A new leaf...

Truly, the new leaf is turned!!!! If you are wondering why I haven't posted an update regarding my quest for getting back in shape - - it's because I wanted to make sure my new lifestyle 'stuck'. Back in July (wow, 8months ago!), I started the 6week challenge at the Y and I haven't looked back for a moment. At the same time I enrolled in Weight Watchers to keep up the momentum and to combine better eating with the working out. I discontinued WW when we left VA since I felt like I could do it on my own (and b/c we only have 1 salary now!) Before we left Va, I had already achieved some great results and met my WW goal, but wanted to make sure that with our move and some big changes to our life, that I would still maintain the healthy eating & working out. So here we are, nearly 8 months later and I have lost 30 lbs and am holding steady. My diet has slacked off a bit, but I've made up my mind that as long as I'm working out at the same level that I can afford a few extra calories if I desire them on occasion. It's been so great to feel good about myself again - I hadn't realized how busyness and stress had affected me - I knew I could stand to lose several pounds, but would have never thought 30lbs was a realistic number. I'm truly enjoying working out and can't imagine it not being a part of my life. I'm excited that I've adjusted some of the ways I grocery shop and glad that I can influence my boys' habits now rather than later. The one & only downside to all this weight-loss is that I have very few things that fit me now - which would usually be a GREAT thing, but now that we've moved from 2 to 1 salaries, I don't have the same ability to just go buy a new wardrobe!! Oh well, just pardon my baggy britches!!!

On a 'break'...

Unfortunately, I have been forced to take a break from blogging. We've been having some computer issues for the last several months which made posting pictures and therefore blogging quite painful. We were struck by what we think to be the 'Vista' virus and struggled with getting rid of it. When we finally thought it was gone, it would propagate and show back up. Very frustrating. I was still spending some time on the virused laptop when we received some startling news last week - account of the virus, we became victims of identity theft. Someone purchased a very expensive laptop using our PayPal account (can you say $2700?). Ugh, anyway we feel certain we will be restored monetarily thru PayPal though we haven't received final word yet on that matter. At any rate, this has induced a fear of using 'that laptop' and therefore I have been relegated to naptime usage of my parents' computer and naturally I don't want to upload photos to their computer. We are 'shopping' for a new laptop (although ironically I technically own a very expensive new laptop!) so I can't wait to finally be back to 'normal' computer time, which obviously includes BLOGGING! Anyway, I'm trying to catch up a bit on reading some of your blogs!!!

Not too "scabby"

Carter took a tumble this weekend in Athens - he is now donning a sporty scabbed nose -but it is precious - he looks like Rudolph. It's so cute how he points to his scab saying 'no' for his nose... Oh, and Anderson couldn't resist a photo opp with his scabby brother....

BullDawg Country!

Last weekend we headed to Athens to spend some time with my brother and his wife Bree. Ahtens is the home of UGA -me & Mark's alma mater (who didn't know that already ; ) All over Athens they have painted bulldawgs which are 'themed'. It's neat to see - they didn't have them when I was in school....

While there we hooked up with one of my best friends from college who lives close to Athens. I'm ashamed to say I hadn't seen her since college (yikes, 10+ years ago). She has two young kids about the same age as my boys - so we picked right up where we left off, but in a different 'stage' of life. It was so great to reconnect and her son Banks & Anderson hit it off perfectly.

Carter riding a decorated bulldawg

Anderson and his new buddy, Banks

Banks and Anderson getting tackled by Carter - what's wrong with this picture??

Banks has 2 UGA football uniforms - so he & Anderson donned them and played football - they had an absolute blast together! Here is me & Ashley- with big shadows across our face!

Bree made fondue for us on Saturday nite- it was DELICIOUS! We had a great time just hangin' with Ryan & Bree - we haven't been able to spend much time with them since we moved to VA outside of holidays, so it was great to get some quality time with them...

Carter was worn out after our trip!

Build a Friend....

Anderson had his very 1st field trip a few weeks ago - his class went to 'Build-A-Bear' at the mall and they were able to pick out a new friend. I'm not really sure what was educational about this trip, but whatever - Anderson enjoyed it! He picked out a bunny and named him Alex. I later realized that he picked the bunny because Carter sleeps with a bunny everynite. Alex is getting 'stuffed'...

Alex is getting his first bath and rub down

Meet Alex!