future possibilities...

So I've been told many times that I have cute kids. Of course I agree, but I'm also their mom, so I am kind of biased! However, we get a ton of comments about Jackson specifically. Most people who know him will say how gorgeous he is - his eyes are amazing. And how much personality he has (isn't that the truth!) - he's a very outgoing and friendly kid with an enormous imagination. I've even had people tell me that I should get him into modeling or acting. I thought about it, but never considered it seriously. I just didn't want to force anything on him at such a young age. I always thought that if he ever had an interest, we could pursue it, but not until he was old enough to have an opinion on the matter.

Well on the way to school today, Jackson was chatting away in the back of the van as usual. Then he started singing in the most high-pitched voice ever. I asked him "Jack, why are you singing so high like that?" and he responded "Mom, I want to be a movie star."

So there ya go. He's just given me his opinion. I asked him if he really wanted to do that and why. He said he did because he loves to make people laugh and act silly. I still don't think I'll do anything about it right now, but it sure did make me think more about the possibility. Is it possible to raise a young actor to maintain family values and morals? Looking at the current celebrity society - I have my doubts.

But he is one cute little kid. And he does make us laugh. A lot. A lot a lot.

Let's check in ladies!

Okay, so we've been doing the diet/body challenge for a bit now. How are you ladies doing at this point? Any butt kicking needed? I think I might need it! But - I just joined the local gym, and I'm also going back to work part-time, so I think I'll be back on the ball here shortly. I've only lost 2 pounds, but I guess that's better than nothing!

So check in and let me know how you're doing!!!

certain things about the south I cannot grasp

Now, I will be the first to admit that while I may have grown up in the mid-west (or north, as it is referred to here), I've never felt like I belonged until I moved to the south. However, that does not mean I can forgo all the habits and mentalities of northern living. Life for instance, I still don't quite understand the term "fixin' ta" - actually I think I'd spell that "fixin' tuh" but you get my point. And why if the meteorologist predicts any kind of precipitation and a temperature anywhere near 32 degrees, the grocery stores become overwhelmed with alarmist shoppers fearing the end of the world. So, we got to experience this to a whole new level today...these pictures are for my "northern" friends and family...you'll understand.

This "storm" caused school to be delayed 2 hours today. Mind you, the streets and sidewalks were not cleared by anyone.




Frightful, isn't it? Sheesh. Although I shouldn't complain. After we got the school-wide phone call alerting us to the delay (at 6:00 am), we didn't have to get out of bed until after 8:00. And the kids are off Friday and Monday. I like sleeping in.

Wowie! Owie!

Okay, so my first session?  Piece of cake.  Last night's full hour session?  Ouch.  Funny thing about that hour session - it lasted an hour and twenty minutes.  Hmmm.  But my trainer Emily was wonderful and full of encouragement and advice.  She was kind enough to say that I'm not as bad off as I make myself out to be.  And she said that I'm actually pretty strong considering I haven't worked out in 2 years.  Sooo, today I can hardly walk up the stairs - but it's weird.  I'm not sore at all, just weak.  Like my legs know what to do but I can't make them do it.  I'm trying to decide if I go in today and just do some cardio or if I take one day off to recover and then hit it hard again tomorrow.  Alison and her three boys are coming today around lunch time, so that may keep me from heading out this evening.  They're staying for over a week, so I won't be using them as an excuse not to go past today.  We'll see how the afternoon plays out.  

On a totally different topic - holy hannah is it cold here!!!!!!  I'm soooo annoyed at this weather.  It really feels like Chicago right now and I'm just not happy about it.  I know I have no right to complain considering it was 80 degrees just a few weeks ago and it will be close to 70 by next week, but we're not supposed to get this cold!  I'm not mentally prepared for it!  Luckily the kids are all set w/heavy coats, hats, and gloves.  Can I just say thank goodness for mittens?  Jackson tried his best to figure out how to get his fingers into the right holes of his gloves but there was no chance.  He couldn't understand how to keep his fingers apart.  And he kept curling them inside the glove.  Luckily we still had mittens from last year and they still fit him (surprise, surprise).  I just didn't have the patience to sit there and try to teach him how to do it, plus we were late for school.

Okay, I must go clean my house a little bit for our guests.  They deserve some consideration!  Later taters!

Let the games begin!

Soooo, I had my first work-out at bally's last night.  They called me in the morning to schedule a time to come in and tour the gym and whatnot, and then said, "do you want to fit a workout in while you're here?"  I couldn't very well say no... so I let the ever so insanely muscular trainer have a whack at my fat flabby self.  It was actually a wonderful time, not to say that I didn't work.  But he made me laugh during the session and I didn't even realize I had done 100 crunches!  He kept having me do sets of 20 in different positions and before I knew it he said "that's 100."  I laughed because with all my c-sections, I didn't think I could do 10 crunches, let alone 100.  I did a few of their circuit machines after doing about 10 minutes on the elliptical machine.  Tonight I go back for the full 1 hour session.  This time I have a female trainer (I think Dave is much more comfortable with that) and she used to be a body builder.  I'll admit - I'm a little scared of her.  But apparently she's really good at motivating people and gets quick results.  That's exactly what I wanted.

The guys I met last night were of course trying to get me to commit to signing up for membership, and I'm tempted, but I want to try it out for a few weeks before doing that because it's a pretty long drive.  I need to see if the perks are worth the drive, or if our local gym would be sufficient.  We'll see.

So, my team members are Maria and Kristen (and I'm trying to coerce Heather into joining in as well).  Let's get it going ladies!  Did you sign up with Discovery Health yet?  Are you working out?  I've got a long way to go before I'll be happy with putting on a bathing suit, and only 4 months to get the job done.  Git r done.  (sorry, had to say it)

Updates

I promise - an update with lots of pictures is on the way...life is just a little busy.  But I'll get something up in the next day or two.