Misc. Monday

Let's try this again.  Why is it so hard for me to keep up?  Well, I have a new plan.  So to start with...Here is Misc. Monday...will be for recipes, life lessons, bits of randomness or whatever. 

I am getting back on track with my THM.  The holidays kind of threw me for a loop.  I've also started keeping a journal...using the Self Journal.  I'm really liking it so far.  Love how it helps set short goals and long goals.  I'm really excited about it and the goals I am setting for myself.

Today was a little crazy, but yet nice.  After everyone being on break for 2 1/2 weeks it is nice to get back to a routine.  I even woke before my alarm (that I actually forgot to set anyway...lol).  

We had a lovely Christmas and break.  A lot of it was spent running around, but that's ok.  At least we weren't bored!  LOL  Loved seeing family and friends we haven't seen for a while.  

Well, that's about it for today...Got to get back into the swing of things.  :)

Here is this weeks Menu:

Monday - Chili

Tuesday - Salmon

Wednesday - Salisbury Steaks

Thursday - Ham

Friday - Pork BBQ

Still,

Add caption

Attitude Adjustment

Money Saving Mom has inspired me with this post of hers.  I have already been working on getting rid of negativity in my life...because it just makes me feel terrible.  It affects everything about your day.

So after reading Money saving mom's post, I was inspired.  Some of the things I already do, but some are going to be added.  I hope she does not mind if I use some of her titles.  Descriptions are my own... I have since created my own list, in no particular order:

1.  Get up earlier.  I used to (waaaayyy back before we moved up north, from our slow paced southern life) get up between 6-6:30 a.m.  I loved it!  I loved how I felt, I loved watching the sunrise, opening windows, hearing the birds sing...quiet...loved the quiet.  It was my time with God.  Well, after moving here...schedules are CRAZY.  Life is so busy and fast paced.  I have already been backing off, and being less involved, as to slow it down a bit.  But still getting back on the early morning routine has been a struggle for me.  But I am determined to get it back!  (I'll keep you updated on how that's going!)

2.  Eat breakfast, make a cup of coffee.  Breakfast used to be one of those meals I would skip.  Not anymore!  It might be the same thing every single morning, but I do not skip it.  In my endeavors to stick to THM (Trim Healthy Momma), I've learned the importance of breakfast.  I love my hot drink in the morning as well.  It is one thing I am finding very difficult to give up.  I have tried, and it's not that I HAVE to have the caffeine, I just really need that hot drink in the morning.  Hopefully I will be able to find a better way of sweetening it, but as of this moment, it is my one thing that I still have not fully given in to plan on.

3.  Light a candle.  One of my most favorite things of all is a clean house, and candles burning.  Open windows are a plus!  I used to would only light the candles if the room was spotless.  Not any more!  MSM (Money saving mom)  inspired me to go ahead and enjoy my candles anyway!  I at least light the one in the kitchen first thing in the morning!  (Look out babe, I'll be buying more candles...hehe)

4.  Take time to brain dump.  I really hated to use MSM's exact words, but I just love how she put it!  Dump my brain out on the paper!  When I think of tasks, chores, DIY's, to do's etc.  It is getting added to a list.  Get it out of my brain and on paper.

5.  Organize a to do list for the day, and "time block" them.  Looking at my list from the brain dump, organize what needs to be done for this day, and put them in a time schedule.  To try to keep things in perspective.

6.  Don't over book myself for the day.  I guess 5 and 6 would kind of go together, but by time blocking it helps me to not over book myself.  I tend to bite off more than I can chew, then I'm stressed out and can get grouchy if I don't get done what I want to get done.  That takes me to number 7.

7.  Learning to let it go.  I know some hate the song from "Frozen" "Let It Go", but sometimes it is my theme.  Sometimes you just have to let it go!  Is it really worth getting all stressed out and grouchy over?  Really?

8.  Jot down 3 things I'm thankful for.  A thankful heart is a happy heart.  If you are being thankful you are not complaining.  It also helps drive negativity away.

9.  Read my Bible.  As I said this list is in no particular order, and this is usually one of the first things that happens in my day.  Gives me something to meditate on as well.  In addition to just reading a chapter or whatever I am also starting to do some more intensive personal studies...and examining my own self.  When we are being like Christ, that for sure drives negativity away, and makes us happier.

10.  Turn on music.  This is a new one for me, but it is so helpful!  Usually music is coming on while straightening up the rest of the house.  It drives the clouds away, and more often than not you end up singing all day.  

11.  Clean out the inbox.  If I don't stay on top of the inbox DAILY it gets away from me and gets overwhelming.  Take care of the emails...every day!

12.  Laugh...at the very least smile.  Anyone that knows me knows I love to laugh.  Laughter is the best medicine.  Laughter is a stress reliever.  Laugh a lot when you are young all your wrinkles will be in the right place when you are old....You get the point!  Seriously though, laughing just makes everything better.

13.  Blog.  I'm TRYING to do this daily.  I may not actually POST daily, but I am trying to at least type/blog for at least 20-30 min/day.  Also, goes with "brain dumping".  Some of my "dumping" will be here.  This ends up being more a journal for me.

14.  Hug my boys.  Life is short.  They grow up so fast.  I need them to know I love them.  And I need them to always know that affection is ok.  It's ok, to let those you love know you love them.

15.  Hug and kiss my husband.  He needs to know I love him too.  And like MSM said, there is no G-rating here!  My boys need to also know how to love their wives someday.

16.  Exercise.  This one is one of my hardest.  If I get up earlier it is easier.  But exercising is not my strong point.  However, I do feel better when I do it.  So that helps.  Exercise also helps clear the mind, and keep things positive.

17.  Shower.  Every.Single.Day.period.  I feel nasty if I don't!

18.  Love what I wear.  I actually have been working on this one for a while.  I have decided if I don't like it, if I don't feel good wearing it, then it goes.  Life is short...why wear clothes you hate? 

19.  Read.  Every day I try to read AT LEAST one chapter of whatever book I am currently reading.  As a busy mom, sometimes that's all I can get in, but reading is important.  I make the boys read, I must read.

20.  Do something for someone else.  Always looking for ways to help the other people that live in my house.  Doing for someone else makes everyone happy.

21.  Breath.  Just stop, relax, and take a deep breath!  Catch your breath...maybe with 22.  It makes a big difference in my day.

22.  2nd hot drink.  Or other favorite drink.  (depending on time of year)  Need it to help 21. ;)

23.  Eat healthy.  THM...makes me feel good.  Makes me feel good about myself.  

24.  Drink plenty of water.  Just because it makes me feel good to get my water in for the day.

25.  Take my vitamins.  I actually take several vitamins.  Yes, they make a difference.

26.  Daily run through straighten up.  I at the very least straighten every room.  (except the boys' bedrooms they are responsible for their own)  Keeps things from getting out of hand.

27.  Do 2 loads of laundry.  At least.  If I have time or feel like doing more, great, but at least 2, helps me stay on top of my game.

28.  Listen to or read something that makes me think.  Usually it is my Streams in the Dessert.  or an old message.  Keeps your brain in gear.   Spiritual growth.

29.  Post on Instagram and/or facebook.  Just to keep up.  To stay involved with my family and friends that I don't get to see often.

30.  Text a family member or friend.  Or my hubby.  ;)  Just to keep relationships alive.

31.  Clean up kitchen.  A messy kitchen DRIVES ME CRAZY!  I want clean counters when I get up in the morning!  Put things in the dishwasher as they are used...etc.  Cleanliness is next to godliness.  

32.  Chill with the fam.  In the evenings we chill together.  Whether just setting and talking, playing a game, listening to a story.  We enjoy each others company.  

33.  Clean a pinterest folder.  Each day I have been cleaning at least one pinterest folder.  once that's done I'll have to come up with another 33.  But that will be a while!  LOL

34.  Make my bed!  An unmade bed makes the whole room a mess.  Enough said.

35.  Discuss my day with my husband. We talk about our day with each other.  Keeping each other informed of our thoughts, feelings, frustrations, joys, fears, dreams.  Keeps us connected, and makes us understand each other.

36.  Dinner plan.  This is actually one of the first things I do in a day.  I figure out what we will have for dinner, so I will know all day what time to start preparing.  Makes life so much easier.

37.  Pray.  I have to talk to God daily!  I need his help and strength to get through each and every day.  Telling God all about everything, helps me keep things in perspective.  I NEED this connection.

38.  Go to bed at a decent hour.  If I can do this...it makes 1 so much easier.  Although, there are a couple nights...one in particular that messes with me every.single.time!  There is NOTHING I can do about it, but if I can get the other 6 in order, then I am happy.

Positively,

Weigh In

I have decided on a "different tactic".  The scales drive me crazy and play with my mind.  If I don't see the numbers going down it discourages me.  SO!

I now am hanging an article of clothing the next size down in my bathroom, where I will see it multiple times a day.  I will try it on every Friday morning, and when I can comfortable wear it I will weigh myself.  My item at the moment is this jean skirt:

Excuse the mirror on it...should have removed it for the pic, but...

 

I tried it on this morning, and I can get it on, and button and zip it, but it's still a little snug...not comfortable.  But hey!  At least I could button and zip it!  I will try again next Friday!

 

New foods for this week?  Tried this THM Taco Soup.  I thought it was good, needed something but the flavor was good.  The rest of my family didn't care for it...I think mostly because it still needed something...beans, or quinoa, or...something. 

 

I have really struggled with my sweet tooth this week.  I think almost everyday I caved and filled it.  Yesterday I was determined not too...and I made it.  I kept thinking of that skirt hanging in my bathroom!  One day at a time!

 

IN OTHER NEWS:

 

Pilot has been studying all week preparing for his ACT test which is tomorrow.

 

LegoMan is reading Old Yeller this week, and doing well with reading.  Spelling is still a challenge but we are working on it.

 

Firefighter has been busy with school and work.

 

I am up to March 2008 on my scrapbooks!  (that's the pics that are printed!)  I have pretty much decided I am going to get caught up with what is already printed then print the others and fill them in.  I will take advantage of any "free print" specials that I can find in the mean time though. 

 

I scrapped some photos yesterday that made me really really miss the little boys!  I was working on February 2003...LegoMan's 7th birthday (goal is to do at least one month/day some days get more...).

 

He had asked for a "Horton".  At that time Kohls Cares had Dr. Suess creatures and matching books...SIDENOTE: I love Kohls Cares books and creatures...wish my boys weren't' too big for them now...LOL  His birthday "night" he was "reading" his new book to Yertle, and Horton.

He had wanted an "Awmy" (army) jeep cake.  I didn't know how in the world I was going to do that, but after some thought and "research" I came up with one!  I love making their cakes as creative "new ideas".  Not the star drop decorated shaped cakes.  I tried to be original.  This was one of the "funner" creations.  When he got home from school...the look on his face was priceless!  Made all the stress worth it! (of course...since it's a jeep...it had to have been mud running.) ;)

 

Hope you all have a blessed weekend.

 

We'll keep on,



 

Weigh In

Birthday week...need I say more?  LOL

Although, I did try something new this week.

I have had a bag of Quinoa in the cabinet for a very long time while...I have been scared to try it.  Never had it...never cooked it...I was scared of it!

Well...we were out of rice...and I NEEDED to make something to go with our stir fry.  SOOOO...I fixed it!  AND....

We liked it!  The 2 younger boys aren't sold (Pilot is a die hard rice lover) but the rest of us actually liked it!  YAY!  Another non-potato option!

I also tried this recipe for Italian Turkey Burger Soup.  Just use coconut oil in place of the olive oil.  Definitely works for THM!  And it was super yummy!  We LOVED it!

 

In other news:

 

The flu bug has been visiting our house this week.  Hopefully it is on it's way out the door!

 

Pilot has finished Driver's Ed, and got a 94% on his written test.  Now for the driving part...and to finish getting his hours in.  Hopefully we can get his license before his birthday!  He also has to take the ACT test next week...ugh.

 

We are still plugging along with school. 

 

Firefighter is doing good with classes, and work.

 

LegoMan is still LegoMan...LOL.

 

I am still working on trying to catching up scrapbooks.  I am up to 2007!  Only 7 years behind!  But I seem to be missing some pictures...Trying to find them!

 

As always, we are still,



Another Year

Has gone by, and I am blessed!

"MY" day began with finding this card 

propped up in the bathroom.  My hubby knows how to pick a good card!  It brought tears to my eyes.  Inside he had added this:

 

God painted my world a beautiful snowy white!  So I had snow for my day as well! 

 



I met and had lunch with my dad at a Mexican place...it was good!  And I had a good visit with my dad.  We were there for like 2.5 hours!  My dad gave me a card that also brought tears to my eyes. (Yes I know I'm sappy...can't help it!)

 

All day I received texts and messages from family and friends.

 

All "my men" fixed dinner.  My hubby got a Coldstone cake...(No it's not THM, but it's my birthday!) :P And they have DELICIOUS cakes!

He couldn't find any candles so this is what he used...LOL  And this cake was midnight (dark) chocolate!  MMMMMM!!!!!

 

Some friends came over and "shared" my cake with me.  And they brought me coffee shop gift card, and a massage certificate....AAAAUUUUUU!  I'm feeling relaxed just thinking about it!

 

Cards in the mail...

 

Phone calls...my 84 year old grandmother called me.  She also sent me a card with money in it, but she called me too.  I didn't have to get a card from her, just the fact that she called me...remembers to call, and is still here to call me is enough!  She NEVER forgets any of her kids, grandkids, great grandkids birthdays.  Even all the in-laws grandkid in-laws too get cards for their birthdays!  And it bothers her tremendously if she gets your card to you late!  She wants it to arrive ON your birthday!  She is amazing!  And I'm SOOO thankful for her! 

 

But my hubby scored the points AGAIN!   He got me my first EVER Coach!

I am so excited!  I love it!  I love the color!  And a Mophie!

 

I spent the day surrounded by family and friends and felt the love!

 

Blessed while,






I Don't Care How Old They Are...

...when a boy is sick he wants his momma (or wife if he has one) to take care of them!

My husbands phone rings at 2:30 A.M.  I was out.  In my subconscious state I thought it was his alarm clock, until I hear him talking to it.  Then I was like no wait, he's on the phone, (or else he's crazy and trying to answer his alarm clock.)  It took a moment to register, then fear kicks in.  That's what happens when your phone rings in the middle of the night.  It usually means someone died or is about to die...or some other SERIOUS emergency. 

I hear my husband say, "I'll be there in a few minutes." ..."No I'm leaving right now, as soon as I get dressed."

By this time I am sitting up on the bed.  He hangs up the phone and says, "Firefighter's sick.  I need to go pick him up."  Firefighter was at work.  He was doing an overnight 16 hour shift.  He had awakened dizzy, light headed, throwing up and feeling like he was going to pass out.  I said, "Well I will go with you so we can go ahead and  bring his car back."  So at 2:30 A.M. we throw on whatever clothes we can find and head out the door.  We get there and he is about to throw up again.  He heads to the bathroom and waves for me to follow him.  I do.  We get in there and well lets just say you know he's sick if he says, "Please don't leave me.  I feel like I'm going to pass out."  (but that's what a mother does.  She is there for you at your best...and your worst.  She would have it no other way.)

Well, that was the beginning of a LOOONNNGGG night.  For him and I both!  This virus is violent and hateful!  He was throwing up every 15-20 minutes for 3 hours!  He laid on the couch, I was on the loveseat....praying!  I would try to get him to drink some peppermint tea, or anything really, just because I think it's easier to have something to throw up than to just dry heave.  He couldn't do it.  So I kept watching the poor guy dry heave.  There is something about a mother watching her child be sick.  I don't care how old they are, it breaks your heart...esp. when there is nothing you can do for them except rub their back, get cool wash cloths, wipe their face, bring them pillows, blankets, water, empty the "puke bucket"...give them love. 

As I do all these things I wonder, How in the world could a mother kill or seriously hurt her child on purpose?  I can't stand to see him in this pain of just having a stomach virus.

After 3 hours he had about an hour break.  That was the last time he threw up.  About 6:00.  I still laid there until about 8:00.  I thought, I better go see if the others are going to go to church.  "yes, are you?"  I said, "there is no way I am leaving him here by himself."  I'm thinking what if he passed out?  What if he needs me to get him something?  Besides, I've been up all night long there is no way I could make it through church.  So here I stayed...and slept.  We both slept.  We are both feeling better, me somewhat rested and he is calmer.  He is sore from dry heaving and just laying.  Asking for Gatorade.  His dad will bring him some home.

As a mother, yes, I hate when my kids are sick, but I will stay up all night and make sure they are comfortable.  Or stay close by them in case they need anything.  And I'm reminded...If I love my child(ren) that much, how much more God loves me...and them.  When I worry about "things" and wonder what is going to happen...I need to just remember God is right there, he is close by in case I need anything.  He will be right there, ready to give us whatever it is we need.  No matter how old we are...we need God to take care of us...all the time!

(Now hopefully this hateful thing doesn't think it needs to go through everyone of us.)

Lessons of,

Weigh In

So some have asked if I am still doing THM.  Yes, I am.  "Life" keeps happening and I'm still not back on plan like I wanted to be by this point, but I am getting there.  I am stuck at my holiday gain...but at least it's staying there and not going up.  I have done better the last couple days.  I was doing good...then we had to travel out of state (drove 27 hours in 3 days!!!) for a funeral.  This weekend is my birthday weekend, so yes I'm going to be bad.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE Coldstone ice cream cakes...I had originally told my hubby to not get me a cake this year.  Maybe just a piece of cheesecake from Cheesecake factory or something.  OH, but the total look of disappointment on his face!  I said "Ok, but just a small one though.  I don't want it left here for me to eat on for a week!"  He agreed.  I will see how big it is...I may have to invite friends over to help eat it.

Any who...I did try something kind of "new".  You know I have been substituting Cauliflower for potatoes.  Well I made "potato" soup...only it was cauliflower soup.  It was YUMMY!  And I made a BIG pot of it so I could eat it for lunch.  Lunch is my hardest meal of the day.  Mainly because I don't want to stop and take the time to cook/prepare something.  It's easier for me to make a big batch of "something" either for dinner at the beginning of the week or just for lunch and then eat it all week. 

The other thing that is so hard for me is when everyone else is snacking in the evening.  It's cold outside so we sit here and read or play games or whatever, and everyone wants to snack.  I try to snack on nuts or something, but sometimes I just WANT what they are eating.  I'm working on that as well!

In OTHER news:

Pilot has been taking drivers ed this week and takes it next week as well.  The poor boy.  He really needed to take it a year ago, but since his dad was out of a job at that time we are just now where we felt like we could work it in the budget.  He has never once complained about it though, bless his heart.  He's just been so sweet about it.  We (and by "we" I mean my husband because I am too much of a scaredy cat) are working on trying to get all his hours in so he can get his license hopefully BEFORE he turns 17.  Then Lego Man informed me that in a year and a half he gets his permit.  NOOOO!!!  STOP!!!!  Where DOES the time go?!

We have also been preparing Pilot for the ACT test in a couple weeks. 

Firefighter, has made some decisions about his career and is making strides in that.  He wanted "something" else along with the firefighting/paramedics.  He has decided he wants to do care flight medic as well as working part time for his station.  He has researched what he has to do to get there and is working that direction.  I am proud of his ambitions, and that he is working towards them!  He is a hard worker and loves what he is doing!  That was important to me and one thing I tried to teach them.   To go after a job they would love!

We are still house hunting...there appears to be some starting to show up again.  We knew that there would be more in the spring.  We also have another bit of info we are waiting on to help with that process.  Praying for that info to receive a speedy process.

While waiting, I have been working on organizing my pictures.  I am SOOO far behind in my scrapbooking.  I think I finally have them all organized, now to print them.  Doing a little at a time until I get them all.  Hopefully I will have a craft room soon and it will be so much easier to get them scrapped. 

I think that catches you up on the life here where the Kegs (as some of our friends affectionately call us) are,

'An That

My grandmother had a horrible habit of saying "an that" at random places in her communication.  This post is a bit of this...'an that. :)

First let me say, my posts are MY/OUR (as in 'our' I mean my husband and I) story.  The personal experiences I share are just that.  They are not intended to hurt anyone, hence the reason there are no names mentioned.  If you read it and realize you are the person behind the experience...know that you gave us an experience to learn by.  Please don't be offended.  We are in this journey to help each other and if you put us through an experience that made us stronger, wiser...thank you!  Some experiences, while going through them I wished I didn't have to, but once past them and looking back I see where they helped us. 

Now on to other pieces of randomness...'an that.

Isn't this the most beautiful sight?!  I absolutely love finding him sitting reading a book when it's not "school time"!  This was taken on SUNDAY!!!!  He didn't HAVE to be reading but he was!!!!  So thankful for the progress we have made this year!

 

Same "dude" picked Chemistry/Physics for his Science this year (I hate Science, but he loves it...and of course Chemistry has a lot of "experiments"...sigh...)  LOL  Some of the experiments aren't bad...some of them are just flat annoying.  LOL  This one was cool...not as cool as I thought it would be, but it was still cool.  We were making a "lava lamp"...only there was no light. 

 Pilot got one of his bazillion flashlights and tried to give us a light.  LOL  It just didn't bubble quite as much as I thought it would.  We even put in several Alka Selzer tablets, but oh well, I think he got the point of what it was suppose to do...

While we are playing the "waiting" game, I've been somewhat simplifying our home.  Waiting to buy a house is the waiting game we are playing.  There is a minor detail we are waiting on, that HOPEFULLY will happen within the next month.  Anywho...I think I have pretty much completed what I can for now.  While organizing, I found a couple things my sister gave me to do after our mother passed away. 

 

One was the pictures of her journey through breast cancer, and the supplies to scrapbook them.  I completed that book yesterday morning with the exception that I need to buy another pack of page protectors. 

 

The other was all the loose pictures that mom had that had not been put into an album.  Let me tell you some of those were fun looking through!  I think I have completed sorting through all of them.  But there were a lot!  So instead of scrapping all of them I sorted them in piles of "whose" they are.  All of my siblings are going to get "their" piles, and I will scrapbook the ones that were mom and dad/family/whatever.  So that is the project I am working on at the moment. 

 

When that one is done I plan to start sorting through my own pictures.  I actually have mine sorted by years, I just need to figure out what I need to have printed and catch up my own scrapbooks. 

 

Just some random pieces of our life 'an that

while we are,



Back on Track

Well it's back to schedules and routines in the Kegley Household.  After 2 weeks of doing whatever we wanted (mostly), whenever we wanted...eating, and sleeping late...eating, staying up late...eating...and did I mention eating?

At least my scales only said I gained 3 lbs.  I thought it would be worse than that!  Today, the DH goes back to work, we get back on a school schedule, and THM goes into effect full force!  The countdown to our 20th anniversary is on...and I have a goal to meet! 196 days 14 hours and 27 minutes! 

We had an enjoyable Christmas break...time spent with family and friends. 

My hubby and boys bought me a Professional Kitchenaid for Christmas...AND gave me the Kohls cash too!  Woo hoo!

I have also been selected to be a "recipe tester" for another blogger who is getting ready to publish a cookbook!  That is exciting to me!  We love to try new things here!  For the next 5 months I have to try a new recipe for her book every other week and give my feedback on it.  This should be fun!  I am not allowed to share any of that info on my blog until the book is published, but once it is published I will be sure to let you know how to get a copy of the book yourself! 

Well, I need to go get busy!  Have a blessed day!

Still,

The Boys

Growing up in a house of MOSTLY females...my brothers had to endure a lot of "girl talk".  Well now in a home of being the ONLY female, I am having to endure laugh my way through a lot of "boy talk"!  ...well this post is totally "boy talk"...CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED!!! 

One day last week, school (college) was out, no clinicals, no work hours...and Firefighter was b-o-r-e-d!  So what does he do when he is bored?  Picks on everyone...esp. his little brother!  (In all fairness, LegoMan often comes "asking" for it, and enjoys it...the testosterone levels in this house are out of control...lol!)  Firefighter was giving LegoMan Charlie horses all day long.  (If you kick or punch someone hard enough on the outside of their upper thigh you can give them a Charlie horse...I did not teach you that!) ;)  Well, since my boys are ALL BOY, it becomes a contest to see who can catch the other off guard and cramp their leg!  Well LegoMan seemed to be the target this day.

I do not know how many times it had happened, and every time LegoMan would try to get Firefighter back, but was being unsuccessful.   After a while LegoMan disappeared.  He comes in from the garage in a few minutes sporting a pair of knee pads...with the pads on the outside of his upper thigh.  We were dying at this point.  Too funny!  I grab my phone, b/c this needs a pic.  He catches me before I could get the picture and tries to hurriedly take them off.  In the process of taking them off so quickly he gets them turned around so the pad is on the inside of his leg. 

About this time Pilot walks into the room.  Following conversation takes place.  (everyone is laughing...)
Pilot:  Why are you wearing knee pads on the inside of your leg?!
Firefighter:  He's never heard of a cup.
LegoMan:  I know what a cup is.
Firefighter:  What's another name for a cup?
LegoMan:  It's a crotch protector.
Firefighter:  crotch protector...it's called a jockey strap.
Mom:  You know to protect the boys...(pause...) You do know what the boys are, right!?
Firefighter: (at the same time as mom) you know your DNA...genes...your future...
LegoMan:  The boys...yes, if you are talking about Firefighter, Pilot and me...yes I know what the boys are.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA  UNCONTROLLABLE LAUGHTER....OH MY GOODNESS!  ARE YOU SO SERIOUS.  Laughter so hard, mom is sitting on the floor in front of the fridge with tears streaming down her face.  Firefighter is punching his own leg, Pilot...I don't know.  We were all laughing so hard. 

Poor LegoMan seriously had no idea.  He had never heard it referred to as that.  He was a really good sport about the whole thing.  We did decide, however, that it was probably time for him and his dad to have a chat...bless his heart!

In all seriousness though, I am so grateful for his innocence!  One of the blessings of homeschooling...they can keep their innocence a little longer.  He is a tender, sweet, fun loving boy and I love it!  I hate that it's time (probably past time) for his father/son "chat".  I want him to keep that innocence...They grow up so fast!  He still enjoys his legos...I hope he does for a long time yet!  But I am afraid...this is the first Christmas he didn't give me a long list of legos that he wanted.  In fact, in his initial list he never even mentioned them to me.  I was so sad.  I looked at my husband...about to cry and said, "this is the first Christmas that none of our boys asked for toys"...I mean like toys to sit on the floor and play with toys.  Yes they all asked for "toys"...bigger toys, but you know what I mean.  Eventually LegoMan came to me and said, "I want this lego set."  You so know I got online and bought that thing like right now! 

Bittersweet,

Friday Weigh In

Yes, I am still doing THM.  Life has been so crazy busy it has been hard for me to get on here and post!  Some days I'm like, "wait!  Just stop for a few minutes!"  Things just keep happening!  For example, Tuesday...I had my day all planned out.  I was going to get all my baking done.  I had to briefly leave to go visit a sweet new momma and her baby at the hospital.  (And I'm so glad I did...for various reasons.)  Of course I held that sweet baby!

While I was out, someone had contacted me that a couple older Saints wanted to come by and see the boys before we left the next day for an appt. in another state...5.5 hours away.  I had gotten home got the butter in my mixing bowl, and the door bell rang.  These 2 sisters just love my boys for some reason!  LOL  They actually stayed and visited for quite a while, which was nice and sweet, but needless to say I did not get done everything I had planned.  Oh well...

 

Today I am hoping to get the baking done...guess what!  I just got a text...a dessert order for TONIGHT!  MAYBE I won't get mine done today!  LOL 

 

Rewind.....bbbzzzzzttttt...ok...WEIGH IN:  I've lost a total of 14.8 lbs!  I had hoped to hit the 15 mark today because my 10's digit would have gone down a number but it is stubbornly stuck at the .2!  I have a strong suspicion that I have Candida...(The home test came back positive, so I am trying really hard to not eat any sugar/carbs until Christmas day. (Yes and people keep wanting desserts...LOL).  But I'm also doing some other Candida fighting supplements.

I am feeling better so that's what matters!

 

Since I already mentioned it, I guess I should give a brief update on the boys.  They did have a checkup/clinic appointment on Wednesday.  Both their PFT's were good...at baseline for them.  Which was a huge relief since Pilot's was SO bad last time!  Dr. could hear a little junk in his lungs, but felt we could just do a round of oral antibiotics for now. 

 

The most exciting part of the visit...He gained 14 lbs!!!!!!!  He is now in the 42nd%ile with his BMI.  Goal is 50th%ile...the highter their BMI the better their lung function.  But the absolute most exciting thing????  For 11 years they have fussed and fussed and fussed about LegoMan's weight.  They pressured us for a g-tube and everything over the years.  We kept putting them off...we really just didn't want to go that route!  For one thing he didn't look unhealthy, and he was eating like crazy.  For another, the males in my husbands family were always "small" until they hit puberty and then they seemed to take off overnight.  I really wasn't concerned, but the dr's look at numbers...and they have to report numbers.  I didn't care about what it looked like on paper...to me that's a dumb reason to do some things.  Anyway, any of you that know LegoMan know this dude has grown like a weed out of control over the last year.  But height with no weight only makes BMI look terrible.  We have been praying, the Saints have been praying...This visit, I don't know exactly how much he gained, but LegoMan hit the 54th%ile!  EVERYONE was so excited!  The dr. was hugging me, and asking "what did you all do?  Tell us so we can share it with others."  Well, I believe prayer is the biggest thing!  God has always helped these sweet boys.  We have beefed up the exercise which also causes them to eat more.  Anyway!  It was an awesome answer to prayer!  A decade of struggling and resisting the dr.s (in all fairness, only one of the 3 Dr.s was very pushy...we have been extremely fortunate and blessed with great dr.s that listen to the parents, and children...hence the reason we chose to keep driving the 5.5 hours to keep seeing them!) 

 

Anytime they have a significant weight gain, the clinic issues them Walmart gift cards.  The Dr. told them they were the only ones that got gift cards that day! LOL  We are thankful!

 

Need to go get busy on my order and baking for the day!

 

Still,



Thanksgiving 2014

...was a good day.  I had hoped to have posted this before now, but my week kind of got weird.  Monday, it seemed like it was just one thing after another...the devil seems to be fighting my family really hard right now.  Well, Mr...just so you know...I have some big boxing gloves!

Anywho...so our Thanksgiving.  Most of my family came to my house this year.  2 of my sisters and their families were not here.  I am a "fancy" person and like things to be nice.  So I wanted to do a sit-down-pass-the-dishes meal...and everyone dress up.  To me that is "fun". :)  And we all know that how we dress affects how we "feel" and "act".  Don't believe me?  Try it!  When I have a day that I feel somewhat discouraged or down...if I put on some nice clothes and make my self "feel" presentable...it helps the mood.  But I digress...

My handsome hubby wanted to smoke the turkeys...He smoked 3...one was for some friends.

The Kind of the castle...carving said Turkeys...

 Some of my "fanciness"...china was my mothers...of course we had to use it...yes it all had to be hand washed...:)

Had to put the adult table in the garage...so I had to try to fix it up some...:)  You know make the most with what you have!

Kids' table...wanted them to feel like they were important too :)

My dad's wife made this cute turkey. :)

 Kids at their table.  With all their own dishes.  One of the girls was worried if they had everything on their table that the adults had on theirs.  LOL  (yes they did.)

 

The adults at their table.  My brothers made "bow ties" out of the napkin rings...LOL  We had a good time!  Sorry for the "blurry" pic...one of the kids took it. 

 After dinner and after we cleaned up, we played games and just hung out.  Overall, I'd say it was a good day.  Of course we had plenty of leftovers! Still have some hanging around! 

Still,