The first step is admitting it. Right? So what am I going to do about it. Well...I finished off the last bag of m&m's in the house last night. With a tall glass of milk.
I could just give up the m&m's but I know I would quickly replace them with KitKat's. Or Hershey drops. Or Lindor truffles. So I'm going big. And giving up sugar. Yikes! I did this last spring for a few weeks. So I know the first few days will be horrible. So I figured while I'm at it I'll cut out all the white stuff. Bread, rice, pasta...yeah, this is going to be awesome. I've stocked the fridge with lots of fresh fruit and veggies, greek yogurt, you know, healthy stuff.
So why am I doing this? Well, there's the obvious fact that swim suit season is right around the corner. But more importantly, I hate the fact that I feel like I NEED chocolate on a daily basis. When I cut out sugar last April, I was surprised how quickly the cravings went away. And how much better I felt. I had a lot more energy. And though I completely avoided sugar for almost a month I knew it was totally unrealistic to avoid it forever. So for months after I would have cookies, cupcakes, even m&m's occasionally but never really felt like needed them until last fall. Maybe the Halloween candy was my downfall. Probably.
I figured while I'm at it I'll try to drink a lot more water and exercise every day. I'm doing Jillian Micheals 30 Day Shred. Today was the first day and it sucked. I've been running pretty consistently for a few months but haven't done a full body work out like that forever. At least it only lasts 30 minutes.
So that's that. I'll update at the end of the month and hopefully I will have good things to report. Wish me luck...
I was at my sister in laws house a couple of weeks ago. She just moved down here from Connecticut and is renting this cute little house on the north side. Her landlord is this nice old guy. He recently moved in with his son. The family emptied out the house and took everything they wanted/needed. But they left a bunch of stuff in the garage. They told my sil they would come back to haul it off when they had time but in the meantime she could use anything she wanted. There are a few small pieces of furniture and shelves and shelves and shelves full of stuff. On my first glance into the garage these teacups caught my eye.
I loved that they were blue on the outside and white on the inside. And it is the prettiest, most perfect shade of blue. There was a stack of plates and bowls, a couple of serving pieces, a gravy boat. Then I noticed on the other side of the garage the tea pot. I really have no use for a tea pot but it was just so charming. I was smitten.
My sister in law told me to pack it up and take it home but I told her to check with her landlord before I hauled off the family's china. They told her I could have it! Yup. Have it. For zero dollars. So when my mother in law was visiting this week she washed it all and packed it up and brought it to me.
It's made by Taylor Smith & Taylor and is called Platinum Blue. I did a little research and it was manufactured in the 1950's.
There is also an oval serving platter, two serving bowls, and a lovely little gravy boat.
I love that it is blue on the inside. The creamer is a miniature version of it.
So I have 4 complete place settings. And I'm looking forward to searching out some more pieces. I really think I need the sugar bowl to complete the tea set. Who wants to come for tea?
So yesterday's post didn't turn out like I expected. I was thinking about that first year we were married and looking around at my family room full of people. My people. People that I made. And I know how it happened but sometimes these people still take me surprise. Like, how do I have a son that is capable of growing a full mustache? And a daughter that wears make-up? And five children that can all take themselves to the bathroom?
So I started looking through old pictures on the computer. And decided I would post a couple from February's past. Then I started to type and something else came out of me. But I still want to post those pictures. Because these years really are flying by. My people are growing up. Every. Single. Day.
This one is from 2005. We had an ice storm.
This is what Cowboy looked like then. Squishy.
Rockstar in '06. I think this is the longest her hair has ever been. And we were about to cut it. She was 3.
2007 Two year old Cowboy snuggled in for a nap.
2009 These girls got bunk beds. Then decided they prefer to sleep together. Sisters are the best.
Baby in 2010. He still kind of looked like a baby.
2011 Caveman and Cowboy playing in huge amounts of Chicago snow.
Matt and I were making super bowl plans the other day. Mostly deciding what to eat. I asked him if he remembered our first Super Bowl in North Carolina. He remembered who was playing. Who won. I remembered going to our good friends, the Bauer's, house and eating meatball subs. It was the first time I'd ever had a meatball sub. But what I remember most was what was on my mind. I had a sneaking suspicion that I might be expecting. I went to the clinic on the base the next day and my suspicions were confirmed. We were having a baby!
We talked about some other Super Bowls. Realized the last time we threw a party was in 2002. I was pregnant with our third child and going for an ultra sound the next day. We already knew she was a girl. I found out on my first visit. This was the routine 20 week check. Where they totally check the baby out, measure everything, give you a thousand pictures to stick on the fridge. But it was taking forever. And the tech kept checking and rechecking. Measuring and remeasuring. And there were so many pictures. Too many. We were told (and shown) that our baby girl had fluid in her abdomen. And quite possibly around her heart as well. We were given some weak explanations and a referral to a specialist the next day. Long story short (because that story really needs to be documented on it's own) baby girl was fine. But she taught her parents a lot in those few scary, uncertain days.
As we were getting ready to watch the game tonight, the kids were recalling last Super Bowl Sunday. We flew home from Chicago and the flights were wide open. Because who wants to be on an airplane during the Super Bowl? And I was thinking the kids will probably always remember that Chicago trip at Super Bowl time.
On this Super Bowl day we drove an hour to get to church. We attended the ward of one of Matt's brothers and his sister too. Matt had the opportunity to ordain his brother to the office of priest. He gave him a beautiful blessing. Typically, this is something that happens when young men are sixteen. But this brother stopped being interested in church when he was a teenager. He has recently had a change of heart.
It's interesting the different memories that we associate with different events in our life. Super Bowl Sunday is typically a fun evening, spent with family and friends. Good food. Good memories made. I hope what I remember about this day is that miracles happen, hearts can be softened, and prayers are always answered.
You know, the one that is almost four. He gets more funny every day. And more rotten. And sweet too. Weird. He makes a great sidekick. He talks ALL the time. And he remembers EVERYTHING. Some of my recent favorites...
He likes to sleep in his underwear. He strips out of his p.j.'s at bedtime and slips between the covers in his underpants. Why do boys do that? My girls never want to do that. Anyway, he picked out some new underwear at Kohl's the other day. Transformers boxer briefs. So he says, "Mommy, can I sweep in my twansfowmuhs boxuhs?" When he wakes up he gets dressed first thing. This morning he slept late. He came downstairs in jeans and a Buzz Lightyear T-shirt. His hair was a mess and his eyes looked sleepy. And the first thing he said..."We should go to da pawk...And weah ouw coats." I suggested perhaps we should have breakfast first.
The other day he reminded me of a few occasions when I was "mean at him". It went like this:
Him: Do you wemembuh when we went to the big Chick-fil-a and I sat in my ketchup, then you cleaned it up and you and daddy were mean at me. Me: Yeah...Why were you sitting on the table? Him: I don't know but daddy was weally mean at me. Me: Are mommy and daddy mean all the time? Him: No, just when I hit my bwuthuhs and sistuhs.
He tells me all the time that he is not my baby anymore. He is Ian. I-A-N. He can't wait to go to school next year. And let's be honest, I can't wait either. I have had a baby or toddler (or both) as a constant companion for almost sixteen years. But as that registration date gets closer I'm starting to think, "what's one more year?" One more year of messes, of tantrums, of constant chatter, of snuggles, of hugs and kisses, of stories and puzzles. I could have one more year...
So I guess because I've been a lousy blogger this year, I'll just give a quick run down with the highlights. It's been a fantastic year at lelu's house.
January
The kids went back to school after Christmas for a couple days then Georgia was hit with a fabulous ice storm. A little over an inch of ice gave them a week's worth of snow days. The first day they played outside and attempted to sled. By the end of the week they were over the cold. But it was good prep for the following month...
February
Chicago was hit with a huge snow storm. The flights were wide open, so I pulled the kids out of school and went to play in the snow.
We had never seen snow like that. The kids played and made snow caves and sledded and drank hot chocolate and loved every second of it. It was a little too cold for this southern girl though. My sister and I spent a full day at the outlets. It was a fantastic trip.
At the end of the month we took Caveman to Savannah to participate in the All-State Chorus. You can read about it here.
March
Cowboy started his first soccer season and loved every second of it.
I ran my first half marathon with Matt and his brother.
April
We went to Disney World!!!
We were able to spend an entire week and it was wonderful. We can't wait to go back!
The kids kept us very busy in April but the highlight was Caveman participating in Southern Lights.
He was selected to sing in the Southern Lights Youth Choir. You can see him in the video. He is the last kid on the right side of the stage. I get emotional every time I see it. This was an experience I'm sure he will remember forever.
We were also able to attend the open house and dedication of the Atlanta Temple. You can learn more about temples here.
And the craziest thing that happened in April...Our baby turned THREE!
May
The kiddos finished up the school year with all of the recitals, concerts, awards days, and parties that accompany the end of the year. We all couldn't wait for long lazy days at the pool.
June
Matt takes and passes the NCLX. He is now a licensed nurse. Sassy went to Girl's Camp for the first time and doesn't call me all week. I have mixed feelings about it but mostly I'm thrilled that she had the time of her life. Kaleb spends a week at Especially For Youth in Virginia. His Uncle Kirk is his counselor. The kids and I spent the same week in Memphis. Lots of good times with cousins.
We came home for a few days then left to go to Chicago.
Both of these trips deserve posts of their own. Someday...
July
Spent the 4th with great friends. Parade, pool, and fireworks. One of my favorite days of the year.
Rockstar had her birthday while we were in Chicago so we had to have a party for her. Lots of crafty fun for her and her girlfriends.
Sassy had a birthday too. We celebrated at the pool with friends and cupcakes. We went to the mart a few days later for some serious shopping. My girl was in heaven.
We spent most of our summer days at the pool with great friends.
Caveman gets to sing the National Anthem at Braves game. So cool.
August
Matt started his first nursing job and a few weeks later leaves Delta Air Lines.
The kids go back to school.
Life is super busy again with lessons, practices, rehearsals...
Matt turns 40!!! We celebrate with friends at Maggianos.
September
Some friends and I take the littles to see Elmo.
They were so excited. Cowboy and Rockstar came too.
I had a birthday.
Rockstar decides she wants to be a cheerleader.
We take a family trip to the Gulf.
While we are there Cowboy turns seven.
October
Caveman turns fifteen and gets his learner's permit.
Matt and I celebrate our 16th anniversary.
Caveman participates in his first school play.
We lose a dear friend and are reminded how truly precious life is.
We trick or treat.
November
We have Thanksgiving at our house this year. My parents came and my sister and her family. We have so much to be thankful for.
December
Caveman played three parts in his high school's production of "A Christmas Carol."
The three oldest have Christmas concerts and do great at their piano recital.
We are enjoying lots of family time together making lots of memories. It has truly been a great year for our family and we feel so blessed.
