29 of 31 - Happy Monday!

We had a quiet weekend.  We needed it.  Katie is having surgery Thursday, so I tried to finish up some things that I knew I wouldn't have a chance to work on later in the week.

I got started on my tablecloth!  I'm so excited to see it start coming together.  And I have officially turned into my mother. . . I know have a sewing project I'll work on for the next thirty years.  I even have a bag for it so I can carry it with me places.  

We did a lot of swinging, walking around the neighborhood, and cooking this weekend.

What's for dinner at your house this week?  We're having chicken and eggplant, aztec chicken in the crockpot, mexican rice, stuffed peppers, and leftovers.  

Happy Monday!

28 of 31 - Getting Ready for Halloween

Chris was at it again with his pumpkin carving!

He and the boys did two pumpkins Friday while I was at work and Katie was napping.

Today Katie worked on coloring a kitty mask.

She worked on it for a long time!

Then Chris worked on her.....

He did two more pumpkins today - a spider and a cat.

After about 14 pictures, this is what I got.  I'm not sure what's wrong with Jack in this, other than it was freezing out and he wanted to go eat a cupcake!!  I can't wait to show you their costumes this year!

27 of 31 - Wild Flours

If you are local, you must go to Wild Flours.

Wild Flours is an organic, all natural bakery and mill in Murfreesboro.  They grind their own fresh grains and make amazing breads, cookies, muffins, and treats.

They have a store right off the square, and it's so, so cute.

I love the way it is decorated, and - even more than that - love the products they have!

We picked up some of the whole wheat bread at the farmer's market this weekend.  I gave everyone a slice last night with dinner with a little bit of honey (also from the market) on top.  David said, "This is the best food I have ever put in my mouth."  I have to agree with him.  Henry said, "I want to marry this bread."  

This is some seriously good bread.  We are now rationing it, calling it "the good bread", and I've hidden it from the kids so they won't just gorge themselves on it.  I will have to go back this week to get more, because it is so fantastic.

I also let the boys each get a cinnamon roll at the farmer's market.  They were gone in about 4 minutes. I think that warmed up these would be even more amazing.  And more than just tasting great, the breads and baked goods she makes are made with things that are good for you and your children.  

Please - if you are local - stop in to Wild Flours.  This is a great little local store for us, and I promise you will not be sorry!

26 of 31 - Jack's Fall Festival

I LOVE Jack's school this year.  He has fantastic teachers who love him so much, and he's learned a lot.  It's a fun school, and they had a fall festival on Friday.  Chris took all of the kids, because the big boys were out for parent-teacher conferences.

Katie loved it, which was not a surprise.  They had a pumpkin patch, pony rides, bouncies, lunch, and the kids were able to play on the playground.  It was beautiful weather, and they all had a great time.

Of course, Katie loved the horses.  It was the same man who had the horses at David and Henry's birthday party last year, and he is the nicest man ever.  The big boys weren't so interested in the horses this year, more in jumping in the bounce houses.  Everyone loved it!

25 of 31 - The 24 Day Challenge

Chris and I are on day 18 of the Advocare 24 Day Challenge.  I will tell you, we were both a little skeptical.  The first 10 days of the program are a cleanse and the last 14 are for weight loss.  We took before pictures, weighed ourselves, and measured ourselves.  And if we weren't ready to start the program before then, seeing the numbers on paper and seeing our hideous before pictures did it!

We had already been taking steps toward being healthier, eating healthier, and being more active.  The 24 day challenge though has been fantastic for us.  In the last 18 days, Chris has lost eleven pounds and I've lost ten.  I had started to watch what I was eating, did my juice fast, and was just generally being more conscious of my choices before we started the challenge, and I'm so excited to say that since my birthday (June 5th), I've now lost twenty-six pounds.

This was me at my birthday party in June.

And this is now.  I am so happy with the Advocare products that I will certainly continue after our challenge.  Please do not think I'm telling you that the products are why I've lost weight though; they're not.  The products, in conjunction with drinking a gallon of water a day and eating much differently is what I have done.  It's not rocket science, but it sure works!  I can't wait to do my measurements at the end of the 24 days.  I certainly see a difference in how my clothes fit...

These are all of the clothes that I'm getting rid of that don't fit me.  (I'm not exactly sure what I'll wear to work now...)  I did get a new sweater set today.  I'm going to reward myself for each ten pounds I lose.

If you want to know more about Advocare and the 24 day challenge, please let me know.  I'd love to share it with you!

24 of 31 - VOTE

Whether you did it early or will do it next week, please, please, please VOTE!

I went Saturday and cast my vote.  David and Henry came into the booth with me and pressed the buttons I told them to press.  I want them to understand what a big deal it is for us to be able to vote, and how important it is for them to do so when they are able.

So whether your choice is for the incumbent or someone else, please use your vote!  I'll never tell who I voted for.  But Katie had a mighty cute hair clip in the other day....

23 of 31 - Happy Anniversary To Us!

Nine years ago, we went to Maui and got married.  Just the two of us.  We had known each other for four months.  Nine years, eight surgeries, seven cars, six round trip Russian plane tickets, five vacations, four children, three houses, two dogs, and one great ride later, marrying him was still the best crazy thing I've ever done.