I'm Scared...

I start P90X tomorrow! It is an intense workout! Wish me luck!
One good thing is we have a group who are going to workout with me on Tuesdays. I think this accountability will help...
Click on this to find out more:
P90X

School Fundraisers

My friends and I are now learning about school fundraising! Team Beachbody is now using the Coaching opportunity to help our schools both physically and finanically! What a GREAT idea! You don't have to buy wrapping paper or cookie dough! You can purchase the Shaun T's Fit Kids Club (school gets $8) or any products (through the school's Team Beachbody website) and that school/organization gets 25%! So exciting!
Here are some pictures...

JAKE

I apologize to all about not posting. I've been a bad mom! I have Jake's birthday to post (Cousins Sleepover/Birthday Party at Peter Piper Pizza), his new tooth lost (pulled by his brother...of course!), and his school field trip. So, I thought I would just do a slideshow to show what has been going on the past couple of months for Jakey Bakey (he doesn't like Snakey anymore).
I can't believe he is 6!!

Rockin' Body

After spending a weekend with my high school friends (post on that soon), I decided I was better in the old days (or in my MIND I was better than I really was). So I purchased this video:


It was SO much fun BUT I was glad no one was watching me! My groove is gone and I looked like a pathetic soccer mom trying to do a dance! Maybe I'll get better. At least I had fun doing it! Can you lose your dancing abilities with the birth of your children or did you not really have dancing abilities before their birth?

Facebook

As if I wasn't already wasting enough time on the computer on any given day, I've now joined Facebook.  It is wild!

Church of Oprah

Can I tell you how much I like to watch Oprah's Favorite Things around Christmas time? Such cool things. I get sucked in and think whatever Oprah thinks is cool has got to be cool!
Well, I have stopped thinking Oprah is cool. WATCH this YouTube and see why...



It shows me how we are ALL susceptible to false doctrine. We ALL can be lead astray. We ALL can be lured away from God so easily. So...make sure you READ THE BIBLE. Seriously! DO NOT listen to preachers or speakers without investigating the TRUTH for yourself! I love my pastor and think he is so wise BUT I have to seek truth from the BIBLE on my own. I have to investigate to see if what he is saying goes along with scripture. We get lazy and just listen to what others say. If it sounds right, it has to be right, right? Wrong!
Had Oprah read scripture on her own she would have know that the bible says "God is a jealous God" as her preacher said and understood what her preacher meant. God is not jealous of you but he is jealous of you worshipping other things. He wants You and ALL of you! Sit down with him today and see what HE has to say!!!

Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

Notice how he likes to perform like his mom...

His School Performance Last Thursday

(This was the happiest I had ever seen him...watch out American Idol!)

Notice how he is playing football just like his dad did (before the 2 broken legs)...

His First Flag Football Practice

(He scored a long run touchdown at his first game on Saturday)

Breakfast in Bed

This was the boys' idea on the last day of Spring Break.  They had never done it before.  Precious...Boys are so sweet to their Moms!

Easter

Easter this year came by so fast (and so have the days since...so sorry for the delay in a post).  We went to church on Saturday night (after repainting kitchen and planting flowers).  There was "no room"!  We had to leave so we went to a new Mexican restaurant (Fernando's...tasted like Anamia's).  The next morning, we decided to go to church with Jeffrey's family in  Denton.  After church, we went to dinner and the boys got to do an Easter egg hunt with their cousins.  They had a blast!That night, our friends Alexy and Natasha from Russia came over.  They live in Penza, Russia and work with kids who are exiting the orphanage.  They have an amazing ministry.

It was a crazy weekend but a nice one.

I know this is going to sound pious but Christmas and Easter are not a big deal to me.  They frustrate me.  I celebrate Christ each weekend and don't understand why those two weekends are a big deal.  (I hope I don't get struck by lightening...hee hee!)  They a

re so muddled with secular things that I have a hard time celebrating their meaning.  I wish Christians celebrated on a different weekend from Santa and the Easter Bunny...it would be MUCH better.

Spring Break 2008

Hello! We are back! I did not have cell service or internet access from Monday until Friday. How did I survive? Quite well, actually! It was nice to get away! Here are some pics...

I'm a Big Dork!!!

This is a picture with Chalene Johnson, maker of Turbo Jam (the one with the long blonde hair), and my workout buddies Melissa and Kim (also Beachbody Coaches). Can I tell you how much fun I had working out with her? I think I want to become Turbo Kick Ceritified!
Seriously, I really am a big dork! I am addicted to the Beachbody (formerly Million Dollar Body...yeah! they changed the name) Website! There are so many good tips and motivating stories! It is awesome.
If you had told me 1 year ago that I would be involved this much with (and actually enjoy) Beachbody, I would have told you that you were crazy! Never did I think this company would have such an impact on me!

Want to see what I've been reading and watching (they have great shows on the website like Thin Kitchen, Slim Style, BNN, etc.)? Click here and then go to JOIN THE CLUB. It is only $2.99 per week (which is less than a Starbucks' coffee)! They even have a 30 day money back guarantee if you don't like it! What do you have to lose? (Yes, I sound like an infomercial...I've been brainwashed...at least it is a good company to be brainwashed to).

I've wasted enough time now on my booty watching Beachbody today...now I'm off to play tennis with my boys!

Vulture?

Does anyone know how to get rid of a vulture? They are still here...
(Yes, this is at my back door.)

SoCal

(Sorry about the song...it played the whole time I was in California...even in my Turbo Jam workout...kind of my theme song for the weekend...)
If you've been to Southern California, you know they call it "SoCal". We just got back around midnight last night from our trip to SoCal. It was amazing!

Have you ever had that kind of out of body experience when you are just amazed that everything just "fell into place"? That is how I felt about my trip. It was like God was working out every detail...perfectly! Wow!

I arrived in Orange County on Thursday morning. I took the rental car van to the rental car place where I was given a black PT Cruiser Convertible! So fun! (I was actually given the wrong car but thought they were just being nice by upgrading me!) I went to the hotel and met all the other Beachbody (new name of Million Dollar Body) Coaches. It was so fun to see in person the faces that you see everyday on the Million Dollar Body website. Ginny (our friend who introduced Jeffrey & me) and her daughter Sarah met me for lunch at The Block at Orange (an outside shopping mall). We ate lunch (at Corner Bakery...ha ha!...haven't been there in a while...hee hee!) and had a great time. She left to pick up her other daughter. Melissa met me at the mall and we shopped for a few more hours. That night, we had our workout with Chalene Johnson (the maker of Turbo Jam). It was so much fun!!! We were on the second row, I think. We got to meet her, her assistant, and her husband. Too cool! She killed us...but it felt so good! I wish I could workout to her live every day! Ginny met me back at the hotel and we went to Downtown Disneyland for dinner. It was packed and we ate at a yummy mexican (the first of 3 Mexican Food meals during my stay). We walked around a little (although the stores were closed by the time we finished dinner) and then went back to the hotel. She stayed with me that night so we could catch up. We went to bed at 12:15am (2:15am Dallas time).

I had to be up at 6:40am to be ready for the morning workout with Tony Horton. Thankfully, he did Yoga (which was PERFECT for my body). Our meetings started at 9am and we were on the 3rd row...perfect seats! It was so amazing! The company REALLY DOES care about people and overcoming obesity...they aren't just saying it! I am SO proud to be a part of a company who really is about people and not making a quick buck! The conference was over at 3pm and I left to go pick up Jeffrey at the airport. Either Google Maps messed up or I missed my exit. I ended up in Industry and my 40 minute drive turned into 2 1/2 hours! Jeffrey ended up taking a taxi to the hotel and I met him there (along with meeting our friends Wes and Shelly). Our hotel was awesome! We stayed at Le Montrose near Sunset Blvd. Wow! We got to see the sunset from the roof (which had a pool and tennis courts). We all got dressed and went to dinner at The Spanish Kitchen. YUMMY! Then, there were paparzzi across the street at a restaurant called STK (which we couldn't get reservations at but went to its sister restaurant instead). We went to see who they were trying to get a picture of. Eva Longoria and Victoria Beckam (Jeffrey's favorite Star!!!). We asked the bouncer if we could go in to the bar...he said yes! We hung out in the bar to see if we found anyone famous. Andy Dick was sitting at the bar. Pretty funny! We didn't see Eva or Victoria because they were in a private room upstairs. We did meet the owners and a drummer for some band I'd never heard of! It was so fun!

Saturday, we woke up, got some Starbucks and drove the Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade. We shopped, looked at the farmer's market, and then drove to Lula's for lunch. After lunch, we went to Ventura Beach and Muscle Beach. Interesting people! I think I'll take my boys there when they are in Junior High to show them what drugs can do to you! We relaxed that evening and went to dinner at a restaurant called One. Funny story...Wes called the restaurant to get a later seating. They said they only had 7:15pm and really acted like they were squeezing us in. We got there and there were only 3 tables that had people at them! So funny! The food was tapas and you share. The flavors! Wow! We had a great time! Il Sole was next door and the paparazzi was there, too. We missed the famous person who was there. We went to the Viper Room but it was only 9:30pm so we went back to our hotel to hang out on the roof. I was exhausted so we only stayed for about 30 minutes.

On Sunday, we drove around to see Hollywood, Studio City, Universal City, Glendale, and Pasadena. We ate lunch at In and Out Burger which was yummy. We then took Wes and Shelly to the airport. Jeffrey & I drove around until it was time to drop off the car and get to the airport.

What a cool city! We had such a great time! I can't wait until next year's Coach Summit!

I don't have time to blog, but....

Seriously, I have so much I need to be doing right now but I had to post two things real quick...(and of course I'm having technical difficulties...sorry for the pictures being in the wrong order)

First of all, on Monday night it SNOWED.  In March!  In Texas!  So weird!

Here are the boys playing in the snow that morning (it is 6:30am).  So fun!

It was beautiful as it fell Monday night.  I felt like it was a little gift from God.  It was so peaceful and amazing!  

Secondly, "THEYYYRREEE BACK!".  The vultures are back!  This time, they want IN the house!  I'm not kidding!  They have been perched on our second story window for two days now.  Scary!  They are pecking to come in.  I showered today and they were on that window perch!  Do I smell like death?  Is that what they are trying to tell me?  Freaky!  Here is a picture of that!  We're all a little nervous about it!  I called Animal Control.  They came out but didn't do anything.  I'm hoping they (yes, there are two) leave!  Oh, my...as I type this, one of them is now perched on the fence outside the window of my office!  Can you say, "Scary?"????

I'm off to finish packing.  I leave in the morning to go to Anaheim!  Can't wait!  I'll post a lot when I get back!

Tears

After 14 1/2 months, we are going to have to say "goodbye" to Eli Jackson, our dog.  We've fought to the bitter end but today proved...it is time for him to find another home.  I've written about Eli some but then the stories are so crazy it was almost too painful, almost commonplace to write about.

Today he got out...again.  I had only let him in the backyard for 5 minutes.  He dug out of our backyard and we drove to find him...only to find he had entered our neighbor's yard.  She was NOT happy about it!  He had dug in her trash and destroyed stuff...plus she had just vaccummed.  I took him from her backyard and was furious!  How could he?  (He had done the same thing 2 weeks ago and also peed IN the other neighbor's house).  I could go on and on with similar stories of Eli's antics.  Anyway, I called Jeffrey and started bawling!  I knew that was Eli's last time to torment our neighbors.  Jeffrey told me to call the Wheaton Rescue.  I've cried since 4pm today...it is now 10pm.  I didn't even like the dog...so I thought!

So, I now have to pick up another Wheaton on Friday then take both dogs to a "transporter" who will take both dogs on Saturday.  I think this will be an easier transition for the kids.

Oh, the kids!  We told them tonight in a "family meeting" that we are going to have to get rid of Eli.  We were all crying (well, except for Jeffrey).  It was the saddest day with my kids I have ever had.  We want what is best for everyone.  My kids love that dog (even though he still bites/mouthes them and he has attacked all of their friends...in a loving way that scares the crud out of them!).

I don't know the last time I have shed so many tears!  I am mostly sad for my boys who will no longer have a dog to call their own.  I am sad to see that puppy go.  He's been with us for a long time and we've endured a lot together.

Pray that the tears subside for our family...

It is going to be a rough couple of days ahead.

Valentine's Day...We Finally Got It Right!!

Sorry...this is long:

After 10 Valentine's Days together...we finally got it right!  There were no tears and no unmet expectations (at least on my part and I'm hoping not on Jeffrey's part, too).  

We actually spent Valentine's Day with my dad (wait...it gets better...I promise).  He came in town that night around 8:30pm.  Now, I'll back up to the beginning of the morning...

My boys were so excited to wake up.  I think they were awake by 6am.  They couldn't wait to give me their present!  They bought me a COACH PURSE.  I am not kidding!  (I haven't worn it yet because I still feel guilty and may take it back still because of the guilt)  Can you say "Extravagant"?  I made the boys mini pink/red (boys don't like pink so you have to say "red") blueberry muffins for breakfast.  They were off to school.  Melissa was still here so we went to Chick Fil A for Chicken Biscuits (we figured out we'd been eating them together for 8 years...crazy!).  I took  her to the new Walmart, had a brief meeting with my accountant, and then worked out to "Fat Blaster" (I love that video).  Melissa left and I was sad (although I'll see her in a few weeks).  A quick visit to the hospital where two of my neighbors were (one for a new baby and the other for complications from a motorcycle wreck...both are home now and doing great!) and then to the school Valentine's Day party.  I had to go back and forth between the two classes.  Lots of sugar was consumed by my two monkeys.  

That night, we went to dinner at Snuffer's (romanic?), sold Jeffrey's car (yippee), and then met my dad at the house.

What?  That doesn't sound romantic?

Well, that really didn't count as "Valentine's Day" because we celebrated for the next THREE DAYS!  

Friday around 2pm we left for Houston (just me and Jeffrey).  We arrived at our hotel around 8pm.  We stayed at the Hotel Zaza in the Houston Museum District!  Can you say G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S?  There was even a tour bus parked outside (rumor was it was Ashley Simpson).  We quickly changed clothes (because tennis shoes were not allowed) and headed to the Monarch where we got some appetizers and drinks.  Yummy food and amazing ambiance.  That hotel is probably the coolest I have ever been to!  Very Eclectic!  

It was an older crowd but we loved people watching.  Our waitress was drunk.  Yes, you read that right.  She was on something or drunk.  Every time she left us...we giggled.  She eventually fell and we never saw her again.  We also enjoyed watching the odd trio next to us (two college age girls with what looked like their professor...gross!).

On Saturday, we went for a walk around the hotel to Hermann Park.  It was pretty (although the weather had much to be desired).  We had breakfast together at Empire Cafe in Montrose.  We shopped for some honeymoon "goodies" for my friend Melissa M. and had a super time just hanging out.  We ate lunch at our favorite mexican place called Guadalajara.  Yummy!   I battled a migraine all day which was crappy!  I took a nap and then got dressed for the wedding (but got side tracked by the movie Jeffrey was watching called Into The Wild).  I ran into the bridesmaid room 5 minutes b/f the wedding (Jeffrey was steaming that I did that but I had to give her the honeymoon "goodies" I got for  her!).  She was happy to see me and her sister said it was perfect that I came back there!!!  Proved Jeffrey wrong (although this is not correct ettiquette to do to someone right before their wedding starts but she does call me her "BFF" so it is appropriate).

We had a great time at the wedding and went back to the hotel a little early...we had woken up at 6am b/c Jeffrey's internal clock woke him up.  We are old!  Ugh!  We had planned to go dancing with Amy & Stephen...sorry guys!  We are lame!

On Sunday, we woke up a little later and then left to come home.  I was so sad to come home.  I needed more time away with my man.  

I love those times with him to recharge!  I didn't have to compete with his job, our kids, or chores.  It was just us!  I'm excited about going to LA with him (and our friends Wes &  Shelly) in a few weeks!

So, it was the perfect Valentine's Day!  After 10 tries...we finally got it right!

Two Melissas & Some Nasty Colored Hair

Ok...as you know, I have been trying to go blonde since September.  To my disappointment (to my ego and pocketbook), it keeps having tinges of orange.  Why???

Last week I got to spend time with two of my dear friends who are both named Melissa.  Pretty funny, huh?

Melissa H. came to visit me last week.  We had a great time.  She is moving back and I am so happy.  She got to meet some of my friends, too!  It was surreal to have them all meet!  We ate LOTS but worked out too (went on a beautiful hike around the lake...watching out for bobcats and snakes).  We also looked at houses (which of course gives me the moving bug) and did a little business.  Here is a picture before we met some of our fellow coaches at Patrizzio's.

Melissa M. got married last weekend in Houston.  Oh, my!  What a stinkin' gorgeous bride!

  Melissa M. is a 8 year younger version of myself (although she is much brighter and prettier).  We always have fun together and I am so excited for her new life with her new man.  Doesn't she look beautiful?

As you look at the pictures, you will notice my hair.  Why is it so bad?  I thought I would keep it blonde until we got back from LA in March but I'm not sure I can make it to then.

Give me your honest opinion....back to brown or keep it blonde/whatever color it is?

I'll be back to give more scoop on my weekend away sans kids with my man at Hotel Zaza!  Wow!

Calling ALL People

Maybe you haven't talked to God in a while. Maybe you talk to Him all the time. Whatever the case...would you please talk to him on behalf of my sweet friend Stephanie Weber?
Here is the update...

Wednesday, February 13, 2008
We traveled to Houston Monday afternoon and had a MRI scan in the early evening. David, Dad, Mom, Bud Jan and myself all met with Dr. Jung to review the scan. To quote his first words, “It looks worrisome.” The flare ie. Tumor appears to be spreading. Not spreading into drastic new places but what is there is getting bigger. Dr. Jung doesn’t have any new silver bullets to eradicate this or attempt to blow this thing away. He feels that I might be resistant to the Avastin. Dr. Jung is going to dig in the current studies of MD Anderson, we are going to explore what Duke has to offer. We met with Dr. Fink. She confirmed the tumor cell activity sting that it is “creeping” into new areas saying that the Avastin is working there isn’t a tumor “balling” up but the creeping/spread needs to be stopped. She gave me a prescription for an antibiotic that could possibly work to slow the creep and won’t keep me out of any possible studies. She is going to forward David’s email to Dr. Friedman at Duke today to see if there are other potential options. I didn’t get chemo today as my platelet count is lower than the required minimum for infusion. Surprisingly, this upset me because I don’t want any time for this stuff to tumor up and grow. They took my blood to check again, we are doing the platelet dance for them to come up! The plan is to keep going on chemo as soon as I can.
Yes, I have had been flooded with emotions from all directions. Ya know, conversations with God like keep me here, I want to pour more into my kids and experience more with them, David, family and friends. Oh Lord, please summon your power to destroy this enemy that has been hanging out in my brain.
Isn’t the power of the Spirit cool when David and I opened up God’s Word last night to Isaiah 41:9-11 and these words from God spoke boldly and directly to us, “I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” We are humbly asking for wisdom for the doctors to come up with a cocktail and Jesus’ healing power to make this enemy disappear.

Pray for Wellness!

Is Wellness a word?  Not sure.  I just wanted you to pray that our family and neighbors become well.  We have a lot of illness on our little street.  Some things I know about and some things I don't (breast cancer treatment, mono, knee surgery/blod clots, birthing of children...just to name a few) .  My heart is burdened for my neighbors...especially this week.  Pray for them!  It is amazing that so much illness is happening on this street...all at the same time!

Our house has its own "little" illnesses too (can you hear the breathing treatment machines in the background or the sniffling of my nose?).  We're hoping to be well by this weekend.  Our house is supposed to be a host home for the youth group this weekend.  So, be praying for the youth at our house to find "Wellness" (or wholeness or completeness...are those words?), too!

"HE gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Isaiah 40:29

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

It's Here!!!

Everybody Say HEY!

Shaun T’s got a new workout FOR KIDS ONLY! Get down and get fit with Shaun T's Fit Kids Club workouts for kids ages 7 and up! It's all about sweat, strength, and FUN with mad awesome dance moves that keep you healthy and energized! It doesn't matter what your size or shape is—or even if you can't dance. Shaun T will teach you cool, new steps with rad music so you'll be rockin' out in no time! These workouts are so much fun, you won't even feel like they're exercise!

With a childhood obesity crisis sweeping the nation, choreographer to the stars Shaun T wanted to create a program that would get kids off the couch and on their feet. The most important thing was that these workouts had to be fun! And that's how the Fit Kids Club program was invented. By teaching kids cool, modern dance moves these workouts never feel like exercise.

Get 2 Totally Rad Workouts!

GROOVE IT OUT!
Get your groove on with Shaun T and the Fit Kids, doing cool dance steps like the Hustle, We're Cool, Body Jam, Wind & Toss, Bounce & Swipe, and Basketball. You'll be having so much fun, you'll forget you're exercising! It’ll become the best part of your day! (25 minutes)

COOL MOVES!
Get funky while you get healthy. Shaun T shows you new hip, hot steps like The Hey!, Snake It, Pound & Hop, Dust & Wave, and Smooth Groove. Learn the coolest moves and get in great shape at the same time! Work it out every day with Shaun T and the Fit Kids. (25 minutes)

Plus 3 FREE Bonuses!

Healthy kid-friendly snack ideas
Guide to learn to read nutrition labels
Shaun T's Fit Kids Club wall poster to keep track of your workouts
Your Kids Will Love It—or Your Money Back!