Gobble Gobble Gobble

Thanksgiving.  A mere 4 days from now.  THANKSGIVING.  How did it get here again so quickly?

The family and I are headed up to Vermont Wednesday morning.  It will be great fun to see everyone.  But of course, with four little kids, any sort of trip requires planning of some magnitude.

I have done some grocery shopping, made lists, that have lists, gotten the roof top carrier down (thanks Jase!) and I have a staging area in the garage. 

I am so ready for some turkey, pecan pie, candied yams(!!!!) and some other yummy goodies.  I will also being hiking the mountain quite a bit so I can enjoy these treats!! 

Aside from the mind numbing, yummy food displays of Thanksgiving, it is a time for me to take stock of my life. 

I have so many things to be grateful for in my life.  Not only are my necessities taken care of, I have been blessed by so much more.  I am reminded in this time of year, of how much I am  truly blessed!   In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, I am particularly grateful for my necessities.  Just having a roof over my head and electricity is phenomenal!  I LOVE electricity!  Love it!!! 

I could go on and on about all the blessings God has heaped upon my family, but it would be a never ending list!  So I decided to make a Top Ten list of things I am thankful for this year!

10.  Watching Old Episodes on Netflix of Saturday Night Live (Spartan Spirit!!)

9.    That Elijah has learned and FORGOTTEN the phrase "Here, pull my finger!"

8.    That Tessa goes immediately back to sleep after throwing up in the middle of the night!  After being cleaned up, of course!!

7.    That I have managed (mostly) to not scream like a woman possessed when Ava employs the "body bump" during moments of tantruming...

6.     Levi sleeping through the night....AGAIN!!!  Wooo!  Woooo!!

5.     Skinny Cow!  All things skinny cow!!

4.     DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIET Coke..."girl you know it's true....oooh oooh oooh, I love you." 

3.     Facebook:  Trauma, Drama and more!  But seriously, I love keeping in touch with my friends and family on it!!

2.     A cell phone that answers phone calls from my sister and sends back an automated text that says "I'm driving right now!"  Yes- that really happened!

1.     The fact that my children aren't scarred for life, especially on days when I try to put Levi's pacifier in Tessa's mouth, put the milk in the pantry and then laugh like an idiot when I realize how scattered I've become!!

I pray that you have as  many fun an crazy things to be thankful for this year!  And always keep the faith...because God has big plans for you friends!!  Happy Thanksgiving!!

Healthy happens...with hard work.

So, I am doing a Biggest Loser Competition with my sister and some friends.  Week 2 weigh in is tomorrow and I am seriously doubting that there will be any movement on my scale.  It's been a weird week.  I am watching my portion sizes mainly.  I have come in under my calorie goals a few times.  But I just tell myself that a slow and steady weight loss means that I will be able to maintain it, right?

I have lost 9 lbs since september.  And I am determined to keep on going.  I have really only been actively trying to lose since NOV 1st, so some of that weight loss was a nice surprise!

I have been walking.  I try to go everyday, but that just isn't always possible. 

I don't have anything life changing to say today.  Just keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  Cause this is such a massive thing, I can not do it alone. 

Got any good recipes?  Tips?  Hints?  Exercises?  Or just encouragement?

I'll take all I can get!!

Thanks friends.

Skinny Bits: {giveaway} Yonanas Ice Cream Treat Maker

Skinny Bits: {giveaway} Yonanas Ice Cream Treat Maker: Yonanas instantly turns over-ripe bananas and frozen fruit into a delicious and healthy soft-serve treat. Perfect for everyone from chil...

I would make the "Elvis"  Peanut butter and banana!  My kids love both and it's a great way to have a special treat with good for you ingridients!

email: inshockmom@gmail.com

What am I teaching my children?

So this morning before 8 a.m. it was like World War III.  Mercy me. 

After finishing getting dressed, I came downstairs and it was an attack.  "Mommy, I did not!"  "Yes, she did!"  *CRY*  *high pitch whining*  And so on and so forth. 

But in what I overheard, I know Ava was trying to tell Elijah how to behave and when he wouldn't listen to his sister, I heard the frustration and anger in her voice. 

When she calmed down, I asked her if I was teaching her how to be angry.  She immediately said NO!  But then she said I don't know.  Part of that was that she thought she might not be in trouble if she thought I was to blame.  Smart cookie.  Part of her was thinking about it.

I told her that I know I am  not always calm and rational when I am frustrated. And that I was really sorry if I was teaching her the wrong way to respond when frustrated.  But it really made me think; how much of my personality and actions, the good, the bad and the ugly, my children learn from me.  I want to teach them how to properly express their feelings.  And this morning, man, they weren't even close! 

I pray that I become better at self control so that I can teach it to my children without saying word.  I want them to be full of Grace and willing to extend the benefit of the doubt to others.  I'd love for them to think the best of others despite society telling us we need to be wary of others and of them "using" us.  I want them to know that they have a lot to offer this world.  And that God loves them and extends them Grace.  And that he thinks they are able to change the world...one life, one smile, one helping hand at a time. 

So yes, today, this morning I was thinking "Oh great!  What am I teaching my kids?"  But after thinking on it most of the day, I've come to realize that the better question is what are my kids teaching ME???

I'll tell you:

Grace
Unconditional Love
Mercy
Humor
Frustration
Patience
Innocence
Laughter
Silliness
Sweetness
Sorrow
Fear
Discipline
Self Control
Pride
Integrity
Selfless Service
Honor
Faith
Confidence
Joy
Hope
Caring
Sharing

I could go on and on I am sure.  But what I know tonight what I have really learned is that I am blessed beyond measure!