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!!!

6 week challenge - w eek 1

Ok, so after procrastinating a while about needing to get in shape and seeing one too many bathingsuit shots, I enlisted in the 6week challenge at the Y. I wanted to sign up for the 12week challenge but they were full til next month - I didn't want to procrastinate yet again so maybe this was the Lord's gentle way telling me to 'start slow'.... Anyway, Tuesday was nite 1 - I have to work out at least 3 days a week for 6 weeks. I'm encouraged and motivated by the silly sticker chart on the wall showing my 'stars'. I have to be held accountable and somehow the stickers do the trick!! Anyway, so far so good!

Awww pickles!

Most of you mommy bloggers have seen Higglytown Heroes on Disney a time or too- you'll recognize Twinkle's phrase - "awww pickles". Well today did I ever have the opportunity to use that phrase!! As I was cleaning up from our lunch this afternoon, somehow the jar of pickles slipped from my hand and crashed onto the tile floor. Glass everywhere, pickles everywhere, green pickle juice everywhere!!!! About 30minutes later, the floor was free from all the thousand chards of glass, the green pickle juice, etc! This morning in Sunday school we were talking about praising God when something bad happens - well, my experience today wasn't very extreme, but I praised God that my boys had just gone outside and therefore were not sliced or cut by the gazillion pieces of glass, I praised God that besides having pickled feet for a few minutes, my feet were spared from injury and I also praised God that the 'scene of the crime' was far enough from my white carpet that it too was spared! Anyway, next time you come across a jar of pickles - take caution!!!

Indy date nite

Mark & I had a date nite on Friday - what a treat! Aunt Rebekah picked up the boys so Mark & I could head out early. We had dinner at TGIF - our food was pretty good, but the ambiance was pretty bad - I think I'm done with TGIF. We then headed to the movies - I think it's been 3+ years the last time I sat in the theater... We went to see the new Indiana Jones movie - Mark & I were big fans of the first 3 flics, so we were excited to be of the first to see the latest edition.

Here's the Judd review: wait til it comes out on DVD. We were both really disappointed. Some of it was very corny and forced. All in all, it was still entertaining, but I was personally sad that this is how the Harrison Ford Indiana Jones will be remembered..... Anyway, I rarely get the chance to provide a movie review, so thought I would take the opportunity!!!!

Word Verification Craziness

OK all of you high security blogger friends - Someone may have to loan me their magnifying glass to key in the crazy letters required to let me comment on your blog. I keep entering in the wrong letters and I'd like to think it's a function of the computer application and NOT the blogger (me)! All of this in good fun, but is it just me or the letters are getting harder and harder to detect? (you'll notice that I declined to turn on the word verification!)

the Dunk!

Here are pictures from my baptism today. Thanks for all the support from friends during this special day!

Anderson asked me if I went looking for dolphins went I was dunked...... well, no buddy!!!

'Bout Time!!!!

I think I've shared with a couple friends that on Sunday (March 2nd) I'm getting baptized!! I was baptized as a child in the Episcopal church (sprinkled). I've been making excuses the last couple of years about getting baptized (never enough time, blah blah blah) - but when I saw the 'Baptism Class' advertised in the church bulletin on Sunday I decided enough excuses! Besides the obvious public profession of faith, Anderson will get to attend my baptism and I am excited that my procrastination has an amazing purpose. How awesome will it be to have my 3 year old witness my baptism! As we talk more and more to Anderson about obedience, I want to set an example for him. So to church buddies, I'll be immersed at the 9:30 service - see you on the big screen!!!!

One Word

I'm not sure I've ever blogged much about work, if at all, but most know that I work 3 days a week (now a 4th day from home) for NS. Most days I love my job. Pre-Anderson & Carter I was totally career focused gal, having my boys has changed my perspective quite a bit. I love the 2 days at home I get to spend with my boys - I get my 'stay at home mom' fix and I still have a foot in Corporate America. Anyone who knows me knows that I stay quite confused about my work-life balance and in which direction I want it to sway. Most days I think I have figured that this half-life thing I've got going on is perfect for my family. I don't think I could stay home 5 days a week, but LOVE LOVE LOVE that my work has enabled me to spend 2 days at home - I have the perfect balance though I'm usually reluctant to admit that....

At any rate, I attended a "Networking" session at lunch on Wednesday afternoon - literally, it was a session on how to become a better 'networker'. It was actually one of the best sessions I've ever been to - I actually left with a renewed energy. During the event, we were challenged to describe ourselves with 15 words.... Ok, not too hard. Then, we were challenged to encapsulate who we are in ONE WORD. Pretty hard to do. I pondered and pondered and pondered (all within 3 minutes or so) and started thinking about all the people in my life and what would be the one word they would agree on to describe me.....

1) my parents would definitely agree
2) my brother would agree
3) grandparents would agree
4) most teachers & professors would agree
5) my high-school soccer coach who called me his "coach on the field" would agree
6) my high-school cheerleading coach & squad voted me most this.....
7) my husband would likely agree
8) close friends would agree
9) peers at work would agree
10) my boss would definitely agree
11) and hopefully, most importantly, my Lord & Savior would agree

that I am, SPIRITED!!!!

Do you agree? Now, I challenge my blogging friends to find that one word that YOU feel best describes you, and please please please share in your blog!!!!! So to all the loyal bloggers, that means you Jen, Jamie, Sue, Katy, Beth, Natalie, Rebekah, and so on!!!!! I can't wait to hear about your ONE WORD!!!!