Wordless Wednesday

Thankful Thursday

Although I really ought to be up picking up the house, or even perhaps putting Troy to bed, I didn’t want to let another Thursday pass without doing a Thankful Thursday post. These posts really are a good reminder of all the blessings I have in my life.

 

I’m thankful for my husband who always has our family first in his mind and always takes care of us.

I’m thankful for my children’s laughter, and that they make each other laugh. I might have mentioned this before, but a child’s laughter is one of the best things in the world.

I’m thankful for good friends who are willing to lend their ears to me.

I’m thankful for other Christian parents who are striving to raise their children in the Lord.

I’m thankful that God gave us His inspired Word, and that it gives us all things that pertain to life and godliness. {2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3}

Why not?

Ella: “Mama, can I have some more crackers?”

Me: “No.”

Ella: “Why not?”

 

Ella: “Mama, can I watch another show?”

Me: “No.”

Ella: “Why not?”

 

Ella: “Mama, can I bring a snack to the playroom for me and Troy?”

Me: “No.”

Ella: “Why not?”

 

Ella: “Mama, could you come cover me up?” {for the fifth time}

Me: “No.”

Ella: “Why not?”

 

Ella: “Mama, could you bring Troy in here?”

Me: “No.”

Ella: “Why not?”

 

Ella: “Mama, could you tell Reeses {our dog} to come here?”

Me: “No.”

Ella: “Why not?”

 

My days lately have been filled with lots of “why nots.” The “why nots” are a daily reminder that Ella is growing up too fast. And, although the “why nots” might drive me a bit crazy at times, I’m thankful for the “why nots” and the conversations that I’m having with Ella everyday. I know these days will seem to pass too quickly, and I’ll look back and miss and laugh at all the “why nots.”

Journeying to a Health Life: 3 Month Report

It has been a little over 3 months since I committed to living a healthier life, and I’m excited to say that, so far, I’ve actually stayed pretty well on track! I’m finally getting to the point that eating healthier and exercising seem like a natural part of life. Staying within my calorie goals everyday isn’t a burden like it was in the beginning (I still remember those first few weeks feeling like I was going to starve!). Is it always easy? No. In fact, today has been one of those days where I haven’t done so well eating, but I’m ok with that because it isn’t my lifestyle to eat poorly anymore like it was before. {As a side note, mostly to myself, I suppose, I definitely get the urge to snack more when I have a lot of nervous energy . . .I probably should have put that energy into a workout instead of snacks!}

I’m down 14 pounds since November (9 since coming back from the Christmas holidays over which I had gained a bit back). Although I don’t really feel “skinnier,” I have finally been able to see some changes in how my clothes are fitting. I am down a pant size! It is great to have that kind of progress (even though I still have a long way to go).

I’ve also noticed a great improvement in my physical fitness/endurance. I’ve been completing the Couch to 5K program, and I’m a week and a half from finishing it. I can actually jog for 28 minutes without stopping, which is a HUGE accomplishment for this non-runner. Unfortunately, about a week and half ago I sprained my ankle (from being a clutz tripping down my front porch, not even jogging!) and I haven’t been able to jog since I hurt my ankle. I’m really hoping I’ll be able to pick back up on Wednesday. I was really, really bummed when I hurt my ankle. BUT, it has given me a great opportunity to make sure that my eating stays on track without burning extra calories from exercise, and I’ve actually done pretty well with that.

2 Month Report

Drafting Dinner: Weekly Menu Planning

• Roast
• PW’s crispy yogurt chicken (I really love this chicken, and I haven’t made it in months!)
• Chicken Fried Rice (never ate this a few weeks ago)
• Stuffed bell peppers (stuffed with hamburger meat, cream cheese, and shredded cheese) served with rice
• Baked potatoes with pulled pork

Ella’s 3rd Birthday Interview

My sweet Ella turned 3 today! Where does the time go? I saw the idea for a birthday interview on Pinterest, and I knew I wanted to start the interview tradition. We kept some of the questions from the interview, but also modified some, and added our own in.

Here are Ella’s answers (in bold)!

1. What is your favorite color? Blue
2. What is your favorite toy? Reeses, a dog {one of our dogs}
3. What is your favorite fruit? Banana
4. What is your favorite TV show? Clifford and Blue’s Clues
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Chips {she really doesn’t like chips that well, I think she saw some sitting on the table}
6. What is your favorite outfit? Purple
7. What is your favorite game? Run
8. What is your favorite snack? Fruit Snacks
9. What is your favorite animal? Clifford
10. What is your favorite song? Jesus Loves Me
11. What is your favorite book? Clifford Book
12. Who is your best friend? Karsyn
13. What is your favorite cereal? Good cereal {for what it is worth, we really don’t name the cereals in our house – just call everything cereal}
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play Outside
15. What is your favorite drink? Watermelon Sprite
16. What is your favorite holiday? {she was stumped – didn’t know what a holiday was}
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Monkey, Another Monkey {She has a sock monkey, and a “baby” sock monkey}
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cereal
19. What is your favorite thing for dinner? I’m thinking about it . . . I don’t like unguns {onions}. Regular chicken.
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Marry a Christian {check this link}
21. What is your favorite movie? Hair movie {Tangled}
22. Who is your favorite Disney princess? I am.
23. Where is your favorite place to go? Lunch
24. What is your favorite Bible story? Jesus. The one about the mens. The mens that were sick with leprosy. {They’ve been talking about this story in Bible class}
25. What is your favorite Old Testament story? Genesis 1
26. What is your favorite memory verse? He that believes and Upon this rock. {Mark 16:16 and Matthew 16:18}
27. What is your favorite letter? E, and A, and L, and another L.

Happy Birthday Ella!

Drafting Dinner: Weekly Menu Planning

• Baked chicken with couscous and green beans. I just learned a new trick for getting juicy chicken in the oven – sear the chicken for a couple of minutes on the stovetop first, then transfer the pan (use ovensafe) to the oven to finish cooking (I cooked mine at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes). Super juicy and yummy!
• Taco salad
• Ham, black eyed peas, and cornbread. I was digging around the freezer today, and realized that I had some leftover ham (from New Year’s) frozen in there.
• Chicken enchilada soup
• Chicken fried rice
• Roast or maybe pulled pork (depending on meat prices)