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It's that time again! New Year's Resolutions! Why not do something that has proven success and is designed to help you change your health forever!

ChaLEAN Extreme

We're having a Launch Party to tell people more about this...

Working The Crowd

Alright, I have to post about this. Too funny! Last night, Jake and I went to the Highland Village Tree Lighting. It was very crowded. We started walking around and Jake wanted to find his friends. He found one friend and then wanted to find more. It was like he was "Working the crowd". So cute! He found 5 friends and was so proud. Here are some pics of my social butterfly. Wonder where he got that?

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

I'm not kidding. The natural light actually shone on baby Jesus like this. So cool!

I liked this ornament...

So, I had to post some pictures of decorating yesterday.
These art pieces are made by our family. Each year we make a new one. These are years 2003-2006.

We had a dinner last night for the adult leaders of the high school small group that meets at our house every Sunday night. Like the candles on the table? Jeffrey got them from his work. In college, we used to buy these from the "Ghetto" HEB.

Cookies! We had fun with the neighbors making cookies today! It was a great way to start off the season! (notice this year's art work that is in progress)


I'll post more pictures soon!

To Copy Corrie...

"This was the opening video for our Student Fall Retreat called "You've Got Talent." Everyone is asking what inspired this. Here is goes... 1) We needed a great opening video that caught everyone off guard, and set the the tone for the weekend. 2) With this idea in mind, we thought we could use this video as a great object lesson about media choices (kinda creepy hearing your grandparents sing some of this), and 3) this has been a GREAT transgenerational culture experiment. It has totally bridged a gap with our Senior adults and our students. Hope you enjoy!"
Not sure what church but OH MY!

Meet Frosty

Well, as you may remember, Eli is no longer with us. After 8 months of not having a dog, we finally decided to take the plunge into dog ownership 1 more time. This time, we decided to go the "Rescue" route.
Because of our allergies, we had to get a hypoallergenic dog. That made the choices slimmer. So, after looking on Petfinder, we found the "Perfect" dog...FROSTY!
We called the Rescue, filled out an Application, they called us with an "interview", and then we had a "Meet and Greet". Seriously! It is a DOG!

(Ummm...he doesn't like his picture taken. I'm not kidding! He gets real scared when I take out the camera and turns his head! I gave up trying to get a good picture.)
Frosty is a 2 years old, white Schnauzer. He is house trained, neutered, doesn't bark, and super sweet...almost too sweet. (Be prepared to be kissed, though...yuck!)
We have had a great transition! I had no clue that having a dog could be so nice! This is why people get dogs! I know...we are crazy!

Has It Been A Month Already?

I can't believe I haven't blogged in a month! Crazy!
We had Field Day/Jog-a-thon, Halloween, Jeffrey's Birthday, Melissa in town and hanging with Beachbody Coaches, Jake Dresses as a Teacher, We got a new DOG (Frosty), Thanksgiving Feast at school, Will's Thanksgiving performance, end of soccer and football...whew!
I'm going to post in pictures since there is so much I've missed...

October Is Birthday Month

Yes, I like to celebrate the whole month as my birthday...
Here is a pic of a fun lunch with my friends today at Patrizzio's. We had a blast and they gave me sweet gifts! I am blessed with great friends!

Big D and Insecurity

It happened to me again! I left my house thinking I looked so cute and stylish. I get to Houston's Restaurant to meet my friends (the one on Northwest Hwy and Preston in REAL Dallas), and immediately feel like a frumpy, suburban mom. I might have well had on "Mom Jeans"...seriously! This happened to me several years back when I met them at Highland Park Village. I felt like I was in LA and at any moment I would run into my favorite A List Star!
It is another world down there. Here is suburbia, I am always thinking how overly blessed we are and feel guilty for all we have. Yesterday, I felt POOR. What? I know! Can you say "SIN"? It brought back a lot of insecurities I had from my growing up.
My dad was a minister and my mom was a teacher. We weren't rich and we lived in a townhouse...a very nice one. My parents always provided over and beyond our needs and wants. However, my friends were daughters of doctors, lawyers, etc. So, there was no comparison. My parents always managed for me to have a new outfit for special occasions but I knew what a sacrifice it was for them. I always felt a little different.
Fast forward 20 years, those feelings came up again. Weird! Obviously, I have some sin in my life. Jealousy? Envy? What is it?
I really prayed for forgiveness yesterday. I want to be content in my surroundings and who I am in Christ.
I love it in Dallas...I love the shopping, the restaurants, and the fast paced life. But, for some reason, God has me in suburbia. I kind of was sad about it but realized that GOD knew what I needed. He knew I could not have handled "Dallas" and it would have been a distraction for me from Him...not that suburbia doesn't have enough distractions of it's own.
At 35, I thought I had dealt with this sin in my life. Ugh! Isn't it funny how it likes to rear it's ugly head again?

H-Town B-day Extravaganza

Yes, I am now 35 years old. How is it that I am 35 but feel 25? Weird!
Anyway, my birthday started on Thursday night with a "surprise" birthday dinner with my boys. They were so stinkin' cute! They pretended that we were going to Pei Wei, changed clothes, and "tricked" me...they actually took me to Houston's...my all time favorite restaurant.
Here are some pictures of their Birthday Surprise Dinner:




On Friday, after breakfast with "my man" at Corner Bakery, I headed to H-town. Gosh...I HATE that drive! Anyway, I met my brother at Cafe Express and he surprised me with Cupcakes from CRAVE...oh, yum!
(Notice...this was NOT a TEAM BEACHBODY weekend)
After lunch, we walked around the mall until I met my mom at the Hotel Derek.




We checked in, visited and then headed to Lupe Tortillas. We met John Mark, Laura, and dad at Empire Cafe that night for coffee. I am sad they are moving! :(
On Saturday, we met Laura and her mom, Kay, at Nordstrom's Spa for Pedicures. Don't our toes look cute.

After our pedicures, we went to lunch at the Nordstom Cafe...so yummy...and then we shopped. That night, we went to see Dutchess and ate at Guadalajara.
On Sunday, I worked out (see...I at least did something productive) and then we went to an amazing spa called Fiori! I have absolutely never done something so nice in my life! Crazy! It was so relaxing...we had a blast. After that, we had lunch at Beck's Prime. Yes...I did fit in almost all of my favorite eating spots this weekend.
That night, we went to see a movie with dad (Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist...not that good) and then hung out at their house. I returned to Big D yesterday.
What a perfect birthday! Thank you for making it so special!!!

Listen to This...

Before you judge...make sure YOU know your facts. We could all look this dumb...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCipmnYCKB0

Jake Might Have Hurt His Hand

The verdict is still out. The X-rays were negative but fractures sometimes don't show up for days later. Personally, I think Jake wanted to make his brother feel REALLY bad for tripping him. Will still claims he accidentally tripped him while he was tripping...Jeffrey disagrees.
Here are the pictures from today:

Weekend in Review...

We had a jam packed weekend this weekend (which seems to be the theme when the boys are in sports).
It started on Thursday, Papa came in town to see Will play soccer. Will did an amazing job...he had FIRE in his eyes and was out to win (this is a new thing).
On Friday morning, Papa and I had breakfast together...such a sweet time with him. One of the best ever!
After that, I went to bible study. It was one of those awesome times when everyone cries...I love those (it's a girl thing). After that, I went to the Apple Store to get my birthday present from my mom and dad...a new iPhone! Yippee! The electric shock from the $9.99 Go Phone was a little too much!
Following the apple store, I went to El Rancho (Hispanic Grocery Store) to get Fajita meat and a store that just sells Tortillas...oh, yum!
That night, our friends, The Wiselys came over. I had never met them but Jeffrey was college roommates with John. Sweet Family! They live overseas in China. I can't imagine living in China!

When they left, our neighbors came outside to hang out in the driveway (it was 10:00pm and the kids were asleep). We hung at until after 1pm. We have fun neighbors! We even "Forked" the neighbors invited who didn't come out...hee hee! I have pictures but promised not to post them. :)
Saturday was football (which Jake pulled 3 flags...go Jake), soccer (Will scored a goal!), and Kids' Village singing for me.
Today was more Kids' Village singing, a long nap, more Kids' Village singing, and football. The High School kids aren't over tonight...it is REAL quiet.
It was a nice weekend...
Next weekend is BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!!!

Poor Vultures...and other critters...

Well, the time has finally come. They bulldozed the trees in the back of our house. We tried to fight but it didn't work. :(
We are so so sad...
Where are the vultures going to live?
Here are some pictures:
Before-




After-



Assessing Damage-

Back of House-



Jeffrey Looking for His Lost Saw-

Tree Where Vultures Had A Nest-

90 Day Challenge Starts Tomorrow....

[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Photos*]
Alright, you have less than 24 hours to make a PLAN for the next 90 day of your life!
Let me tell you about my week...
This week, my "crackberry" was either lost or stolen (the verdict is still out). My "life" was in that little thing! Calendar, contacts, etc. I have been completely LOST without it (I know...I have issues...I am working on them). I didn't have a PLAN. My eating was worse, my workouts weren't as consistent, I felt gloomy, my times in the bible were less, etc. Why was that? It was because I didn't have a PLAN. Without a PLAN, I tend to "fall off the wagon". I need that organization to keep me on track.
I am NOT an organized person...I am very disorganized in fact (look in my closets). But, I have felt so much better since I have gotten a calendar and planned my life (workouts included).
So, what is your PLAN going to be for the next 90 Days?
Here is mine:
I was thinking of starting P90X again. However, it is very time intensive. With the holidays coming up, I didn't want to set myself up for failure. That is why I decided to do the 10 Minute Trainer Accelerated Results for the next 4 weeks. At that point, I will re-evaluate my schedule. I may add in some P90X routines in with my 10 Minute Trainer as I see fit.

Here is where you can find others who are doing the same:
Hot For The Holidays
Maybe 90 Days is too overwhelming for you...start smaller! Start with 30 days. For me, that is much easier to grasp. At the end of the 30 days, I will then start my next challenge or PLAN.
What is YOUR PLAN?

Hair...Am I having a Mid-Life Crisis?

Ok...I need to post pictures of me over the past year...What is up with my hair...
Why haven't you worried about me? Or have you in secret been worrying about me?

September 2007

October 2007

December 2007

March 2008

April 2008

June 2008


August 2008

This morning

Comfort Food Time is Coming...

With the cold weather we've been having (which is odd for September), I am reminded of what is ahead...THE HOLIDAYS!! I don't know about you but I typically gain around 5 pounds from October-January. Last year, I was mindful of that and really worked hard at setting in place a "goal" to not gain that weight and to stay healthy!
So, I am going to come up with a 90 day schedule/program starting on October 1st. Do you want to join me?

Restoration

Yes, this is the third Post with the letter "R" in it. Ha ha!
Anyway, I thought you might enjoy this, too!
This is a song my sweet mother-in-law sent me! How appropriate!

Revelation

Check out this song my high school friends (from Marcus) and I love...
(Ignore the hand raising if it makes you uncomfortable)

Red House

Our house is called the "Red House". It is the home of the Freshmen and Sophomore kids from Marcus High School that go to The Village. Last year, we had about 10 people here total. This year, we think there are over 40 that are going to come each week! Crazy! Last night was our kick off and we celebrated Troy's birthday! (there were actually other pictures taken but the kids didn't like having their pictures taken. Oh, to be a freshman again! Ha ha!)

Water Balloons

Water Balloons have been a big hit at our house. The bigger the better...