The beginning of Summer!

Of course, Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning of summer. And I love Memorial Day. This year Marty was home, not working at all. I was so happy. 

Sunday we took the kids to my moms to play for a few hours so we could go to the Memorial Day ceremony at Fort Custer National Cemetery. It's always a very beautiful ceremony. But it's very hard to take young kids to something like that and have them cooperate the whole time. 

Military plane fly over. So cool! They flew over 3 times, and I got a video!

Presenting of the colors!

We went back to my moms after the ceremony for dinner with her, my grandma and the kids. Ribs, veggies and potatoes. It was so good. After dinner, we played outside; catch and basketball. The kids also played in the kiddie pool my mom has. They loved it. We let them spend the night with her that night.

Marty and I spend the evening and night going to South Haven. We had a nice walk on the beach and pier. And really we were just able to spend some much needed couple time together, without the kids.

On the pier, not the best picture.

Monday we picked up the kids and headed out to Papa and Grandmas house for dinner with the family. Dad made huge elk burgers. They were so big, I couldn't finish mine. We also had pasta salad and fruit. It was very good.

We had a great weekend and I had so much fun! Hope you enjoyed your weekend as well!

Dance, dance, dance!

Mackenzie had her very first dance recital last night! She did so well. Her whole group did, of course. It had to be the cutest thing ever!

Mackenzie's class were sailors! The did a little dance to "By The Sea". They wore poofy white and blue dresses and little white sailor hats. There were no real ballet moves at their age, just balance and coordination. But adorable, none the less.

She wants to dance again in the summer classes and next fall. I'm excited for her!

Changes Again

Some new things here again.

I'm on the hunt again. For a job. My appointment was up at the post office and there were too many PSE's so they decided to have lay offs, so I was included in that. However, I was going to quit at the same time that I was laid off, so I was fine with that. No huge blow to the ego like there would have been. I will say there's not a lot of full time jobs hiring right now, so who knows when I'll be able to find a job, but I'm trying. I search everyday and apply to all that I qualify for and meet our basic needs.

On another note, I'm down almost 18 lbs! And over 13" all over since I started measuring. I'm excited! I feel better and look better! I've gotten a lot of compliments and that gives me a boost. I've had my cravings, which are horrible, but I've either not given in, or had just enough to satisfy it. I'm really working on my self control. I've tried to get my workout in at least 6 days a week. I've noticed, if I don't, I'm very disappointed in myself, so I just do it, even when I don't want to. One day I'll reach my goal!

Must go, it's lunch time. Have a great week!

Cameron's 2!!!

I'm late on this post. Oh well!

Cameron's 2! And into everything!

We celebrated his birthday at home, on his birthday. With pizza, cupcakes and ice cream. He got a Spider-Man toy from Mackenzie and Thomas the train track and train from Marty and me.

The next Sunday he had his party at a bowling alley. Everyone had a blast! All the kids bowled. We had a pizza (again), great tasting cake and presents!

I can't believe he's already 2. I really have no more babies. Toddler and preschooler, and they both have their own personalities and do everything on their own. I hear "no mommy I'll do it" all the time now, it's weird.

Next stop, potty training!

Happy Easter!!!

Another Easter gone. We had a lot of good times at church and as a family!

Sunday March 24, the kids and I, dad, Carol, Taylor and Danielle went to the Easter egg hunt at Carols brother, Doug's house. The kids had a ball and they got to play with Doug and Leslie's granddaughter, Sho. They got tons of candy and played like crazy.

Saturday before Easter I took the kids to the Easter vigil mass at church. It didn't start until 8:30 and is a very beautiful service, but way too long for the kids. We have baptisms, confirmations and first communions at this service. I think it's the most beautiful service of the year. However, next year we will be going to Easter Day mass.

Easter was a great day. When we got up the kids got to get their Easter baskets. They had their Easter egg hunt. I had to use plastic eggs this year because last year Mackenzie had to try to beat Buddy to the real eggs. This year he left the plastic ones alone. We had dinner at Doug's house for Easter. There was so much food and it was so good. I let myself eat whatever I wanted. No counting calories! I still did pretty good, didn't go crazy.

I hope everyone had a great Easter!

Updates!

So I have a new update.

I finally got on the scale. I've dropped almost 8 lbs. Just tons for hard work and eating right! I feel great and I'm very happy. I've been doing strength and cardio and I've improved at least a little on my cardio. I've improved quite a bit in the strength department :) I was doing leg workouts and arms for a few weeks, along with the stationary bike. I've decided to start running. I've been out twice, and then it snowed again. I can't wait for spring to get out and run. It clears my head and relieves strees (even though I really suck :)). Last week I got myself a Jillian Michaels workout DVD. 30 day shred. I've started on level 1. I think tonight I'm going to give a try on level 2. It's great!

I've found some great healthy recipes. I made chicken kabobs at only 176 calories a skewer. We like boiled dinner here so I'm using red skin potatoes, cabbage and turkey smoked sausage so it's a bit healthier. There's a few more I've found that I'm going to be making soon. I can't wait! They've all turned out so yummy!

Have to get back to the kids. Enjoy!!!

Stuff

Yet again, nothing new around her :) Just been going about daily stuff lately.

Yesterday I made Mackenzie's Easter dress! It had its challenging parts, which I like and it's hard parts. I only had to use my seam ripper once! And that's just because something wasn't even. She asked me in January to make her dress instead of buying one for her. She likes to be able to help pick out the material and colors and "accessories" like ribbon and flowers. We picked out a light pink with bold pink and green flowers. It turned out very nice and she's in love with it. It's a longer dress which she likes and it's hard to find long dresses for little girls.

Today we found out that she gets to have her pictures taken in her dance outfit! I'm pretty happy about that. She's so excited for her rehearsal in May. And so am I. It's the cutest dance and with a bunch of 3 year olds dancing, it's even cuter!

About my changes... I haven't been on the scale so I don't know numbers, but I've worked out everyday for the last 14 and really watched what I've been eating too. I feel better weather I've lost any weight yet or not. I'm supposed to have a rest day tomorrow, but I skipped my last one because I got have way through the day and felt guilty that I hadn't had a workout yet, so we'll see. I'll keep updating on my progress!

It was great weather today, about 45. And it's supposed to be almost 50 tomorrow! I can't wait for spring to be here!