Friends

I had lunch with a good friend today. Got me to thinking about how awesome friendship is. I've got some pretty great friends - some as far back as elementary school and some as new as last week.

Here's a list of some things that I'm most thankful for:

• My friends accept me
• My friends are encouragers
• We pray for each other
• We cheer each other in our accomplishments
• Help is never far away, I just have to ask
• I can bear my soul and find understanding

Thank you dear friends.

Enjoying my life,

Mary

What are you most thankful for in your friendships?

Goals For My Weight Loss Journey

I've been a member of Weight Watchers since May, 2011. I have had some success in losing weight, but I'm not happy where I am in this stage of the game. I've met some great people at my meetings and I'm thankful for all the support that I have from my family and friends. I've been lax in setting goals and I realize that I haven't had anything specific to reach for. I have eight weeks of weigh-ins until the end of the year and have set five goals to meet by that time.

My Goals to meet by December 31, 2011 are:

1. Every day, I will track what I eat. Our WW leader challenged us last night to track every day. As incentive, we will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card at the end of the month.

2. I will meet the recommended Good Health Guidelines by drinking enough liquid, getting my healthy oils in and taking a multivitamin.

3. I will choose to eat Power Foods such as fruits, veggies, whole grains and low-fat dairy.

4. I will participate in a 5K. My WW buddies and I decided that we need to have something to work toward in getting in our activity. Another WW leader shared with us that she always registered for a 5K to help her stay motivated to exercise. We are following her example and looking for a 5K to participate in.

5. I will lose 10% of my body weight by my weigh-in On December 27. That means I have to lose 2 lbs a week.

I believe that as I meet these five goals I will have success and feel better!

Let me hear from you...what goals have you set for yourself?

Enjoying my life...

Mary

Flower Garden - A Blessing

I am so blessed.  There have been many people that have helped us get into our new house.  The lastest being the flower bed in front in our house. My Pastor's wife and friend, Laural and her sister-in-law, Kathy planted it today in the rain.  Pictures follow.  Makes me smile every time I drive into my yard.  Thank you so much Laural and Kathy!

Best compliment ever!

Recently, I signed up at emealz.com.  Emealz creates 7 meals per week based on the grocery sale papers.  I chose Publix Portion Control.  I've enjoyed not having to think about dinner.  My family is enjoying dinner too.

Tonight, I made Mexican Potatoes and served them with meat loaf.  Jonathan watched Lee prepare his potato with the sour cream/corn/cheese mixture and top with salsa.  Then wanted his fixed the same way.  While eating his potato, he said "This is a good meal.  It's better than spaghetti!"

Since spagetti is his favorite meal, I know I just got the best compliment ever!

This is Debby

My dear sister, Debby, is my child care provider this summer. What a blessing she has been to me. The boys are enjoying her too.

If you are friends with her on facebook, you can see her pictures here. They've had quite the adventures.

I don't think I'll ever be able to put into words how much I appreciate her. I hope that she knows that I love her.

5 things that I like about my new house...

1. The laundry room - I now have a room dedicated to laundry. And a new washer. In the past, I've done laundry in a college dorm, a laundry mat, my mother-in-law's house and in my bathroom.

2. Two bathrooms - no longer will I share a bathroom with my boys. If you have boys, you know what I mean.

3. Closets - there are closets in each of the three bedrooms. There is a linen closet in the hall. There is closet space in the laundry room, which I love, by the way. Each of us will have our own closet. No more sharing space.

4. Neighbors - we have good neighbors. One has already mowed the lawn just to be nice (we have since hired him to take care of the lawn).

5. The Lake - we have fishing rights. Now to learn how to fish so that I

can teach the boys.

One thing that we do not like about our move - we will be leaving Nana

and Granddaddy's neighborhood. The boys, especially Jonathan, think

that they'll never see Nana again. I am having trouble convincing him

otherwise, but I hope that this works itself out.

My mother-in-law has been instrumental in getting every thing done

and painted so that we can move. I do not think I will ever be able to

express my thanks to her sufficiently. But I hope that she knows

how much I appreciate her!

So here's to tomorrow and getting everything moved before the

rain starts!

Enjoying my life - even in this oh so stressful time of moving.

Mary

PS - click on the title and it will take you to my facebook album.

From Joel...

My little chef....

From Jonathan...

I love mother's day gifts from my sons!

Moving day!

My husband wants to start moving on Saturday, May 7 to our house on EL!  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't freaking out a litle bit. I've been focusing on painting not packing.

A friend tonight said I'd be happy we did it now after we get moved.  Like pulling of a bandaid.  I've been waiting at least 3 years for this to happen.  So I choose to enjoy this season in my life...and not stress about it.

I leave you with a pictures of the boys...

Celebrating Joel

Five years ago, I was home with a 20 month old and 37 weeks pregnant and not feeling well. My mom was out of town and so was my mother-in-law.  By Monday, I decided to check my "What to expect..." book and discovered I could be in labor. So called the doctor who said to go to the hospital. I had to wait for Lee to finish at work and find someone to keep Jonathan since both grandmothers were out of town.  Our Pastor came and got Jonathan and rode around town for a couple of hours until Nana got home.

I was dehydrated when I got to the hospital so the plan was to get hydrated and go home. My cervix started changing so we planned on a c-section.  At 5:15 pm on April 24, 2006, Joel arrived 19 days early.  After 5 days in the hospital, we were able to bring him home. He had to be on oxygen because he had fluid on his lungs.  Now he is a healthy 5 year old and I give God praise that Joel has had no residual affects from it.  I also praise God for healing me from endometriosis and for blessing us with two precious boys!

Halleluah! He is risen! Happy Easter!

Something missing...

Tonight when I got Joel, 4 almost 5 years old, out of the tub, I noticed something in his mouth. So I took a look. Much to my surprise I found something missing...a tooth. We didn't even know that it was loose and we don't know where it is now.  After I finished crying...yes I cried...I took a picture.  At which time, Joel asked me to post it on facebook.  Then we called Nana, Grandma and Aunt Judy.  Loosing that first tooth is a right of passage for a child.  But for this mama I'm still in shock and not quite ready for this one.

Proud of Jonathan!

My son is talented artistically. The teachers show off the kids artwork in the hall and I was impressed by this display. All of the class had a positive statement by their kites. Of course, I will spotlight my son. He's good at math too! :-)

Android App

I just downloaded the Android App for Blogger.  Maybe I'll post more. I hope so. My problem, I've discovered, is my thoughts refuse to exit through my fingers.

We recently went to the Azalea Festival in Valdosta. The boys walked on water.

Meet my friends...

One thing I enjoy doing is quilting.

Here are two of my friends that help me:

Meet "Slick" - the handy dandy sewing machine.

and "Roller Blade" - the rotary cutter.

Here are some of the projects we've worked on together:

Jonathan's Quilt

Joel's Quilt

Emma's Quilt

My Tote Bag

My first finished wall hanging

I look forward to many more projects that we will finish together!

Tenth Avenue North - You Are More

There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide

She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight

She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try

But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You've been remade
You've been remade.
You've been remade.
You've been remade.

Take a Chance Challenge 3

I've been reading more lately...expanding my reading horizon. I want to participate in this reading challenge this year. It looks like a lot of fun and doesn't require too much thought, because Jenners has done all the work. :)

official rules

Here are some of the details for the 2011 version of the challenge. If you want to know the complete challenge rules, please click on the link above.

Basic Information

• The concept of the challenge is to take chances with your reading by finding books to read in unusual or random ways. 10 different ways to find books are listed below. Feel free to complete at many as you want. However, anyone completing all 10 challenges by December 31, 2011 will be entered in a prize drawing to win a book of their choice from Amazon.

• The challenge will run from January 1, 2011 until December 31, 2011.

• Crossover books from other challenges is fine. You can read books in any format.

• On January 1, 2011, Jenners will post pages for each of the 10 challenges so you can link up your completed posts.

My 2011 Challenges Results

1: Staff Member’s Choice:

2: Loved One’s Choice:

3: Blogger’s Choice: Room by Emma Donoghue

4: Critic’s Choice:

5: Blurb Book:

6: Book Seer Pick:

7: What Should I Read Next Pick :

8: Which Book Pick:

9: LibraryThing Pick:

10: Pick A Method:

Happy Reading!!