Power Thought of the Day

Every though I think is creating my future

The universe totally supports every thought I choose to think and believe. I have unlimited choices about what I think. I CHOOSE balance, harmony, and peace, and I express it in my life.

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LOVE IT!! Well said:-)

Weekly Meal Plan

This week we are keeping it simple...we have LOTS going on but can still eat at home:-) My son has decided all of the sudden that he wants to be a vegetarian. When he told me this almost a week ago I just laughed....but he is sticking to it so far. He will eat seafood...but no beef, pork or chicken. I am going to try to incorporate a few meals that will help him in his quest:-)

Monday: Spaghetti - Salad - Bread

Tuesday: Pork Chops - rice - veggies

Wednesday: Alfredo Fettuccine - salad

Thursday: Tilapia - veggies - mac-n-cheese

Friday: Tuna Casserole (new recipe) - veggies

Sat: Chicken Stir Fry (veggie only for T-man) - rice

Sunday: BLT's - Soup

Weekly Goals 3-29-10

This week I am going to try, once again to get back on track. I have so much stuff going on at home, work, Thomas...etc. It's been a little overwhelming...but I am hangin' in there!

1. NO SMOKING YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!

2. Stick to budget

3. Exercise at least twice this week

4. Portion control

5. Start making plans for repairs on the house before we move out

6. LOTS of water

7. Take vitamins daily!!

8. Bed no later than 11pm

9. Read more.scrap more

10. Take some online photography classes

Weekly Goal Results 3-22-10

1. NO SMOKING!!!!!! Stress isn't an excuse to smoke! - Stress is NOT a reason to smoke....but I smoked more this week then I have in months....I am going to tray again this coming week...to get myself back in control!

2. Exercise at LEAST 3 times this week! - I didn't exercise ONCE this week...ugh...

3. Stick to Menu Plan...NO questions asked:-) - I stuck to it a few days...then we ate out...UGH!

4. Stick to budget! - Other then eating out...I did ok here:-)

5. Keep up with spendings - Every penny!!

6. Work on more scrap projects - Yep...I have been working on a few things:-) Hope to get them finished this coming week!

7. Bed before 11pm - Every night except one...couldn't sleep...I tried though:-)

8. Work with T-Man and get him back on track for the last quarter of school - Working with him:-) He is a good child....13 just isn't an easy age:-(

9. Finish at least one of the 3 books I am reading:-) - Still working on this...enjoying all of them!

10. Keep an open mind on buying a home:-)- We sure DID and it paid off!!!! We bought a house...and close on May 26th!!! SOOOO EXCITED!!

WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you know how long I have dreamed of buying my first home? I knew that Joel and I would do it one day...but had no idea it would all happen this soon. Wow! Our lives have changed so much in the past few years. I am not a very religious person...but I know that God had a big part in all of this:-) Joel and I started looking to purchase a home about 3 months ago. We had NO idea what we wanted and had NO idea where we wanted to live. We knew that we wanted to be closer to his kids so he can be more involved in their lives...but at the same time we want to stay close enough to my family, Thomas's school and my work.Boy...that's not as easy as we thought it would be. We FINALLY narrowed down our search to Arlington, Mansfield and Grand Prairie.

I would have to say that Joel had a much harder time looking at houses then I did. I thought it was fun...he hated almost every house we looked at for one reason or another. We found one that we both liked and decided to put an offer on it. It was a short sale so we knew that it would be MONTHS before anything happened with this one and decided to keep looking. Then we found another one that we really liked. It had everything that we wanted....after putting in an offer the sellers basically played with us to see how much money they could get out of us...We didn't like the way that was going so we decided to keep looking. Only a few weeks later we found this house online. Joel wanted to put an offer on it the day we fund it online before we had even looked at it. He is so funny! He just KNEW it was the one.

We called our WONDERFUL Realtor, Tonya and she scheduled a showing for that house in two days after seeing it online. We drove out to look at it and Joel and I knew the second we walked in the house that we wanted it....it was the one!!! There are a few things that need to be done to it...but doesn't have to be done right away! I am IN LOVE with the wood floors, the kitchen and the master suite area! Thomas will basically have his own apartment upstairs with a bedroom, bathroom and game room, Haley and Brenden will FINALLY have their own rooms on the opposite side of the house from the master....and Joel will have not one...but TWO garages. He can't believe it!!! He is a simple man.....all he has wanted his whole life is to have a garage...well he has it now!!! and doesn't have to share it with ANYONE...We will use the 2 car garage for our cars, lawn equipment..etc...and the second 1 car garage will be Joel's man cave!!!! He will be in heaven...not sure that I will ever see him again! Oh...did I even mention that the house has a beautiful pool and back patio area that is GREAT for entertaining. Joel and I knew that we wanted a house that would be great for entertaining...and I am not sure what's better then a pool for entertaining in the hot Texas summers!!!

Gosh...this is really it! It's really happening. I can't begin to tell the emotions that I am feeling. I am sooo excited, nervous, proud, scared, curious, pumped!!!!!!

Here are a few pics of the house. Once we get in and start setting it up our way I will post new pics...until then...this is what we have!!!

The Great Wolf Lodge

We took Haley and Brenden to The Great Wolf Lodge. It's a really cool hotel that has an indoor water park. We all had a BLAST!!

Weekly Meal Plan

Sunday - Chicken Taco Salad or burritos

Monday - Poor Mans Meal and Cornbread

Tuesday - Ranch Tilapia, rice and peas

Wednesday - Spaghetti, salad, bread

Thursday - BLT's and tomato soup

Friday - PIZZA night with the kids:-)

Sat - Fettuccine Alfredo, salad, bread

Sunday - Pork Chops, Rice, broccoli and cheese

Weekly Goals 3-22-10

Ok...Spring Break is OVER! It was a great week and I totally slacked on everything...but that's ok. That was kind of the plan:-) Joel and I have LOTS going on right now. We are in the process of buying a home which we are learning can be a little stressful. We know that it will all work out though:-)

1. NO SMOKING!!!!!! Stress isn't an excuse to smoke!

2. Exercise at LEAST 3 times this week!

3. Stick to Menu Plan...NO questions asked:-)

4. Stick to budget!

5. Keep up with spendings

6. Work on more scrap projects

7. Bed before 11pm

8. Work with T-Man and get him back on track for the last quarter of school

9. Finish at least one of the 3 books I am reading:-)

10. Keep an open mind on buying a home:-)

Weekly Goal Results 3-15-10

1. NO SMOKING!!!!! - I had a few...dang it!

2. Exercise at least 3 times this week - Nope....I only worked out once this week...:-(

3. Portion control - I did OK at this...could still do better

4. Do a few scrap pages - I did one and it was so much fun...I need to scrap more. I always have a blast when I do it:-)

5. Work on planning the reception - Still trying to nail down a date...then the planning will begin:-)

6. Keep up with spendings - Every Penny! GO ME!

7. Manicure/Pedicure - I am giving myself a mani/pedi tonight:-)

8. Detail my car:-) - Weather - Snow - Didn't quite have the chance to do this...maybe next weekend if it's pretty out:-)

9. Bed before 11pm - Every Night...and boy did it make a difference:)

10. Finish one of the 3 books I am reading- Still working on them:-)

Six Flags Spring Break

We took Haley and Brenden to Six Flags for Spring Break this year. We had a great time. It was REALLY packed and the lines were REALLY long so we didn't ride tons of rides...but the weather was PERFECT and we still had a great day together:-) Haley was ok with us not riding a lot of rides because she won't ride all of them anyway...and Brenden...well he would ride EVERYTHING if he were just a wee bit taller:-( Next year he will be able to ride everything...and he is sooooo excited!

Power Thought of the Day

I turn every experience into an opportunity:

Each problem has a solution. All experiences are opportunities for me to learn and grow. I am safe.

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LOVE this one...so true:-)

Utah Spring Break

Looks like Thomas and Nana are getting in one last week of skiing before the ski season is over. I hope Thomas isn't spending all of his time on his butt...LOL. I am sure he is just having to get back in the groove:-) Mama always send me pics while Thomas is there so I thought I would share them with you guys. If you didn't know...my Mom is a Yoga instructor...so that is why she is doing a warrior pose in the parking lot of Powder Mountain. I assume Tman took the picture. I can't wait to start doing yoga with Mama when she gets back:-) I sure do miss Thomas...but I know he is having a great time with his Nana!!!!

Already Dreamin'

So....It has been soooolong since I have had a bathroom with a tub. All we have in our bathroom now is a stand up shower. That SUCKS! I want to be able to relax in a bath:-) I have always thought these waterfall faucets were super cool...so this is going on my wish list for the new home that we end up purchasing:-) I started pricing them tonight and they aren't cheap...dang it....but I think they are so cool. Maybe my husband will surprise me with one as a gift (Tony...drop the hint to Joel for me:-)) Hey...you can't blame a girl for dreaming right. I don't need the one that costs $1,350.00. But...I could totally go for one that costs a few hundred bucks:-)

House Hunting:-)

Well.....after looking a A LOT of houses this is the one that has stuck with us. It fits all of our needs and it's so warm and welcoming. We just LOVE IT!! We have decided to put an offer on it...Keep your fingers crossed that we get it! I can see us living here happily for many years to come. Of course....if it's not meant to be then we are ok with that too and we will continue to look until we find the one that is meant for our family. It's so exciting that we are this close to making a major step in our lives together. Cheeeese...I can't quit cheesin'...lol. Here are a few pictures of the home....There is also 3 bedrooms (for the kiddos) and a HUGE game room upstairs that the kids LOVE. Oh...and the garage ROCKS...Joel will have a full workshop already set up with a sink, peg board, cabinets etc.... Keep your fingers crossed for us!!!!!

Weekly Meal Plan

I am going to try to stick to some type of plan this week...

Monday: Spaghetti, bread

Tuesday: GNO with my sister...Joel is making dinner for the kiddos

Wednesday: Six Flags during the day...so we will just throw something together when we get home if we are still hungry...

Thursday: Chicken Tacos

Friday: Not sure...if Brenden has a game..we will just grab something...if not I will make Fettuccine Alfredo

Sat: Out with my wonderful husband:-)

Sunday: Breakfast for dinner...mmmm!

Weekly Goals 3-15-10

This week I am not putting too much pressure on myself...It's Spring Break...the weather is getting better and I am going to enjoy myself as much as I can!!!

1. NO SMOKING!!!!!

2. Exercise at least 3 times this week

3. Portion control

4. Do a few scrap pages

5. Work on planning the reception

6. Keep up with spendings

7. Manicure/Pedicure

8. Detail my car:-)

9. Bed before 11pm

10. Finish one of the 3 books I am reading

Weekly Goal Results 3-8-10

1. NO SMOKING - Ugh...I have been sneaking a puff of Joels here and there...He has promised starting tomorrow to not smoke at home at all...It really makes it hard for me...so I plan to get back on track this week:-)

2. Walk M, W, F at work...and try working out at home Tu and Th. - I walked at work....and at home..I have also started doing a little at home like push-ups....crunches...etc. I have now lost 6 pounds....but after dinner tonight I probably gained it all back...lol!

3. Lost of water - Yes!

4. NO sodas - Not one:-) Sodas are BAD

5. Portion Control - I am doing pretty good at this...I still go overboard every once in a while...but not all of the time:-)

6. Keep tracking all of our March spendings to find ways we can save money - Every penny...

7. Put together some fun things to do over Spring Break with the kiddos - Yep:-) Lots of fun stuff planned...wish T-Man was here:-(

8. Write a letter to someone you care about - I sure didn't...I need to do this...

9. Have one night this week that is you and Thomas time:-) - Yes...we did spend a lot of one on one time together this week and it was nice:-)

10. Go to bed before 11pm and get up extra early every day this week!!! Crap...it's 10:50...time to hit the sack....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz- Yep...boy what a difference it makes...who would have thought...lol

Spring Break!

YAY!! Spring Break is here. Man...I wish I was a kid again. This is when it starts getting warm...and you can finally start doing things outside again...LOVE IT!!!!! We worked on the yard this weekend and got everything cleaned up. I worked on the house...still have a little more to do...but I am almost there. Thomas left for Utah today...he is spending the week with his Nana...skiing...hiking...etc. What fun! Joel and I have Haley and Brenden for the week. We have lots of fun stuff planned with them:-) They are going to a cool Spring Break camp during the day. There they get to do all kinds of fun stuff and meet new friends. We are taking them to Six Flags on Wednesday...fun fun!!! If the weather holds up we hope to do a little fishing too:-)

I don't get the week off work for Spring Break...but I am going to do a few things this week that I enjoy too! Joel and I are going to take a second look at a house week looked at a week ago....if we still like it as much as we think we do...we plan to put an offer on it. The other house that we put on offer on is awesome...but it's a short sale...so it could take MONTHS to see if we get it....so in the meantime we have been looking at other houses and found this one...we LOVE IT! We are going out tomorrow night to look at this house again:-) Tuesday night I am having a "girls night" with my big sister. I am really looking forward to spending some time with her. We both have so many exciting things going on in our lives right now that we have LOTS to talk about!! Sat night Joel and I have a DATE planned...dates don't happen around here much because we are always so busy...so I am really looking forward to a night alone with NO children. We will spend the day together hanging out at the house...then we are going out to dinner...after dinner we are going to watch the Motor Cross Races..FUN FUN!!! I also plan to get caught up on a little scrapbooking this week-) I have lots of great pages I want to do...just haven't had time to do them...

Well...that's pretty much my week in a nut shell...I hope you all have a wonderful Spring Break as well!!!

One reason we need a new house soon:-)

There are many reasons that we need a new home. We have outgrown the one we are in...and we really want to purchase a home of our own:-) But...another reason we really need a new home is so Joel can see the shoes he is putting in when he gets dressed in the morning:-) LOL!!! Joel has to be at work earlier then I do...so most mornings I am still in bed when he is up getting ready. Our closet is in our bedroom not our bathroom...so he usually gets dressed in the dark...trying not to wake me:-) Which I must say is pretty smart...because I am NOT a morning person:-) One of our MUST HAVES is a closet in the bathroom of our new home...so Joel can get dressed with some lights and and not have this problem again.

Joel was at work for almost an hour before he realized that he had two different shoes on. I am sure the guys at work had fun with this one. LOL...Too funny!!!

Just another reason we need to find a NEW home!!!

Seeing Some Results...FINALLY!

So....I have been trying to get back into shape for a while now. It's not very easy to do....why is it easier to get out of shape then it is back into shape? UGH! It's really hard to do when you have to be patient and WAIT to start seeing results. Well...it's finally starting to pay off. I have really been watching what I eat. I still eat the stuff that's not good for me...I just go easy on the portions. Now that I have started to see results it's just pushing me to work harder:-) I have lost 4 pounds...I know that's not a lot...but it's a start. Heck..it's better then gaining weight:-) Once I get the weight off that I want to lose I will be able to start working on toning my body. It is really becoming easier to eat more of the good stuff and less of the bad. Once you eat good for a while your body doesn't like the other crap. I am going to work harder at eating even less of the bad stuff and more of the good. My plan is to eventually not even want the bad stuff....well....maybe not want it as much. My weakness isn't sugar or sodas....it's those darn carbs...I LOVE THEM!!!!

Anywho...just thought I would share my health journey a little. It's really starting to pay off and I feel great! I am not where I want to do yet...but I am well on my way! GO ME:-)

Weekly Menu:

Monday: BLT Sandwiches and Tomato Soup

Tuesday: Chicken Tacos

Wednesday: Jambalaya, peas, salad

Thursday: Grilled Chicken, fried corn, salad

Friday: Chili, Cornbread

Sat: Fettuccine Alfredo, salad, bread

Sunday: Burgers, chips and baked beans

Weekly Goals 3-8-10.

1. NO SMOKING

2. Walk M, W, F at work...and try working out at home Tu and Th.

3. Lost of water

4. NO sodas

5. Portion Control

6. Keep tracking all of our March spendings to find ways we can save money

7. Put together some fun things to do over Spring Break with the kiddos

8. Write a letter to someone you care about

9. Have one night this week that is you and Thomas time:-)

10. Go to bed before 11pm and get up extra early every day this week!!! Crap...it's 10:50...time to hit the sack....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Weekly Goal Results 3-1-10

It was a good week. Was I perfect?? Uh...no...but it was still a great week:-)

1. NO SMOKING - I had one:-(

2. Keep track of March Spendings (EVERY PENNY) - Yep....we spend A LOT of money....and keeping track of it on paper...really shows the areas that we can easily save lots of money!

3. No sodas - I had a sprite at dinner tonight...but that's it

4. Low budget dinners (that are still yummy) - Yep!

5. Walk at work (Mon, Wed & Fri) Gym - (Tu, Th & Sa) I walked M, W, F at work...but didn't work out at the gym...I am thinking that might be another area I can save some money...and just work out at home...not sure yet

6. Portion Control - track calories - I am been doing very well at this:-) Go me...

7. Lots of water - Oh yeah

8. Scrap Page ( finish the bridal shower book) Didn't even start on this...dang it

9. Focus on what me and Joel talked about (personal stuff... I won't bore you will details) - Yes...I am working really hard on this and it's really paying off:-)

10. Finish and mail Loris pics...and work on Thomas Basketball Team Pics!! Almost finished!

Did you know........

I am not sure about you...but I think that if you order a salad at a restaurant in place of what you REALLY want....then it should be worth the sacrifice right? Well think again people! Check this out!! I was amazed when I saw this ad...so I just had to share it with you guys. It will make you think twice of turning down that burger for a "healthy" salad.

#6. Quizno’s Honey Mustard Chicken Regular Chopped Salad920 calories65 g fat (20 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)1,685 mg sodium

#5. Romano’s Macaroni Grill Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Salad960 calories16 g saturated fat1,990 mg sodium49 g carbohydrates

#4. Chili’s Quesadilla Explosion Salad1,400 calories88 g fat (26 g saturated)2,370 mg sodium

#3. Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad with Oriental Vinaigrette1,430 calories

#2. Cheesecake Factory Caesar Salad with Chicken1,513 calories16 g saturated fat1,481 mg sodium23 g carbohydrates

#1. California Pizza Kitchen Waldorf Chicken Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing (full)1,570 calories30 g saturated fat2,082 mg sodium

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay away from these salads...I love the Chili's Quesadilla salad....but not for that many calories...and the sodium...geez!!

Pizza Night!

Joel was off riding his dirt bike tonight...so Thomas and I made it a pizza night. I am not sure if you have ever tried I Fratelli's Pizza....but if you live in Dallas and you haven't tried it...oh boy...it's really tasty! Now...this you might find strange...but it's really good with a big glass of cold milk! I LOVE milk with pizza. I guess it's because I am not a soda fan...who knows...but I think they go great together and so does Thomas:-) We hung out and chatted about the latest news...school...weekend plans with his friends...etc! Great dinner with Thomas. Then I had to break out my FAVORITE kitchen item. Yes...it weighs in at about 150 lbs (ok...not quite...but the think is freakin' HEAVY!) My Kitchen Aid Mixer! LOVE this thing....but really don't get a chance to use it very much. If you look closely at the bowl in the picture you can see my sweet Bella girl...LOL...she walked in front of me as I took the picture and her reflection showed up in the bowl...too fun! Anywho...I am using the mixer to make YUMMY cake balls to take to work...and Joel is going to take some to his work as well. The recipe and pics will be on my food blog later tonight:-) www.simplyum.blogspot.com

The Hurt Locker

Joel rented this movie the other night. I wasn't very thrilled about watching another war movie....but turns out...Joel fell asleep before it was over and I couldn't quit watching it. It really grabbed me. If you haven't seen it...you need to. It's a great movie. I couldn't even begin to imagine what it would be like at war. I have seen a lot of war movies but this one seemed so realistic to me. I felt what they were feeling while watching the movie. It was deep....and the guys had been changed so much by war...that is became their normal....quite sad actually:-( Here is a little more info on the movie. Check it out!

An intense portrayal of elite soldiers who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world: disarming bombs in the heat of combat. When a new sergeant, James, takes over a highly trained bomb disposal team amidst violent conflict, he surprises his two subordinates, Sanborn and Eldridge, by recklessly plunging them into a deadly game of urban combat. James behaves as if he's indifferent to death. As the men struggle to control their wild new leader, the city explodes into chaos, and James' true character reveals itself in a way that will change each man forever.

My World.......

Well...I am getting back on track and it feels great. Of course some things will never be perfect. Today...I was getting ready to take my walk on my lunch break. I drank lots of water in the morning...ate a healthy breakfast...had my heart rate monitor on...put on my ipod and headed out the door. When I turned on my ipod it was dead...dang it! It was still a great walk. Let's just say it was a little boring. I did burn 102 calories on a short brisk walk. Hey....that's better then nothing.

Joel and I are officially putting an offer in on the house we REALLY want today. We are super excited but will continue looking. There was another offer already accepted before ours....but hey...you never know! We will keep our fingers crossed and know that if it's meant to be then it will be ours. If not...there is another more perfect house waiting for us:-)

Thomas is doing great! I just found out last week that he has made it to the district level competition in four different areas...writing, art, vocabulary and spelling! This is great news!!! He will be one of the few students representing his school at the district meet on March 27th! If he gets 1st or 2nd in any of his competitions then he will go so state! Thomas is so smart! I am very proud of him and look forward to supporting him at the district meet! GO THOMAS!!!!!!!!

Spring Break is just around the corner. Thomas will be in Utah skiing with his Nana (lucky). Joel and I will have Haley and Brenden all week. We are going to do some fun stuff with them while they are with us. I am looking forward to it. Hopefully the weather will be warm enough for some fishing! The kids LOVE to fish:-)

Looking forward to the weekend. Sat night is our monthly "family cookout". This month it's going to be at Evy's house. That's always a blast:-) Then Sunday night is Girls Night Out! YAY! I am REALLY looking forward to some good girl time...good food and conversation with some of my favorite people. It really doesn't get much better then that! I am blessed!

Well...that's a tid-bit on what's going on in my world. I hope you all have a wonderfully blessed day!!!

Haley's 12th B-Day

Haley's B-Day was Feb 15th. I am a little behind in my blogging...but figured I still needed to get this up:-) I can't believe Haley is already 12!! It seems like I met her yesterday...she was only 8...and a little bitty thing. She has grown up so much. She is turning into a young lady. It won't be long before she is heading off to college. Gosh...they grow up way too fast:-) She has been begging us to have her B-Day party at Incredible Pizza for a few years now...so we decided to do it. It was PACKED with lots of screaming children....but other then that it was lots of fun for the kids. They have decent food and TONS of games, rides and miniature golf for the kids. Joe and I are glad she had a great party this year. HAPPY B-DAY HALEY!!! I have lots more pics...will post them soon!!

Power Thought of the Day

I let go of all expectations:
I flow freely and lovingly with life. I love myself. I know that only good awaits me at every turn.

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Like this one...funny that we are trying to by a house now...what's meant to be will be right? :-)

Weekly Meal Plan

Some of these will be repeats of last week...because I was totally lazy and didn't cook like I usually do:-) Some will be new...and some with be regulars:-)

Monday: Spaghetti (with cream cheese...hey...this is new for me) garlic bread

Tuesday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches, chip and coleslaw

Wednesday: Jambalaya and Peas

Thursday: Chicken Quesadillas, corn on the cobb

Friday: Turkey Burgers, mac-n-cheese, veggies

Sat: Family Cookout at Evy's house:-)

Sun: Girls Night OUT!!! YAY!!! Joel and T-man will have to make their own dinner...my guess would be pizza..lol!