7 Years

This was happening 7 years ago today...

Old School Blog Questions

My sister tagged me in this little survey, so just for fun here goes...

A. Attached or Single?

Married...about to celebrate 7 years.

B. Best Friend?

Eric

C. Cake or pie?

Probably cake, but really not a sweets eater.

D. Day of choice?

Monday (Just kidding!!)

Friday - especially in the summer when I get off work at noon.

E. Essential Item?

Lately, the same a Kim - giant insulated mug (full of water!)

F. Favorite color?

Pink or turquoise

G. Gummy bears or worms?

Gummy bears...not as big a fan of these as I used to be

H. Hometown?

Abilene

I. Favorite Indulgence?

Chips & queso

J. January or July?

Definitely July

K. Kids?

Hadley

L. Life isn’t complete without?

My boys - Eric & Hadley

M. Marriage date?

July 8, 2006

N. Number of brothers/sisters?

2 brothers – Tim & Sam

1 sister – Kim

O. Oranges or Apples

Both

P. Phobias?

Failing

Q. Quotes?

Don't walk before me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

R. Reasons to smile?

My family, long time friends, a day off work, birthday parties, pedicures, accomplishing a goal...

(Throwing in some old pictures that make me smile.)

S. Season of choice?

Fall (love the colors)

T. Tag 5 People.

Never really know who to tag on these things...

U. Unknown fact about me?

I can't ride a bike. (Stop laughing!)

V. Vegetable?

Bell peppers

W. Worst habit?

Not really a habit but, I have a terrible temper and get irritated at stupid little things.

X. Xray or Ultrasound?

Xray - chest (several), foot

Ultrasound - pregnancy (the best!), thyroid, boob

MRI - foot

Echo - chest/heart

Y. Your favorite food?

Chips and dip

Z. Zodiac sign?

Capricorn (but I don't really care)

Cousins

Yesterday we met my brother, Tim, and his wife, Dina, and their kids Bailey, Emma, & Seaver in Grapevine. Hadley and Seaver, who are only 7 months apart, had a big time. Cousins = friends for life.

(It's hard getting two 4-year old boys to be still and look at the camera!)

Comparison

Today Hadley started his second summer at TCS. It's hard to believe how much he has learned and grown in the past year.

June 2012

June 2013

June Daily Challenge

So I've decided to do a little challenge during the month of June. I got this idea from my sister who did a day of the month exercise/activity challenge back in February.

The idea is to do the exercise / activity the number of times (or minutes) to correspond to the day of the month. So by the end of June I would be doing 30 of whatever exercise I chose. Now I am just trying to decide what move to do. My thought so far include push-ups, burpees, minute(s) of situps or planks. Any suggestions?

Three Long Years

Two years ago Eric started the Radiology Tech program at Grayson College, and, as of yesterday, he is officially done with that program. Before I elaborate, let me go back...

April 2010 - I still remember the day I came home from work to hear the words that would change our lives for the upcoming future. Eric had learned that day that his position as an Ag teacher was being eliminated due to budget cuts. So, basically, we had two more months of the status quo before our household income would be cut in half (literally). Awesome. We spent the remainder of that spring and the following summer sending out resumes, traveling to interviews, and waiting for phone calls. The result: no one wanted to hire someone with Eric's education or experience. Again, awesome.

Fall 2010 - At this point, we made the decision that Eric would go back to school and pursue a completely different career in medicine. He was planning on attempting to be accepted in the Radiology Technology program at Grayson College. In order for that to happen, he needed to complete 2 prerequisites (that, of course, could not be taken simultaneously).

December 2010 - We moved from Gainesville to Sherman. I was already working in Sherman, driving back and forth 30 miles each way every day. And the college was in Denison, just outside of Sherman, so it just made good sense to make this move.

January 2011 - Hadley started going to a new babysitter (necessary because of the move), and that turned out to be a huge answer to prayer since we quickly grew to love Mrs. GiGi. Eric started his adventure back at college by taking Anatomy & Physiology I (and realizing he was going to have to study a lot for this stuff!).

Summer 2011 - Anatomy & Physiology II began for Eric, as well as the application process for the Rad Tech program. Eric received his acceptance, attended orientation, purchased scrubs, and prepared to begin the two year program.

Fall 2011 - Radiology Technology program begins for Eric.

Spring/Summer 2012 - A big change for Hadley when we learn that Regina (Mrs. GiGi) will be going to work at TCS and, therefore, not keeping kids in her home any longer. We decided to follow her to TCS, and enrolled Hadley in TCS. The transition went fairly smooth, and has been a good decision.

May 11, 2013 - Pinning ceremony for the Radiology Technology class of 2013. I could not be more proud of Eric for completing this program.

May 15, 2013 - Eric's last final exam. Officially done!

May 18, 2013 - Grayson College graduation (which we are actually skipping, but this will be his graduation date.)

The last three years have been long, hard, stressful, crazy, exhausting, proud, fun, etc. Now we see where this "new future" will take us.

Another "blog worthy" day at boot camp

Today's boot camp workout was "Lucky 7's"...although I'm not sure how "lucky" anybody was.

7 Plank Pushups

7 Tuck Jumps

7 Inch Worms

7 Squats

7 Sit-ups

7 Reverse Lunges (each leg)

7 Burpees

(Repeat entire cycle 7 times)

Go!

Boot Camp Workout

Never, in a million years, did I think I would be doing a blog entry about a workout I completed. However, I just want to document that I actually did this, and also remember it so I can do it again. (Did I really just say that?!?)

Last Friday's boot camp workout was hard (for me). I felt it the rest of the weekend. But I also felt proud of myself for doing it, and a little piece of me hopes we do it again sometime. (Maybe not today!) Here's what we did:

10 x each of the following things:

-Push ups -Squats -Reverse curls (with weights - I used 5 pounds) -Bounce jacks (jumping jacks bouncing a stability ball) -Pike/Planks -Jumping lunges -Burpees -Mountain climbers -Tricep lifts -Sumo squat kicks

Repeat entire cycle 5 times.

That might not sound like much to some people, but it took me almost the entire 30 minutes, and I moved the entire time. But I did it.

By the way...I have now lost a total of 13.6 pounds.

Frustration

About a month ago I started back on Weight Watchers. I also started back to the gym 3-5 days a week. The first week I lost a little over 8 pounds. I know that's a lot for one week, and I also know that is not a normal weekly weight loss. However, for the next couple weeks after that I stayed at pretty much that exact same weight (plus or minus tenths here and there). Then, this past week, continuing a similar eating routine as well as beginning a 3-day a week boot camp, I actually gained a pound every day when I got on the scale. Are you kidding me?? What am I doing wrong? In the past month I have increased (by a lot) the amount of water I drink, decreased (again by a lot) the amount of diet coke I drink. Additionally, prior to this month I probably ate something fried (fast food) at least one meal a day (if not more), and now I have maybe had something little fried once a week (if that). I have seriously increased the amount of fuits and vegetables I am eating, as well as decreased the portion sizes of pretty much everything I eat. And the result...nothing. What am I doing wrong? I am totally and completely frustrated.

I think I might be crazy!

Yesterday I signed up (and paid good money) for a "Lunch Bunch Boot Camp" starting after spring break. I think I might be crazy! I had seen "flyers" about the boot camp on my gym's FB page, as well as on my favorite trainer from the gym's page, so I decided to just bite the bullet. I think I might be crazy! So for four weeks, three days a week, I will be tortured working out at lunch. I think I might be crazy! I'm totally looking forward to it...can't you tell? I think I might be crazy!

Motivation?

Well, I have finally managed find some motivation to lose weight. I know I need to lose a whole lot of weight, but for some reason I just could not get myself into the right frame of mind to start doing it. But, this past week both Eric and I decided it was absolutely time, and we both stayed committed all week. One week at a time (or maybe one day at a time) is how I am trying to approach it this time.

And, the good news is, Eric lost 11 pounds this past week, and I lost 8. You've gotta' start somewhere.

Boys vs Girls

A couple things really bother me about retailers when it comes to toddlers / kids.

1. Clothes - Why can stores not carry equal choices for both boys and girls. I am not exaggerating when I say that, in most stores, the ratio of girls clothes racks to boys is 15 to 1. Seriously! (I count them!) Something is wrong with that. And, to make it even worse, these days most of what stores do carry for little boys looks like it is actually for little girls. I mean, colored skinny jeans for a boy? I don't think so. Not on any boy of mine! Whatever happened to jeans and polo or rugby type shirts? Or even just wind pants and t-shirts. Come on people. Let boys dress like boys! And put more boy clothes in stores. Very frustrating!

2. Toys - Another example of an extremely uneven ratio involves toys for boys and girls. Just look at Disney movies...how many princess movies can they make before they make another boy-interest movie. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Disney or the princess movies, but think about it, boys don't want to watch or especially play with the toys from those movies. However, how many "boy" movies can you think of that have come out lately, and how many of those resulted in a big toy craze? None in the past few years. I don't especially want my son playing with WWF or Star Wars toys, and he hasn't really shown any interest in superheros (Captain America, Spiderman, etc.) so that doesn't really leave much these days. What he does (really) like are Disney Cars and Toy Story. However, lately most toy stores and toy departments are doing away (for the most part) with both of those lines. Toy Story items are pretty much non-existent any more, and the Cars items are quickly dwindling as well. So either keep stocking that stuff, or come out with some better "boy" movies, Disney!

Thank you. That is all the venting I have today.

Photo Dump

I think I have finally figured out one of life's greatest mysteries...how to post pictures directly from my phone onto this blog. Oh happy day. 

So, here goes...

New coveralls = super cute little boy!

Yeah, that's my brother (black cap), working an NFL game

My little Christmas cookies helper...and taste tester

Happy Birthday Jesus celebration at school (with a super cheesy smile)

Happy 4th Birthday Hadley Max!

Christmas Day 2012

Hadley Max - 4; Poppa - 98

I love me some Chick-Fil-A

"Mommy, can we take our picture on your phone??"

Nothing sweeter than a sleeping child

Yep...there's my brother again working another NFL game (And yes, I took a picture of the tv screen)

Birthday cookies at school

We had a few leaves in our yard

Flu Shot

To get the flu shot (for Hadley) or not...that is the question. I am torn on this one. While I realize some people have very strong opinions about this one way or the other, I don't really, so that makes it harder to make a decision.

On the one hand, I understand that it is only $20, and could possibly prevent a terrible case of the flu, and possible complications that could result from that.

On the other hand, we have not yet given him a flu shot (4 flu seasons so far with no flu sickness for him) so I kind of see a pattern. Also, I have a real problem with the fact that, according to our local health department, they give the same dosage to all children ages 3-17. Seriously?? A 3 year old needs as much medicine as a 17 year old? Who came up with that logic? And, I absolutely dread taking him out of school early one day only to take him to get a huge shot. If we do that, do we tell him ahead of time what is coming, or would that only cause panic on his part? Or do we just "surprise" him when we show up at the clinic and they walk in with a big needle. Neither option sounds like a fun way to spend an afternoon.

No idea what to do about this.

Anybody?? (Oh, and if you say he should have the shot, I am assuming you want to be the one to take him, right?)

2013

A new year...new goals...

The obvious:

-get healthy

-financial issues

The not-as obvious:

-be better at staying in touch with people

-learn to ride a bike (don't laugh!)

-be better at de-cluttering house

-try something new at least once a month (maybe more often)

-be more thankful for little things

-worry/stress less

School Christmas Program

Yesterday was Hadley's preschool Christmas program, and it was so great. As I sat and watched (and tried to take pictures / video - more on that later) I kept thinking about two things. First, I was thinking about how many years of programs like that we have to look forward to, and that thought made my heart happy and brought a smile to my face. And second, I was thinking about those parents who, because of something totally out of their control, will never have another school program to go to for one of their children, and that thought broke my heart and made me cry for their hurt.

So, I attempted to take pictures (none of which turned out anything but blurry) and then attempted to video (which also turned out totally blurry) but I ended up with mostly blur, the backs of other parent's heads, and the music teacher. Grrr. Maybe I will get a better camera soon. (Hint! Hint!)

I will post a couple of the videos here, just to document that I actually tried, but don't get your hopes up. (Oh, and good luck trying to pick out Hadley!)

Hint - front row, khaki pants, plaid shirt

Hint - cow, playing with tail

Hint - acting silly at the end of the song

Enjoy!

Family Pictures

My sweet friend, Robin, recently took our family pictures again. And I just want to say how grateful I am to have a life-long friend like Robin who, even though we only get together once a year, will always be an amazing friend.

Here are a few of my favorites...