Changes - part 2

Here is the second change we've made in the last two weeks ... this one we have talked about and wanted for years. We are thrilled to finally have our very own pool! Now if only this crazy weather would warm up so we could test it out!

You are ALL invited to come use it and enjoy it with us!
BEFORE:
DURING DIGGING:
START OF INSTALLATION:
ALMOST DONE:
FINISHING TOUCHES:
WATER GOES IN:
ALL DONE! We still have some work to do with landscaping and such, but the pool is done!

Changes - part 1

Lately we've been making lots of changes around our home. We've decided that we're going to stay living in our house for a while now, and just do some work to it to make it how we'd like it to be.
Here is the first part of our changes -- BEFORE:
AFTER: BEFORE:
AFTER:

It's Pool Day, It's Pool Day,

It's Pool Day!!!! Can you tell I'm excited??????

Details and pictures coming soon ....

Memorial Day Parade.

Not sure why the towns around us don't have parades on the actual dates ... but anyhow, the Memorial day parade was this past Sunday. H was excited to be in her very first parade, marching with the Girl Scouts troop.

J is an unofficial Girl Scout (or Tagalong as they call it) so she got to go along too. I must admit, I think it was MY first ever time in a parade too!

I don't have pics of them walking, but these are some cute pre-parade photos.

Thoughts of Thanksgiving ...

DINNER that is!


This big fella (and a few of his friends) has been visiting our yard every morning lately. The girls and I have had fun watching for them and trying to get as close as we can without scaring them. =) Hmmm ... I could go for some turkey and cranberry sauce right about now!

PLEASE PRAY for this family!

One of our nursery school Moms died on Friday. I just found out today. She was young, probably around 30 yrs old.

She leaves behind a loving Navy husband, Eric, two beautiful little ones - Tyler who is in Jilly's preschool class, and Morgan a little baby girl that is less than a year old.

Tyler and Morgan are two of the sweetest little ones I have ever met and my heart just breaks for them. The baby will never remember her Mom and Tyler will miss her deeply.

Susan has been very sick off and on for a while now but I never thought it would be so serious to take her life. I don't know many details yet.

PLEASE be in prayer for this family. And for the nursery school kids - my MIL is the preschool director and has to find a way to explain it to them in a way that they won't all be afraid. Jilly loves Tyler, he is a sweet friend and I know it will be hard to tell her that his Mommy died.

Pray for me too. This is hitting me hard. I wasn't really close with Susan but knowing that she is gone and thinking of her darling kids is just really hard. Thanks.

I CAN!

It's hard, super hard, extremely hard ... for me to be disciplined. I love to eat, I hate to exercise. It's really hard. I've been trying, I've been doing it, but it has not been easy. I guess it shouldn't surprise me that it's not easy - after all, it is called 'WORKing out' - that would suggest that it takes WORK!

Yesterday I felt like I made a huge breakthrough. I was at work and there were these big, soft chocolate chip cookies ... I was SO tempted! Then I read the back of the package, they had 270 calories in each one! I had to force myself to walk away, I just could not justify eating it! I know it seems like a minor thing, but I was proud that I had the willpower to walk away. In the past I would have eating TWO, just because, and would not have even cared about how many calories it cost me!

I can do this!

" I CAN do everything through HIM who gives me strength "
-phillipians 4:13

This has become my theme verse.
I hope it can encourage you too! 

Look-A-Likes

I was reading a couple of blogs the other day of some college friends. They also have two little girls each and were blogging about how they always like to match their girls clothing.

I had to laugh, and agree, because I too love to match the girls. It's fun, it's cute, they're girls so why not?? The funny thing is that now the girls actually CHOOSE to dress alike! They don't have too many matching outfits anymore but I often find them trying to wear something that is either the same, or very similar. They also think it's funny to play a game with Mommy and pretend to be the other child - as if I wouldn't know who was who!! It's very funny and cute so I play along. =) Here are a bunch of matchy, matchy pictures for you to enjoy!

WOOHOO!

H is now riding her two-wheeler with total independence! She is doing great and just loves the speed. It's been so fun to see her really 'take off' after so many times of trying and her getting very discouraged. We are so proud of you H-Bomb!!!

Encouragement

I've been trying for a couple of months now to lose some weight. 
And just to be healthier in every aspect of my life. Unfortunately,
I haven't seen any success yet when it comes to weight loss.
So I'm in the process of trying to figure out what steps I need to
take to start seeing results. 

Anyway, there is someone who is very special to me who is
always full of great words of encouragement ... especially on
the topic of healthful living.

I copied and pasted a portion of her email today because I
found it to be very encouraging and uplifting. 

Here it is:
" I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me "
Phillipians 4:13

Day 1 .....   Begin writing food eaten in
journal.

" If you bite it...write it "  ww motto

Day 1 ......  Begin cardio program, 10 minutes of any cardio (
eliptical, walking, dance dvd )    
          Write it in the journal !!!!

" The toughest thing about a new exercise program is the first
step "  -joyce meyer
     
Day 1.... " Draw on the limitless power of the Holy Spirit, rather than
your own very limited power.  HE will always lead you to victory . "
- Joyce Meyer



So my 3 things for day one that I need to remember are:
1. Write down everything I eat.
2. Start some kind of cardio, even if it's only 10 min to start
3. Pray for success and discipline, God will lead me to victory!

I think I can handle that.