Haircut

I finally made the big leap and cut my hair. It doesn't matter who likes it or doesn't it is just what I wanted to do. Being a full time mom I make sacrifices for the good of my family. I make most decisions based on what my family likes or dislikes. My hair cut should not be one of those decisions, and thus I made my own choice.

Heather & Casey's Wedding

Last Friday, April 24, 2009 Heather & Casey got married! I didn't get to make it to the ceremony, but my heart was there. They had a private cermony, and had a reception later on that evening. They did a great job remembering every detail. It was a lovely celebration. And so many of you were asking about the cake that I posted up some extra pictures of it. It was a cupcake tier, very elegant and very detailed. We all had a ball.

Easter

Here are a few pictures of Easter this year, and a couple extra cute ones of Gabe and Levi.

Brandon's Birthday

Today is my baby boy's 12th birthday. Where has the time gone to? We had his party for his family, and his friends party this past weekend. It was busy to say the least. He had a great time!! An entire weekend revolved around him...who could ask for more. He's growing up so fast. It seems like just yesterday I was bringing him home from the hospital. Happy Birthday Brandon!!!

Looking For The Birds

Here is a picture of Levi looking for the birds, and it fits how I feel. Bring on a little summer. A temp of 70 would be nice.

Basketball Banquet

I know I'm making a lot of post today. Anyway last Monday was the basketball banquet for Maddie. They went undefeated two years in a row and two years in a row conference champions. So it was a big deal for the girls. All the parents were doing different things for the girls asking for a three dollar, five dollar, ten dollar donations for the gifts they were getting the girls. Times are hard yes, but I wanted to do something for the girls that wouldn't take asking for anymore donations, but wouldn't break the bank. So off to Pat Catans I went, I found these bears for less than a dollar with bendable arms and legs. Two spools of thicker ribbon 33 cents each, two gel pens to write on the ribbon without bleeding, a bag of basketball beads for $2, and one thin spool of ribbon for the headband again 33 cents. So for less than $20 me and Maddie made each girl, coach, and stat keeper a memorable bear with their name, number, and conference champions. Everyone loved them and kept asking where we got them done at. I was pleased. Another gift that I loved that one of the parents had done was a small photo album with pictures of the girls in it. A very nice keepsake for the girls.

Birthday Wishes

Last month was Sienna's 5th birthday. Wendy had her this lovely princess themed party. Each girl was their own princess from tiaras being handed out instead of birthday hats to princess games. Everything went off great. My favorite part was the "birthday song" why...because Pooh gave each girl their own cupcake and lite special candle and when the song was over they each got to blow their candle out and make their own wish. I can not tell you how special it was. I actually got tears in my eyes. Good job Pooh!

Sierra's Program

A few weeks back was Sierra's school music program. The theme was "school" how appropriate. In picture two you can see Sierra's part...holding the milkshake up. This poor girl is so talented musically I can't wait till the day the music teacher sees it. As usual my pictures didn't turn out as well in the gym with their special lights, and as usual I managed to get the black & white color add. I still don't know how I get it, but I do occasionally. The program overall went wonderfully. It was very upbeat and cute. I had a wonderful time watching my niece perform.

Happy Birthday Pooh!!!

Today was my baby sister's 33rd birthday! It seems like yesterday that we were fighting over dolls and whose turn it was to go next. She has grown up into a true friend and a wonderful mother of three and aunt that the kids rely on. As we get older it's easy to look back and regret some missed opportunities, but Wendy can look ahead at the legacy she is creating in the children. Happy Birthday Pooh Bear!!!!

Day 120

Day 120 was this past week. I also received my lab results this week. My total weight lose is 18 1/2 lbs. (not a lot since day 90) but my total inches is 51 3/4. I haven't had a migraine in a month, and my blood pressure was 106/68 at the dr. office the other day. If I continue with these results the doctor said come May she will take me off my blood pressure pills!!!!!!! That my friends have been my goal all along. My cholesterol has also improved dramatically I still need to keep working on it, but she was very very impressed. If any of you follow your cholestrerol my good cholestrol was 9 a year ago this week it was 20. It doubled!!! The ideal number is above 45 so there is still work to be done, but she said the result is excellent. Now keep in mind the doctor is fully aware of the supplements and told me that this seems to be a program that works for me. My liver enzymes was up (its been that way before) she thinks that it might be from my medications we will check it again in May. My exercise program is coming along nicely I made it up to 1.7 miles this week. Again a huge huge step for me. No the weight lose isn't like those people you see on tv, but I am making some excellent progress. It's not one of those crash diets it's real life changes. The lbs. will come, but the health has already started arriving.

Working Out In Public

Yesterday I went to the Rec. Maddie starts track in two weeks and wanted to keep her conditioning up, and I needed to change my exercise program (none to something). So off we went. It wasn't at all what I pictured. I think I was picturing myself doing these machines as I would have at 18. I hate even telling this next part, but if it helps even one of you it will be worth it. You have to punch your number in and scan your hand to go through the entrance gate. It is then followed by going through the turn style gate (like those at Cedar Point). I again must have thought I had that 18yr old body and tried to go straight through. That would be the point I managed to get stuck or something I was mortified Maddie was laughing so hard, and the kind man at the table decided to let me pass through the open gate instead. That situation alone should have been enough for me, but I had a goal so off I went. I thought okay off to the cardio room. I made it as far as the door those machines looked like more than I could handle, so I settled for the track. I will make it to the cardio room....I'm not there yet. I'm doing all these laps around the track sweat pouring...Maddie nothing. I can barely make it to the end of the lap and down the stairs, and Maddie says Mom I thought that was our warm up. LOL, oh that funny kid.

Animal Cookies

This picture is from mom's camera. I have no idea where she took this picture at though. The reason for today's post is animal cookies. My children still to this day love these things. They're low in fat, calories, etc. so I still occasionally buy them for them. I buy the generic kind the huge value kind. Well the other day when the kids showed me one I was a little shocked. This animal cookie looked like a CAT. I looked over several of these little things, and couldn't figure out for the life of me what else this animal could be. I was a little upset about this....you know me not focusing on the state of the world or anything just absorbed in this animal cookie thing. If any of you have these particular cookies at home and know what else this animal is please by all means let me know.

Updates

As per requested I'm giving the updates today. We'll start on what you are all wanting to know...how's the 'wellness journey'. It's not a fabulous picture I posted, but it will do. Again, no make-up except eyeliner. I'm approaching day 120 here in a couple weeks. I'll give stats then. Right around day 90 I gave the 'wellness journey' a little break. I figured I had enough information that I could do it alone. As usual I was wrong. The migraines returned, the blood pressure went back up, and I was watching what I ate, but it still lacked that nutrition that I was getting from my supplements. I still fought three pounds coming on going off you know the deal. So I returned back to my supplements, where I feel more complete more in control, better balanced. You may wonder why I'm even counting those days that I didn't have my diet program...well because those days are still part of my 'wellness journey'. I seen my doctor last week for some blood work (yearly thing) I'm curious to see how it turns up. I'll keep you posted. The kids are doing great! Working hard on their studies. Brandon still has a few weeks of basketball left, and Maddie is getting ready for track season. All is good.

Conference Champions

Last night was the title game against St. Paul...and we won!!! Maddie was one of the captains last night. (She was happy) They are now the Conference Champions two years in a row. They've also went undefeated two years in a row 33-0. It was a very fun season, but I'm glad some running will be done for mom until track season.

Did We Get Enough Snow?

Yes I do declare we definitely received more than our fair share of snow yesterday. The kids had a snow day, and for the most part it was a very laid back kind of day. We didn't get shoveled and plowed out till about 4:30 yesterday which was fine since we had no where to be. In the last photo it's a little hard to see, but that is Brandon with his sled on top of the mound of snow. He kept losing the sled over the back.