Biggest Loser

Wow, I have not posted anything on here in FOREVER! But I do have a good reason to post today. My friend Michelle has put together a biggest loser contest on her blog, which I think is awesome. About the time i was thinking about losing some weight and toning up for summer, she posted about it! It sounds really fun too, we can earn points by doing certain thigs (like me posting about it here on my blog) and also earn points by the percentages that we lose.

My current weight is 133, I would like to weigh 125. I don't have alot to lose, I lost 5 pounds last week, so this is the rest of my goal. My goal in all of this is to get to a size that I can say I feel comfortable in my own skin. I am a very self conscience person. I turned down a trip to Costa Rica this month because I told my husband i was not swimsuit ready...lol. Lame, I know. I have issues! I was so MAD at myself!!! But, we will go sometime soon....after my goal ;) Let the games begin!

Christmas shopping DONE!

Well, I finally got all of my Christmas shopping done! I actually had all of the kids done I just had a few of Mike's family members and my family to shop for. I usually wait until the last minute and then stress about it...lol. I went when Mike got home last night so I could go alone...its so difficult to shop with the kids or even just Sam. I get distracted.

But anyways, it still took me FOREVER! I think I am too indecisive. It took me 30 minutes to pick out candy to put in their stockings, and I only bought one small bag of candy....hahaha. Okay, I KNOW I'm indecisive. I knew I didn't want them to have too much candy, but hey they are kids and its Christmas...YES they are going to get some candy!!!

Some people think just because you let your kids have candy you feed them junk all the time....we RARELY have candy, junk, or coke around here. Actually, I am the only one that drinks cokes here unless we have a party/movie night then the kids may have a small amount. My kids are actually really good about drinking water....they could teach me a thing or two! And my 10 month old NEVER gets coke, junk, or candy just to clear that up....my neighbor has snuck him bites of donut and Mountain Dew, and I think Mike has done about the same....but im not going to freak out on them. Now, if they did it all the time I would! Actually Sam doesn't even really like table food all that much. He sticks to his formula and baby food...veggies and fruit....and he loves crackers!

Anyways, I got off topic didn't I....lol. Went off a bit. Sorry! Back to my story...not that it was much of one. Well, it took me forever to get my shopping done! I was there for like 4 hours! But, I spent much of that time standing in customer service....I dislike that place!!! I had to exchange an outfit that did not fit Bailey and it took like an hour! Then had to stand in line in photo to get my pics....stand in line in electronics to pay for the stuff I got back there...then on top of cmas shopping had to do my regular grocery shopping and pick up the items that I needed to make dinner for our church tonight!!! Then get home and Mike can't figure out what took me so long....lol. He should know by now that I take forever....a regular person could probably just go pick out their stuff...me it takes me 10 minutes to pick out what kind of bread I want....I'm not sure why I do that. I guess I think I am going to get ripped off if I don't browse the sales!!! I like to save money, with 4 kids I have to!

So, I am hoping that I don't have to go back to Wal-Mart for a while...lol. After last night I don't want to see that place again...it was crazy! But, I must say that it was nice to go and not have to worry about the kids bugging me or having to hurry. Sometimes a trip to Wal-Mart by myself is the only time alone I ever get!

Well, I am going to get off of here and get my chores done! Lots to do today!

• Regular cleaning
• Finish putting up laundry
• Clean out Rainbow
• Sam's bed new sheets
• Clean Sam's room
• Church dinner

Gymboree Great Deals- plus 10 dollars off and free shipping!

If you are needing kid clothes Gymboree is having a crrrazzzy sale! I purchased 3 pairs of nice jeans and 2 nice polo shirts for Sam and it was only 25 dollars! Some of their baby/toddler jeans were marked down as low as 6.99...and shirts as low as 2.99!!!

Plus, if you spend $30 you can get 10.00 of by entering the code FREE10.

Also, free shipping which ends Dec. 16th.

You really can't beat that...especially for nice clothing. I may go back and order for the big kids...but you can only use the code once!

Also, I meant to tell you that it is not on the Gymboree website...you have to go to their Crazy8 store....it is their marked down store. Here is the link: http://www.crazy8.com/index.jsp

Anyways, thats the only thing I have for you today!!!!

Here is what I have in store for me today:

• Daily cleaning done
• 3 loads laundry done
• Clean bathrm nope
• Wrap a few presents done
• Store...really have to go today! done
• Take Zack to get haircut done
• Pack clothes for kids to go to grandmas tonight!!! Love this chore....im sure this one will get done..lol yupp

My baby boy

Lately, I am realizing that my little Sam is getting bigger and soon won't be a baby anymore....I can't believe that he will be one in a few months!!! But he is forever my "baby" as all of my children. I have to laugh at him bc he does the silliest things lately....which make me think...he's not so much a baby anymore. That little brain is always twisting and turning. I love this stage when you can look at them and just know they are thinking and learning new skills....and doing their little tricks.

A while back he learned how to turn the bathtub water on, well yesterday he turned on the water....which i immediately turned off, i turned my head for a second and he had managed to get into the tub....but did not cry...at least till I took him out! And no, he usually is never in the bathroom...I keep the door shut...he was in there with me while I was brushing me teeth.

And he is sneaky too....if he knows I am busy doing something he will race to the front room where the stair are...and about the time I figure out he is missing....I find him half way up the stairs! But he will never do it if I am watching him....he knows I will chase him down! I have a gate I put in the kitchen but the kids sometimes forget to put it back up they can't all climb over it.

The other night I found him going for a piece of paper that was on the floor...which usually goes straight for the mouth, well everytime I find him getting trash or with it in his mouth or hand I tell him to give it to mommy....well the other night I told him to give it to mommy....and he did!!! This morning he was crawling to me and handed me a small feather that he found on the floor!!! Now, if it is something good...thats another story...lol. He found a cracker and immediatly went racing in the other direction....hahaha. Not to say that he won't eat random things that he finds on the floor again...he's still a little vacumme! It just surprised me up that he is beginning to listen to me....and understand some of the things that I tell him. Even though I have 3 other kids you forget when they start doing these things....and it warms my heart everytime he learns something new!

So anyways....I had to blab before I get to my day.

Here's my list for today:

• 1 load of laundry done
• regular daily cleaning done
• wrap a few presents done
• write my lesson plan for Mission Friends done
• Load up Pamperd Chef products to deliver done
• Go to the store nope

Random thoughts

Brrrrrr its getting cold out there today! It kinda makes me want to curl up and take a nap! Sounds nice, Sam is napping and its very quiet...except for the wind....its crazy out there. Last night we had a small lightening storm, and it was a peaceful storm. But, it did remind me that COLD was coming....which I never like. When it is cold I am like a bear in hybernation.....i stay in as much as possible! I guess bears stay in their homes all the time....but you catch my drift.....I dislike the cold!

So, it looks like I won't get that "cold day nap" hahaha. I have all ready spent most of my morning checking emails and trying to get my Christmas plans and activities organized. With all of the places we go it gets so overwhelming....and I have decided if we have to miss something....oh well! That is, besides church services...can't miss that! I want to spend more of my time devoted to what Christmas is really about.

For the past few weeks I have been looking for a Christmas Devotional for us to do as a family...but one that is more child appropriate so we can do crafts and things of that nature. I found a 12 day one that I really like and it works with the time frame that we have...since Mike doesnt get home till 6, we eat dinner, and kids are in bed and showered by 8:30 we don't have much time! So, anyways thats the plan!

Also, I have noticed on a lot of blogs (getting away from my topic...sorry) some women do a daily "to do" list. And I just thought that was a great idea. I often write myself a list, but I usually lose it, the kids take my notebook, or I just forget about it. And I also thought it would be a good journaling tool to look back and see how productive I am actually being!!! I know some days my time gets lost..and then I am fustrated with myself...lol. Christy, I initially saw this idea on your page but then noticed it on many others...so thanks for the idea! Im such an idea stealer!!!!

Okay so here is my first shot at this....let's see how much I actually get done!

Laundry- 2 loads (yes, including folding/put up) Almost, I ran out of hangers!

Clean my room

Regular daily cleaning (dishes, cabinets, sweeping, pick up junk around the house). done

Cook 2 meals (tonights and Thursdays)done

Make sure kids do their chores!done

Help kids with homework done

Make kids lunches for tomorrow done

Let's see how this works out for me!!! Later!

Food Friday-Turkey Bolognese

Ever wonder what to do with all of your leftover turkey?? My husband made this one year and it was so good!!!! I couldn't find his original recipe but I found one like if off of Rachel Ray website:

Turkey Bolognese

3 pounds of left over turkey (dark meat preferably) in bite size pieces.
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
2 medium carrots (chopped)
2 onions, grated or finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, grated
Salt and black pepper
1 bay leaf, fresh or dry
2 cups chicken stock, regular or low sodium stock
2 cans crushed tomatoes (28 ounces each), regular or low sodium
1 pound whole wheat spaghetti or regular is fine
1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Romano cheese

Preparation
Bring a large pot of water to a boil for pasta. Pre-heat a large Dutch oven or deep pot over medium-high heat with about 1/4 cup EVOO, 3-4 turns of the pan. Add in the turkey. Cook till warm, then add the carrots, onions and garlic into the pot or finely chop and stir in. Season liberally with salt and pepper, add bay leaf and cook five minutes more; then stir in the stock and the tomatoes. Bring up to a bubble, then drop the heat to low and simmer while you cook another 5-6 minutes more. Salt water and cook pasta to al dente, with a bite to it. Place the pasta back into the warm pot you cooked it in. Toss pasta with cheese and two cups of the sauce. Serve pasta in shallow bowls with an extra ladle of sauce on top. Serve pasta supper with a green salad.Cool the leftover sauce and store in refrigerator.
This is one of many "Yum-o!" recipes – it's good and good for you. To find out more about Yum-o!, Rachael's nonprofit organization, go to http://www.yum-o.org/.

Just taking a break.....

Well, I don't have much of a blog for you today....mostly just me rambling because I need a break! I have been cleaning since about 7:45 and its now 1ish.....all of the kiddos are home today and on top of that I have 2 extras!

But I am glad that the kids are out of school for the rest of the week and get a break....just like I need a break sometimes so do they. And they have been helping me. Bailey helped me clean the fridge out and Zack helped me clean out the pantry. I just got done feeding them all lunch and they are playing outside....except for Sam...he is crawling around getting into just about everything he is not suppose to. I found him up one of the stairs a few minutes ago....not good.

Oh, and I still have so much to do! It took me all morning to get the fridge and pantry done...but those were big jobs, and they are all nice and organized and sanitized for now! The plan for today was to get all of my cleaning done and part of my Thanksgiving cooking done so I dont have so much to do in the morning. My family(s) are suppose to be here around noon tomorrow. And I always get major stressed if I don't have all of my stuff done how I want it done. But, I am trying my hardest not to stress.

One year some of my husbands cousins showed up early (they decided not to let us know this) and I was in my PJ's still cleaning, unshowered, unmakeuped, and just unprepared!! And they were cousins that I really didn't know that much so I was just very embarassed! I think they figured out they better call next time....hahaha. They haven't been back since....I must have scared them....I was looking pretty horrible!!!

I am excited for tomorrow. Its ONE of the few times per year that I get to see my dad and sisters. Birthdays and holidays....thats bout it. So I do enjoy getting to see them. And my sister is coming with all of her crew....needless to say our house will be crawling with kids! And then Mikes family will all be here...who I also like spending time with. Its going to be packed up in here...lol. I am estimating about 25 people (including us) give or take a few....man I better find some more chairs!!!! Oh great, I think I am making myself more stressed....I didnt realize thats how many people will be coming!!!!

Well, I better get off here and get back to cleaning. I suppose I have slacked off long enough!

Everyone have a blessed Thanksgiving and I hope you thank God for all of the wonderful things that he does in your lives. Let tomorrow be a BIG reminder for what HE does for you and your loved ones. Thank HIM!