Our scheduled summer beach trips are almost upon us, and Ken and I are doing a last ditch effort to get back into shape before we have to squeeze and wiggle our way back into swim suits.
So in order to get motivated for the occasion we took pictures. Yep. Of ourselves. Scantily clad up against a wall like the criminals of candy and fat gluttons that we are. Let me just announce that my mirror in my master bathroom has been LYING to me! I knew I had some work to do, but those pictures...oh my gosh...those pictures of me are HORRID. I've got fat in places I never dreamed of. The worst is the picture of my entire backside. I had no idea what everyone else in this world has been witnessing for the last who knows how many months. I never knew I was getting a good sized roll under the band of my bra!!! Not to mention a bunch of other scary places.
So, with those pictures fresh in my head, I took to the treadmill and did something I have never done. I pressed the "Burn Fat" mode. I usually just manually control my speed and elevation, but I decided that I needed a personal trainer to kick my tail for 30 minutes. I HAD NO IDEA. As the title says, I feel like I was hitched up to four horses and they took off at a full run in four different directions. Everything hurts. The wicked treadmill essentially had me run for two miles straight at a very fast pace with very little rest.
I'm supposed to visit my DVD friend Tammi Lee today to work on those abs and arms. I don't want to. After a full day of three kids. I just don't want to.
I need to go look at those pictures again before I burn them.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Thursday, May 04, 2006
10 Years of Marriage...& Counting: The Date
Ken and I spent the next two evenings chatting on the phone trying to get rid of the absolute awkwardness that would be between us with just 10 minutes of info on each other. I found out very quickly that I really liked this guy. It was decided that we would have a dinner date at an Italian restaurant and then head off to a comedy club called "The Funny Bone".
On the evening of the "big day" I begged my Marine Corps Father to at least acknowledge the existance of this young man. I told him I thought this might really be someone special. Dad, was super hard on guys. Not that he gave them a rough time. Not at all. Quite the opposite. He didn't give them the time of day. So I beseeched my Father to do something more than a drive by peer from a distance down over the stair banister thingy. When the doorbell rang, it seemed like the entire family (minus my Dad) came running to greet the new kid.
Ken was dressed to the nines...my kind of nines at least. Again in a polo shirt and nice pressed shorts. I was taught frugality at an early age, so I had managed to scrounge up the tiniest pair of Goodwill jeans I owned, and a black sleeveless top. My younger brothers drooled over the cool Blazer waiting for us in the street. And thankfully, my Father did manage to work up some eye contact.
I was all too happy to be out of my family's sights and equally nervous to actually be finally on an actual date with this guy I didn't even dare to deserve. As we were pulling out of the housing development, Ken said something I'll never forget. It broke the ice for me. I still can't put my finger on what it was. "Are you nervous?", he said. There was something about stating and answering the obvious that put the whole scene at ease. The windows were rolled a bit down, and the wind was swirling in the car about as much as my stomach was flipping over. I stared at him with the silliest girly gaze of wonder.
I remember hearing him in the car. Hearing the air exhale as he breathed through his nose. Something anyone else could do and it would annoy me crazy, but with him, I remember feeling like it was an assurance that he was alive. The guy at the wheel, that looked like he stepped out of that catalog was real. (I still love to listen to him breathe.)
So we ended up going on an amazing date. I won't bore you with the minute details. I quickly learned that I was in the presence of a young man who really knew, KNEW, how to treat a young lady, thanks to two older sisters and an outstanding set of parents. Our conversation sailed happily wherever the winds of topics blew. When the date was over, we drove home. There was still an hour of daylight, so we took an evening stroll around the neighborhood. He learned that I wasn't afraid to pick up a frog, and I learned on our return back to the house that he had just ended a 3 year relationship with another young lady. **double gulp**
After what amounted to be a perfect ten for a date. I dodged the kiss (or so he says) and we hugged good night. And than he said something that would have me dumbfounded for the next week..."It's probably best that we just stay good friends."
WHAT!!!??????
After all of his pursuit? After all the good vibes? I get the "Let's just be friends" line????
I wasn't sore over it. Even as I was still feeling myself getting crazier over him by the minute. I even had this tiny little picture of us in a key chain we had gotten at the comedy club to obsess over while I was in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. I knew he was too good to be true. Not him per se, but the situation.
I packed for Colorado that night, thinking that maybe we would be friends. Who knows. Despite that stupid line, I felt good about the whole thing. Maybe God was giving me a gift, after all of our talks together that summer. Maybe he thought I could use a night on the town and some innocent fun. A Cinderella moment. It was just nice to go out on a great date with a handsome young gentleman who could make me laugh so effortlessly.
So what if he didn't call me again? I'd go back to my life and think about him again. Just at a little less of a distance this time.
On the evening of the "big day" I begged my Marine Corps Father to at least acknowledge the existance of this young man. I told him I thought this might really be someone special. Dad, was super hard on guys. Not that he gave them a rough time. Not at all. Quite the opposite. He didn't give them the time of day. So I beseeched my Father to do something more than a drive by peer from a distance down over the stair banister thingy. When the doorbell rang, it seemed like the entire family (minus my Dad) came running to greet the new kid.
Ken was dressed to the nines...my kind of nines at least. Again in a polo shirt and nice pressed shorts. I was taught frugality at an early age, so I had managed to scrounge up the tiniest pair of Goodwill jeans I owned, and a black sleeveless top. My younger brothers drooled over the cool Blazer waiting for us in the street. And thankfully, my Father did manage to work up some eye contact.
I was all too happy to be out of my family's sights and equally nervous to actually be finally on an actual date with this guy I didn't even dare to deserve. As we were pulling out of the housing development, Ken said something I'll never forget. It broke the ice for me. I still can't put my finger on what it was. "Are you nervous?", he said. There was something about stating and answering the obvious that put the whole scene at ease. The windows were rolled a bit down, and the wind was swirling in the car about as much as my stomach was flipping over. I stared at him with the silliest girly gaze of wonder.
I remember hearing him in the car. Hearing the air exhale as he breathed through his nose. Something anyone else could do and it would annoy me crazy, but with him, I remember feeling like it was an assurance that he was alive. The guy at the wheel, that looked like he stepped out of that catalog was real. (I still love to listen to him breathe.)
So we ended up going on an amazing date. I won't bore you with the minute details. I quickly learned that I was in the presence of a young man who really knew, KNEW, how to treat a young lady, thanks to two older sisters and an outstanding set of parents. Our conversation sailed happily wherever the winds of topics blew. When the date was over, we drove home. There was still an hour of daylight, so we took an evening stroll around the neighborhood. He learned that I wasn't afraid to pick up a frog, and I learned on our return back to the house that he had just ended a 3 year relationship with another young lady. **double gulp**
After what amounted to be a perfect ten for a date. I dodged the kiss (or so he says) and we hugged good night. And than he said something that would have me dumbfounded for the next week..."It's probably best that we just stay good friends."
WHAT!!!??????
After all of his pursuit? After all the good vibes? I get the "Let's just be friends" line????
I wasn't sore over it. Even as I was still feeling myself getting crazier over him by the minute. I even had this tiny little picture of us in a key chain we had gotten at the comedy club to obsess over while I was in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. I knew he was too good to be true. Not him per se, but the situation.
I packed for Colorado that night, thinking that maybe we would be friends. Who knows. Despite that stupid line, I felt good about the whole thing. Maybe God was giving me a gift, after all of our talks together that summer. Maybe he thought I could use a night on the town and some innocent fun. A Cinderella moment. It was just nice to go out on a great date with a handsome young gentleman who could make me laugh so effortlessly.
So what if he didn't call me again? I'd go back to my life and think about him again. Just at a little less of a distance this time.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Release The Chickens!!!
...Because Faith has just turned 1/4 of a year old. She's really turning into a beautiful little girl. (Not that she wasn't already, but her personality is catching up with her cuteness). She's experimenting with her voice and every once in awhile she surprises herself with a little shriek of glee.
The last week has brought huge milestones including her ability to grasp and mouth a few of her toys. She's also found strong interest in the wide world of textiles. Faith will try with great effort to touch any type of clothing and study it intensely. The world in full color has brought on a whole new level of entertainment and distractions. Her highness misses nothing, and this makes it difficult to nurse when there is a swarm of children around the rocker. Faith continues to strive for a new family record for earliest walker - her feet are always in motion, and her favorite position is at a full stand. And those long sweet conversations during meal times with Mama are absolutely priceless folks!
Faith follows us with her eyes around the room and expresses her excitement as we approach her with a super duper happy feet dance. The children still love on her daily, and their hard work is returned with an abundances of smiles and coos. And at the end of the day, Daddy has that special something, when Mommy's bag of tricks either get boring or run out. Daddy can turn those frowns upside down, and Faith is at peace again in those big protective Papa arms.
Happy 1/4 Birthday Sweet Pea!
How precious you are to us.
The last week has brought huge milestones including her ability to grasp and mouth a few of her toys. She's also found strong interest in the wide world of textiles. Faith will try with great effort to touch any type of clothing and study it intensely. The world in full color has brought on a whole new level of entertainment and distractions. Her highness misses nothing, and this makes it difficult to nurse when there is a swarm of children around the rocker. Faith continues to strive for a new family record for earliest walker - her feet are always in motion, and her favorite position is at a full stand. And those long sweet conversations during meal times with Mama are absolutely priceless folks!
Faith follows us with her eyes around the room and expresses her excitement as we approach her with a super duper happy feet dance. The children still love on her daily, and their hard work is returned with an abundances of smiles and coos. And at the end of the day, Daddy has that special something, when Mommy's bag of tricks either get boring or run out. Daddy can turn those frowns upside down, and Faith is at peace again in those big protective Papa arms.
How precious you are to us.
Mommy & Me
We interrupt this regularly scheduled program of "Young & The Restless...The Christian Version", to acknowledge and celebrate a few milestones in motherhood. Today, Faith officially turns...drum roll please...1/4 Years Old. I always imagined that we'd have close moments, but I never imagined them with her snuggled up against the nape of my neck for a morning snooze.
These times are so special. I look forward to each day with Faith. In this month dedicated to all Mothers, I am so thankful for my other two blessings that certainly exceed their weight limit for a back carry and alas, rarely take naps at all. And while my mother didn't carry me on her back, I am forever grateful that she certainly did spiritually with her faith and prayers.
These times are so special. I look forward to each day with Faith. In this month dedicated to all Mothers, I am so thankful for my other two blessings that certainly exceed their weight limit for a back carry and alas, rarely take naps at all. And while my mother didn't carry me on her back, I am forever grateful that she certainly did spiritually with her faith and prayers.
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