Winter lingers on....

This is the view I saw when I woke up this morning.

No, this is not my house.

I was on a MOPS steering team retreat.

Absolutely gorgeous.

Winter wanted to remind us that he is still here.

And I was okay with that.

As long as it melts tomorrow.

What not to do

I thought I was being efficient with my time.

Preparing for the MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) breakfast the night before.

I decided the make deviled eggs.

As well as other yummy breakfast casseroles.

That is where my mistake happened.

It's ten o-clock.

I've been in the kitchen for a couple hours.

I decided to put all 18 egg shells down the garbage disposal.

Big mistake!

Kinda like when I tried a pot full of cooked spaghetti noodles down the drain.

You would think I would learn.

Anyway, my kitchen sink is out of order.

Until my cute handyman comes to my rescue (my husband).

So now I have a load of dishes,

that need to be used this afternoon

for my next round of baking.

So I did what any resourceful girl does.

I washed them in the bathtub.

Now I'm off to bake cookies with my daughter. - Jen

Firsts

I love doing things for the first time with my kids.

We went to a bowling birthday party this weekend,

and it was the first time my little ones had ever bowled.

Okay, my son bowled at age two,

but he doesn't recall.

They enjoyed it immensely.
And my daughter.....
well she acts as if she doesn't even have that splint on.

Before the bowling party, my son had stated for his next birthday,

he wanted to go to "Pump it Up."

But now he thinks a bowling party sounds like a lot of fun.

Out takes

Just because these expressions make me smile.

Proving that photo shoots are not all perfect smiles and poses,

but fun filled with a full range of emotions.

Grandmas and grandbabies have a special relationship, a special bond.

Even before the babies are born, grandmas prepare for this intimate relationship.

For some it is seen by the stitching of a quilt.

Hours and hours are labored as grandma wonders about this special baby to be.
The passing of an heirloom, made with thoughtful hands.

A treasured gift for the family to share.

Happy Love Day

Here is a family that I had a photo shoot a few weeks ago.

We made special Valentine's cards and collages for their family and friends.

Spread the love. Let the people that you cherish know how you feel today. - Jen

Friendship

I have enjoyed watching my children develop friendships.

They are naturals at it.

My son prefers to have one to two close friends that he absolutely adores

while my daughter is friendly to whomever will let her.

Watching them makes me reflect on my own cherished friendships.

You know the ones...

The friends that you hold dear

Because they love you despite your flaws.

The ones that you can be completely transparent with, without fear of rejection or ridicule.

The friends that transcends time or place.

The ones that you can pick up the phone after months of silence, but by the conversation it seems as if only a day has passed.

The friends that know you so well that they can easily tug at your heart strings.

The ones that know your intentions despite your exact opposite behaviors.

I truly hold dear to my friends; they are precious,

even when most are miles away.

My prayer for my children is that they will choose their friends wisely.

Friends that love and honor God.

Friends that bring joy to their soul.

That is my prayer. - Jen

Stress Fracture

This is what happens when my three year old decides to jump off a coffee table. Thankfully, it was a small break.

When discussing the incident with a friend, my girl replied, "I crewed (screwed) up."

When asked if she will jump off the coffee table again, she stated in a very serious tone, "It's not a good idea."

Despite the injury, my girl is still full of joy as usual!

Life style change

Here are the many indicators that I needed a lifestyle change (exercise and diet).

1. When telling my doctor that I thought I needed to lose 10 pounds, she looked at me and stated "no you need to lose 20."
2. When a girlfriend of mine saw a picture of me during my honeymoon years, she stated "my you were TINY."
3. When I am currently wearing my "post baby jeans."
4. When two years ago I decided to buy a size larger in jeans convincing myself that it would only be temporary. I still am wearing them.
5. When I put on my jeans, some unsightly flab rolls over onto the jeans. Was that TMI?

So I took action. I enrolled in jazzercise and been doing a modified weight watchers. (Calling my sister and asking how many points each food has that I am about to eat.)

Its almost been two weeks. I love jazzercise. I haven't had any winter blues since my enrollment which is an added bonus. Plus my little girl loves playing "jazzercise instructor" and dances around the house. So much fun to watch.

But here is my question? I haven't lost a single pound.
Not one.
How can that be?
I have been to jazzercise 7 times in the past week and half.
I have not had any Sonic 44 Dr. Peppers. It had been my daily morning intake.
I have cut my food intake down significantly.

Maybe I'm delusional.
While I am jazzercising I look at the instructors and think I'm their size.
Then reality hits.
I look at myself in the mirror.
Ugh.
Will I ever get down to the size I once was?