The Words Every Mother Wants To Hear....

If you have been following the drama in my household, you know that my son is one incredible kid. Well, one thing that I truly TREASURE is our little talks. They very often occur at night after he is in bed. They aren't every night, and you never know when they are coming. They are sparked by an interesting question or comment that leads to "deep thinking" on both parts.

Last night was not one of those nights. First, allow me to give you some background that may not seem important at first, but follow me on this. I have large pores. Perhaps that is why I have oily skin, it just pours out my pores (cute little literary statement there, huh?). My son not long ago said, "Whoa mom, you have hu-u-uge pores on your face!" Rather than bury my face in shame, I accepted this as a teachable moment. So I explained that one time I had a facial that vacuumed the oil out of those pores. I thought he'd find that really interesting, as I did at the time. I believe I was right....keep reading.

Last night, as he finds a stopping point in his book, he looks at me very endearingly. It was a sweet moment between a mother and her son. You could almost see the wheels turning as he formulates a question about if it hurt for them to vacuum out my pores and exactly how they sucked the oil out of my face. I explained it was a fairly loud machine but it was kinda like those sucking straws at the dentist office and it did not hurt at all. The wheels continue turning and he gets a look on his face, with almost a sly smile and he says the words we mothers dream of hearing:

"Mom, I want to suck the oil out of your face!"

Uh, yeah, our moment was over. I kissed him on his head and said "good night!" I almost teared up as I left the room, touched by his sweetness.......WHATEVER!

Christmas with a Capital C

Watch this video and let me know what you think!

WFMW--Fun Christmas Tradition

I haven't entered a Works for Me Wednesday carnival item in a while. Mostly because I thought I was fresh out of ideas. It takes a different way of thinking, you know. You gotta think that other peeps out there aren't living the exact same life as you :-)

My sister and I have a tradition of doing the crazy After Thanksgiving shopping. And this past Friday, I added an idea that my sister has been doing. If you are related to me, you are REQUIRED to stop reading right now...I mean it, I will KNOW if you read this!!!

Under my tree right now are 4 packages, one for each member of the family, and the instructions are that they are to be opened on Christmas Eve. I am about to tell you what is inside them, but I must threaten my family AGAIN to STOP READING!!!

Inside the packages is a pair of PJ's, mom's matches daughter's, and dad's matches son's (sort of). The idea is that we wear those that night and make for some cute Christmas morning photos. In fact, one year we had a friend send a family newsletter-like letter with a picture of her 5 kiddos in PJ's that were similar in colors and they were piled on top of each other in front of their tree. So cute!! That letter came more around the New Year instead of Christmas but it was lots of fun anyway. So that is what is about to work for me, works for my sister, and may just work for you if you choose to adopt this idea.

If you want to see what works for others, head on over to Shannon's blog!

Wednesday Weigh-In

(I am combining two posts into one for two different blog memes/carnivals. If you would like to visit either of these challenges, click on either of the above images to encourage, visit, join others in these quests!)

I went to my WW meeting Monday night and stepped on the scale, which registered me UP one pound. Do you know that in the past several months, I have NOT lost a total of 5 pounds over all YET? I will lose a pound or two, then gain a pound or two. Did you read that? FIVE POUNDS!!! Since my 8 or 9 weeks going to WW meetings, I have not gotten a gold star (if you don't know about those, you get a gold star for every 5 pounds you lose). I don't know what it is going to take. Seriously, I don't know!! I can be "on program" for a couple days, but then I blow it another. Can I actually stay "on program" a solid week????? I am thinking if I did, I might see a better result come Monday! (Deep, heartfelt sigh)

As for the other portions of my Living Well, I am making a plan for reading the books around here that are just bits of brilliance waiting to be implanted in my head. And I created a new habit in my life which I've been practicing since Sunday morning of this week (4 days so far)...it is a form of meditation in which I start my day thinking of 5 things I am grateful for and trying to create energy and a positive mindset for the day. My quiet times are going well, although I do miss here and there. Can someone tell me how to hear God throughout my day? I so want to hear Him, but try as I might....I am missing it if He's talking to me!!

Dime Drama Update

Just so you all know, my 12 year old son is dime free and just fine. He even returned to school, where word had spread about his ordeal....gotta love schoolhouse chatter. It did cost us $100 in ER co-pays but I'd have to say this critter of mine is worth it. If you would like to read more, you can check out the Dad's blog, as well as the magician himself!

In my attempt to be more positive and energetic in the mornings, I was saying an affirmation this morning, "Something great is going to happen today. I can't wait to see what it is!" My son said he got it confused with "Oh great!"

Drama of the Day

I stayed home from work with my sick daughter only to get a phone call from my son's school nurse. At first when I saw his school's name show up on caller ID, I thought that he was likely sick as well and a stomach bug was going around. Was I ever wrong! The school nurse said that my son had a dime stuck up his nose, and it was so far up there that she did not want to even try to get it out. So...his dad is off to take him to the doctor and the ER is right across the street from his doc, so if need be, they'll head on over there. So, this anxious mama is awaiting a phone call...to find out that the dime is out. I can tell ya, life is certainly an adventure with my kiddos (this boy especially, although he has calmed down over the years). I know what you are thinking!! You say, "Jamie, how is that possible? How can you know what I am thinking?" But, I do!! You are wondering HOW this little thing found its way into the nose, aren't you? At first, I told the school nurse that I didn't even want to know. But curiosity got the best of me, and as I picked up my very worried son, I had to ask. First, he tells me NOT to laugh because laughing might make him suck it up further. But he was doing a magic trick for his friends....so we are all glad that this was not a quarter!!!!

SHS--Good Morning!

I have been AWOL from the SMART Habit Saturdays. And I noticed that Lara's taking a month off, which is probably good advice. What I plan to do during that time is play hit or miss with all my habits I've been trying to establish, and during this month really work to improve my mornings!! I want to wake up, sit up and think of 5 things to be grateful for, then get up and stretch for a couple minutes, then wash my face with a cool washcloth, then drink a glass of icewater, trying to stay positive with my thinking. I also want to dance for two songs. The idea is to create a positive and energetic morning and it will take some tweaking, but I really want to set a positive tone for the day.

I recently learned that you cannot think of more than one thing at a time. I know we think we are, but we aren't, so staying positive with our thoughts in the morning will create energy....focused thinking with a positive phrase is almost like a meditation.

I will be back in January, getting SMARTer and SMARTer. If you want to see more about being a SMARTie, head on over to The Lazy Organizer.

Wednesday Weigh-in

(I am combining two posts into one for two different blog memes/carnivals. If you would like to visit either of these challenges, click on either of the above images to encourage, visit, join others in these quests!)

My hubby informed me that I need to blog because I haven't blogged for a while. I will leave out excuses about a virus on the home computer and being dadgum busy and just post...but be forewarned this post may be extra long. So sorry.

First, I had a not so great week, eating in a way that I would feel good about. But I teeter totter....a couple good days, a couple bad....and apparently when I weighed in at my meeting on Monday, my good outweighed the bad and I lost a whopping pound....for a net loss of 4.2. YAY!! This really encouraged me and I went to the grocery store and purchased some ingredients and items that fit into eating in a way that I feel good about. Can I share a few things with you?

In my grocery store, on the bread aisle, right with the Little Debbie snacks are some 100 calorie snacks (I am so not sure if they are Little Debbie's or not). But I got some brownies that are 100 calories, individually wrapped, and they are good! I also found some caramel FLAVORED apple slices, has anyone else seen these? I also got some pumpkin because it makes for some very yummy recipes and it is pretty good for you, too, and ZERO Weight Watcher points--WOO HOO!

Okay, so....here are some quick recipes:

2 POINT Pumpkin Muffins: 1 can pumpkin, 1 box of spice cake mix (just good old regular spice cake mix, no need for fat free/sugar free stuff), 1 cup of water. Mix together and make 24 muffins, bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Pumpkin Fluff: 1 can pumpkin, 1 box of sugar free/fat free butterscotch pudding, 1 box of sugar free/fat free vanilla pudding, 2 cups of milk and a mixer. If you make 12 servings it is 1 point....or if you are the WW CORE plan--it's on there!!!

Now, have you all found the 1 point for 2 slices bread? I had heard about this but for some reason had not gotten it. It is high in fiber, 7 grams for 2 slices. I had some WW 1 point yogurt, 2 slices of toast, and my regular 1/2 cup of Fiber One with Almond milk for breakfast....I had more fiber before 8 AM than most people have all day (be sure to drink lots of water if you try this)!!!

Using this bread, if you mash half a banana with 1 egg and coat the bread, then fry it in a Pam sprayed pan (sprinkle some cinnamon on the toast if you like), you have a very yummy Banana French Toast breakfast for 4 points (and then add 1 points worth of low calorie syrup).

You can also make a very low point sandwich with the bread with some one or two point cheese, some 1 point lunchmeat, and lettuce/tomato/whatever veggies you wish.

All of this FROM the energy I got from losing a pound!!!

Just for fun, I found this list in a Quick and Simple magazine....when you are trying to lose weight or better yet, have lost weight, you can refer to it. I remember....back in the first journey to lose in which I had lost 50+ pounds, I had someone ask me how much I'd lost (and I believe it was 45 or so at that point in time) and he said, "My goodness, that is half a supermodel!!" We tend to minimize our weight-loss (at least I do), so this list may help you so you can say you lost a dozen glazed doughnuts this week or are trying to lose a bald eagle by Christmas:

• 1.5 pounds = a dozen glazed doughnuts
• 3 pounds = a bowling pin
• 5 pounds = a laptop computer
• 12 pounds = a bald eagle
• 15 pounds = an average Thanksgiving turkey
• 20 pounds = a standard vacuum cleaner
• 33 pounds = a cinder block
• 36 pounds = a midsize microwave oven
• 50 pounds = an 18 in x 18 in x 32 in bale of hay
• 74 pounds = a double seated kayak
• 83 pounds = a portable air conditioner
• 100 pounds = a 2 month old horse

Hope everyone enjoys the holiday and gives thanks!! I hope to come back next week with even more exciting news!!

Checking In with Living Well

On September 6th, I declared that I was going to Live Well, which you may wish to read about here. I cleverly divided my declaration into parts and now a new blog meme has started where we check in. Do you know what this means? I must be accountable....ahhhhh! Well, accountability isn't so bad. I must admit that I haven't focused on this daily like I would have liked. My aunt tells me not to should on other people, and it really isn't a good idea to should on yourself. So all shoulding aside, let me check in and see how I've done over the last couple of months and at the same time, renew my commitment to LIVE WELL!!

SPIRIT

• My Daily Quiet time is just awesome!! It is ever evolving and I have missed a day here and there, but I genuinely miss it when I do.
• Prayer is a struggle for me. I have stopped the rote memorized laundry list of old and now I pray before my Bible Study for God's direction in the study and for how to pray after the Bible study. Then I kneel (actually get on the floor) and pray how I feel led from the Bible study which has been so cool. Once I poured my sin out. Another time, I prayed for the soldiers in Iraq. But it changes daily. Here's the key...I pray the fairly quick prayer on bended knee as led, with the plan to open myself up to discussing things with God throughout the day. I listen for God's guidance throughout the day, so that I am in open communication with my Father all day. Sometimes I have a hard time hearing Him when I do this, then my mind wanders and before I know it...I'm busy and not listening anymore.
• Meditation was going well for a bit but then I stopped and haven't picked it back up...

BODY

• Making good choices while I eat, well some days I do so well and lots of days I don't. Then there is "medium" days. I don't just go all crazy nuts with the eating, but I definitely make poor choices. I still need God's help with this!!
• Moving every day is....well....very tough. In October, I was walking fairly regularly (though not evey day), but toward the end of the month....I just stopped. What is THAT about? Well just this week, I picked it back up, walking on Monday and Tuesday!
• Water--drink lots of it most days!!

Soul

• Watching less TV...I'm alright on this! But I do need to track what I watch so I can more accurately report on this. I just know there isn't a whole lot that I feel compelled to watch!
• Reading more....this one could use some work. I need to make a plan with this one, I think!
• Finally, journalling/blogging/scrapbooking every day--I was on a roll with the journaling and then I stopped. I went to a Megacrop scrapbooking event in September and absolutely LOVED IT!!!! And the blogging has its ups and downs. This could actually use some work, too!

So there you have it!! My "check-in" for the week. I think I will have shorter check-ins from now on. As lovely as you all are, I don't want you to have read novels every time you come to my blog. Perhaps, I will choose an area to really focus in on and report in how I did for the week! For others checking in with their living well, click on the button at the top of this post!

Point Two

I went to my Weight Watchers meeting yesterday and weighed in at POINT TWO pounds gained. Two weeks ago, the same exact thing happened!! What is up with that??? Did I have a great week, counting points and exercising? No. In fact, I stopped walking towards the end of October and just got back into it yesterday morning. BUT, I had a good day yesterday, which led to me getting up to pee at least 3 times in the night (which I am sure is too much information, but this is what I believe to be the way the weight gets out of my body). I think when I get up in the morning to walk, I set the whole day in motion. It is like I am saying, I CHOOSE to get up out of this bed and start off the day with INTENTION of taking care of my body. I have done it two days in a row...I hope I can continue with this... And if I don't walk in the morning, I want to have the same INTENTION with my day.

See ya'll next week!!

Saturday Evening

What a week!! I had been praying that God help me to not cheat my employers by not putting in a full day's work (you know, when I spend more than the 15 minute coffee breaks or lunch breaks on the computer). Well, He helped me by making me more than busy at work this week!! And I feel better about my work, and He even helped me "make up" for the time I had been "cheating" them. But that came with a price :-) I have been working over my regular work hours and been tired when I come home. Meaning, I haven't blogged or read blogs much this week. I guess I need to pray for balance because if I keep working this hard, I will be burned out in no time. And I feel like when I have "down" time and blog or read blogs, it is stress management.

So, I need to work in the coffee (computer) breaks, and do some reading and writing...

On Monday of this past week, I went to a training for work (I am a social worker, working with children and families in their homes). I learned a parenting program that I am so very excited about. Not only will I be able to teach the families I work with this program, I plan to implement it in my home. I imagine I will post more on this later....but let me just tell you I am so pumped about a program that although there isn't anything just super new about it, it is just packaged really nicely. It is practical, does NOT involve physical discipline, and does include a reverent fear of authority (something missing in a lot of kids these days)!! If you want to see more, head on over to Positive Parenting with a Plan and check it out yourself. I will let you know how it works in my home.

On Wednesday, I attended my Financial Peace University session at my church. This is also going very well. Each week, I get more and more excited about the things we learn in there. I feel confident that it is changing our life. And it will go nicely with the parenting program because we can teach money management alongside implementing the Family Rules, very nicely.

Anyway, I am praying for a more balanced week. I've missed you guys out there in Bloggityville! Have a great weekend!

Weigh In Wednesday

I did not post last week because I had gained point 2 pounds, I was bummed and super busy as well. I haven't read the blogs I want to read. I haven't posted much....but enough excuses!

I went to my WW meeting Monday night and had lost some weight. In 5 weeks, up and down....so far I am down more than up--YAY!! I have lost in these 5 weeks a total of 3.4 pounds. Do I wish it was more? YESSS!!!! But I am not going to give up. That is still a loss and I'm happy to be headed in the right direction.

On Monday night, everyone shared their favorite tips and there was one tip I want to try. Use the French style green beans (drained well) as a base for a low calorie spaghetti sauce. Sounds disgusting, doesn't it? But she said not to knock it till you try it...so I plan on giving it a try!!

See you all next week!

And the winner is....

Random.org came up with the number 12 for me, which is a good thing because I just could not have CHOSEN from the comments. So the winner of the Fall Ya'll Giveaway of a Jeweled Ladybug Frame is....Geri at Altered Crow Designs. It was lots of fun and I ran out of time signing up so I didn't get signed up to many of the wonderful giveaways (man, I really wanted some chocolate or some Starbucks). We'll just have to see if I win the few that I did sign up for....crossing my fingers!!