My pants don't hurt!

This morning I put on my favorite pair of jeans and they didn't hurt me! Been doing Weight Watchers again and have lost 8 or 9 pounds - just depends on the morning. This time I am just going to keep going to the meetings. I have been a life time member since I think '96. I am also doing a walking routine every morning. Walking either a mile or two at least 5 days a weeks. My goal is to lose 15 to 20 pounds by our trip to Table Rock this June!

The big thing for me is snacking and portion control! I love feeling in control of my eating instead of it controlling me.

Amy

Spring?

It seems that Spring has finally arrived! The temps have warmed up and it looks our lowest high temp will be 50 degrees this week. It is raining here today and the humidity is back finally. My hair is curlier and my skin is not itchy. Yea!

Last week was Luke's Spring Break and we went to my sister's home in Michigan. I know we went the wrong way! Everybody is heading to warmer climates and we headed north. It really was a fun time together. We took a long weekend over the Easter holiday. The kids had a great time playing with there cousins for a few days.

Luke went back to school and it was such a bummer for him. He only has two more months of first grade. I can't believe it! This year is flying by.

Maggie is growing up so fast. Today the two of us went to the grocery store and just looking at her I can't believe how she has changed over the past 2 3/4 years. She is a fun loving child that wants to do everything herself.

Ok...I will sign off now. Just had to put this pic of Luke playing golf in the back yard.

Amy

March already?

Wow time is flying by! I can't believe we are almost done with the 1st quarter of the year. I haven't posted in awhile so I thought I would give an update. The past two months were extremely busy for me. I wrapped up to big volunteer projects. Yea! Never sign up to do your child's school's yearbook. Huge project! Had some nice Pampered Chef shows and now we are getting ready to take a trip to see my sis in Michigan.

I am trying to gear up my Pampered Chef business. I really am enjoying it! I get to got to a party when I work. It is too cool!

The kids are doing great! Luke is still in Taekwando and he really likes it. Maggie is now a ballerina and tap dancer. She loves it! Today they got to play outside for the first time in a long time.

Matt is doing well and he still makes me podcast with him!

Well that is it!

Got Milk?

So my 7 year old came home from school today. As he was taking off his coat and he asks me the following question, "Mama, do girls, women make milk?"
I said, trying not to giggle, "why do you ask?"
Luke,"Well, someone said that girls make milk...that's not true?" Luke looks at me with a funny puzzled look waiting for me to answer.
I said,"Yes, women can make milk."
Even funnier look on his sweet face. With his eyebrow lifted, he asks, "Why?"
Me, "to feed babies."
"Huh," he questions.
"Because, after a woman has a baby her body produces milk for the baby to eat," keeping my answers simple.
Questions keep coming, "Where does the milk come out?"
Me,"Out of her breasts."
"What,how does that work," Luke replies.
"The mother puts the baby to the breast and the baby eats," I reply, keeping it light but, wanting the conversation to end.
Luke,"ahhh, did I do that?"
Me,"Yes."
He leaves the room. I am off the hook.
Luke returns 10 to 15 minutes later and asks,"How?"
"How what, honey?" I reply.
"How does it work, your body and the milk?"

Now we are into the science part of the discussion. I then go into an abbreviated version of how a woman's body creates a baby and when the baby comes out that the body says time to feed the baby and it makes milk. Luke was so surprised by this fact. It was very funny to see his reactions to my answers. I wish I could have had this on video.

He is such a cute kid and I know he thought that there is no way that girls make milk. It really is a new twist to...Got Milk!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year to All!

We have all been so busy the past few weeks that I haven't posted any pictures or blogged at all. We are enjoying the holiday season immensely! We put up the Christmas decorations the Friday after Thanksgiving. The kids have been enjoying watching the Christmas cartoons and movies. Everyday one the kids places the next piece of our Advent calendar on to the manger scene. This is a very big deal!

Luke was great in his class holiday program. The kids were all so cute! On Christmas Eve he will be performing in our church's Christmas program. He has a speaking part. Both he and Maggie will be singing in their choirs. We just have to keep them healthy.

Luke is on his second round of antibiotics for strep throat. At least he is on meds for the next ten days so hopefully he will stay healthy through the holidays.

We are all so excited we have family coming to spend part of the holiday with us. My sister and her family are coming and will be staying a couple of nights. We will have a full house! This year we are hosting Christmas for my family at our home. Yikes 17 of us in our little house! I am really looking forward to it! Matt is saying, "yah, I'll be out for the season..." Matt's brother's family is coming too! We are excited to see the Texas clan! Luke is sooooo happy that he will get to see all of his cousins this year!

I worked on Christmas cards today. So, I thought I would share what our good friend Dee came up with for our Christmas/New Years card. Coming to a mail box near you! Matt and I wish you all peace and joy in 2008.

Finally, a friend sent me very nice poem about the season and putting Christ and our families first.

______________

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband, wife or significant other.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gobble, Gobble! I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We sure did! I would just like to thank Matt's Aunt Darlene for hosting and making sure a wonderful meal. Man I am still stuffed! We can always count on a great doggie bag after being with Matt's family.

Today, I decided to forego the doorbusters and shop online. Well, after spending an hour online and selecting my purchases the Kohls online system farted out on me. I was soo mad! So, I jumped up and headed to the mall! Yikes was it crazy! I ran in and got my items and then spent about 20 or 30 minutes in a line that snaked through the whole store. I ran into a woman who lives in my neighborhood so the time went by quickly as we chatted.

Tomorrow Matt and I have a lunch date! Yeah!!!!! We are going to finish up the shopping for the kids and enjoy a couple of hours away from the kids!

Happy Halloween!

Well, today is one of the best days in kiddom! Happy Halloween! Tonight we will be trick or treating at our former babysitter's neighborhood. This is a tradition that we started when luke was just a year old. It is the perfect neighborhood for trick or treating. Almost all the neighbors participate in decorating their homes and passing out candy to the kids. One family even puts together a haunted house! Luke and I will be going into the haunted house for another scare this year.

After we trick or treat, we head out to Jama and Papa E's house so the kids can show their grandparents their costumes. This year Luke is dressing up as Luke Skywalker and Maggie a beautiful princess. She has been in her costume all day and she even took her nap in it. Can you say Sleeping Beauty?

I am posting a couple of pictures from Luke "Halloween" birthday party this past weekend. It was a wild couple of hours. Just a tip 90 minutes is plenty of time for a birthday party. We did a 2 hour party and it was too long!

Amy