on me and then everyone I asked couldn't watch Jacob and Jenna for me. My mom is coming to the rescue. I feel bad that she has to drive all the way out here by herself, but mom you are a lifesaver. Thank you! I hate not being able to go to Joshua's things too. I usually don't have this hard of time finding someone to watch them. Tomorrow is officially Spring Break....but it won't be spring break for me! I love having all three of them home, but I am sure it will be a little more work. I don't even have any activities planned. At least Jack will be off for a couple of days!

A Wonderful Birthday

Ok, back to reality. I was princess for the day, and now we are back to normal again. I did have a wonderful day. Dinner alone with Jack was great. I LOVED the cheese fries! Thank you mom, for watching the kids. Thank you Jack, for arranging things with my mom so that we could have a birthday celebration. Thank you everyone, for the birthday wishes and all the gifts. After all the celebration, I scrambled to get the kids to bed. We had to leave at 7:15 this morning. Jack and I had a conference with Joshua's teacher, Ms. Beasley. Things went really well. If kindergarten ended today, he would be ready for first grade. He has met all his goals, so right now they are just pushing him so that he will be even more ahead for first grade. I was so relieved to hear this. I was also pleased that she handled a situation that occured so well. I feel that she went above and beyond what I expected. I prayed hard for months that God would give Joshua the best teacher/the teacher that would work best with Joshua, and I feel that God really answered our prayers. Sara, that was one area that I didn't realize was so important, until I read that section in the book "The Power of Praying Parent.