A little bit frustrated.

Okay, I have been busting my tail working out and trying to eat better for the last month and I haven't been seeing the kind of results that I had hoped for. It's frustrating. I've made a conscious effort to eat better, only splurging occasionally and not in excess, I try to drink more water (this is a hard one for me), and I have been working out at least 5 days per week. When I say working out, I'm not talking about the kind of working out where you come out smelling as good as you did when you started, I'm talking about the kind of working out where you need a shower with lots of soap to be presentable to the world.

How much have I lost?????


Drum roll please.....


...FIVE STINKIN' POUNDS!!!!!!!


Grrrrrrr!!!!!

Do I feel better physically? Yes, I do. I can definitely tell a big difference in my cardio capabilities and I like that. I just wish I'd start seeing results. It would make being good with food so much easier if I saw that things were working.

I did talk to one of the trainers at the Y about my frustrations this week. She suggested adding in weights so I went to Group Power Lift on Monday, Abs & Arms on Tues, and will be doing Group Power Lift again on Friday. That changes a few things because I can only keep the kids in childcare for 2 hours (understandable) so I can't get a shower at the Y before leaving, I have to do it at home. I hate taking that time out when I could be doing something fun with the kids.

I also have a fitness evaluation with this trainer but I couldn't get in until mid-February. I guess that's okay even though I was hoping to get it done asap so I would know how to better achieve my goals.

Last frustration, I promise. I really, really wanted to run/walk the 1/2 marathon this year. I've tried running a few times and each and every time I get horrible shin splints. It kills to run. It was suggested that I get new shoes at Fleet Feet but I just can't go and spend $100 on shoes without being sure that they would do the trick. Watch me spend the money and STILL get shin splints!

Maybe I'll just have to walk the whole thing - anyone want to walk it with me???

Excuse the pity party post - I'm just frustrated with this after putting so much consistent work into it.

Oh Jessica!!!!

If you can read blogs then you can START one and teach all of us bargain-challenged people how to get the crazy deals that you do on a regular basis!!! :)

He cares about the little things too.

I just had a neat reminder that God is in control of the big and small things.

I was getting out of my car, at home, and was about to hit the lock button when I just stopped and decided to make sure I had my keys. Doesn't seem like a big thing to you, right?

Well, I never do that. I rarely check to make sure I have my keys because I always do the same exact thing with them, put them in my purse, pick up my purse and get out of the car. I had my purse in hand so of course I had my keys - right?

Wrong.

They were on the driver's side floor, they must have fallen out.

So, there's my little reminder that God cares about the little things too. He prompted me to stop and make sure I had my keys, my ONLY set of keys, keeping me from locking myself out of the car.

Thank you Jesus!

Spiritual Security

Our pastor is doing a series at church called Q & A (Questions & Answers). Several weeks back church members were encouraged to send in questions that they may have and they'd work on answering several via blogs and services. Good idea.

This week's message was on eternal security but titled Spiritual Security. I was a bit nervous thinking about it as it can be a real source of contention between denominations. I knew it wasn't going to one of those kind of sermons but still, I wondered.

Can I just tell you - you HAVE to listen to this message - it is awesome. God really spoke through our Pastor today. It wasn't the message I expected, it was better.

I won't spoil it for you - take a listen.

http://www.fbcsmyrna.org/default.aspx?shellfunction=mediaarchives - click on Sunday Messages. It's about 44 minutes in length - worth listening to!

Thank you, Pat, for not being afraid to tackle the hard issues and doing it right!

Possibly a pet in the future?

Some friends of ours came through town on their way to California (moving via Marines) and stayed with us on Friday & Saturday night. They brought with them their two pets - a dog named Chief and a cat named Bob. We were a little concerned because we don't have pets currently and Morgan & Owen tend to react pretty negatively to pets, especially dogs. Drew LOVES animals so we weren't concerned about him.



Owen's first real experience with a dog happened when we moved to TN and he came eye to eye with a black lab that was bigger than him. It kind of freaked him out and he hasn't had a love relationship with pets ever since. He didn't have one this time. I think he spent every waking moment extremely aware of where Chief was and much of that time on my lap, shaking.



Morgan used to respond this way to pets despite being in a home daycare with one from the time she was 6 weeks old. This time she did SO well and suprised all of us (proof below LOL).



Drew, well, I think he fell in love with Chief and couldn't get enough of him or Bob. He spent most of his time with the animals. It was fun to watch.



Even Eric came away saying that he would consider getting a pet in the future because the kids (minus Owen) seemed to love it so much - that's a BIG deal.



Here are a few pics:

What's your personality type?

I saw this on my cousin's blog and thought it would be fun. Not suprised by what it says as I've almost always come out as an ENFP ever since college. I know I'm a strong NF (intuitive, feeler), but I'm more in the middle on the Introvert/Extrovert and Judging/Perceiving (at least that's what I remember them standing for).

Edited to add - I just reread the summary below and laughed out loud when it said "unimpressed by authority and rules." I'm sure my previous employer could testify that this was probably true at times. Yikes. Maybe it's the military brat in me rebelling - LOL!

You Are An ENFP

The Inspirer You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends.You are also unconventional, irreverent, and unimpressed by authority and rules.Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives.You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're quite the storyteller! In love, you are quite the charmer. And you are definitely willing to risk your heart.You often don't follow through with your flirting or professed feelings. And you do break a lot of hearts. At work, you are driven but not a workaholic. You just always seem to enjoy what you do.You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist. How you see yourself: compassionate, unselfish, and understanding When other people don't get you, they see you as: gushy, emotional, and unfocused

What's" Your Personality Type?

When the enemy strikes

I've been pondering this subject a lot the past couple of weeks because of a variety of situations I've been around. Today, in particular, has gotten to me. I was thinking on things when I came across one of our pastor's blogs and he mentioned a book that he had read called "When the Enemy Strikes" by Charles Stanley. I think I would really like to read this book just after reading the editorial review on Amazon. Here is what it had to say:

At some point every Christian will experience a satanic attack-a willful, determined assault by the Devil to harm our spirit, soul, or body. God wants Christians to be under His control, but the Enemy will do his best to destroy everything good in our lives. So the question is not how to avoid satanic attacks, but how to overcome them.

Satan is a very powerful adversary. However, God does not leave us to defend ourselves, and He wants us to understand His supernatural and unlimited ability to help us. Dr. Stanley will show readers how to achieve victory by:

1. Identifying the enemy
2. Dressing in the full armor of God and standing firm
3. Releasing God's energy, divine power, and protection through prayer
4. Sensing the fore warnings of Satan's attacks on finances, family, relationships, or health

Spiritual warfare is fought every day on the battlefield of your mind. The Adversary knows that if he can direct your thinking, it's only a matter of time before you're vulnerable to the allure of sin. Dr. Stanley teaches that to stand against Satan's attacks, you must meditate upon biblical principles and arm yourself with the sword of the spirit-God's Word.

Sometimes Satan just makes me so mad. I hesitate to even post this because I don't want anyone thinking I'm one of those crazy people that thinks every shadow is a demon - I don't. That said, I do think that at times we minimalize the spiritual battle that is going on unseen around us. That is exactly what the enemy wants. If we don't take his game seriously, then he can sneak in an do even more damage.

I've seen the damage that Satan can cause in lives this week and it has me mad. I have several friends who are under serious attack and they are struggling. Personally this has been a hard fought two weeks for me. I don't think that there has been a couple of weeks where I felt so directly under attack as I have lately. I'd like to be able to tell you that I was responding the way that God would have me. I would like to tell you that I put on God's armor and stood firm against the devil. I didn't. I wallowed in it pretty good for a week. I won't go into details because my personal battle really isn't' the issue here.

After wallowing in it, I got mad. Mad at myself for not taking hold of the power that I have in Jesus to tell the devil to get the heck out. Mad at myself for giving into the same old temptations as I always do. Mad at the devil for so effectively deceiving my friends that they would also neglect to put on the full armor of God and fight back.

I don't have to live in defeat and neither do you. Satan has read the Book, he knows that he's going to lose. It's done. The power of sin in my life was finished when Jesus died on the cross and rose again. As a believer I don't have to be a slave to the devil and his schemes, I am free. SO ARE YOU.

Believe it.

Walk in it.

Tell Satan to take a hike.

They are growing FAST

Last year Morgan was able to wear the winter clothes she had from the previous year. Obviously she did some growing since then and we had to buy her a new size for this winter. Same with Drew, new wardrobe there too this winter.

I was hoping to at least get through this fall/winter with them in the same size but it appears they have both had a growth spurt and now their pants are a little short!!!! I'm all for being healthy and growing but buying 2 wardrobes in one season puts a little damper on the ole bank account!

So - if anyone has any 7slims and 5slims you want to pass along - I'm your girl!

Picketing Heath Ledgers funeral

According to Foxnews:

A radical Baptist church in Kansas known for picketing the funerals of
soldiers who perished in Iraq said it intends to protest Heath Ledger's memorial
service with signs claiming the actor died and is in Hell because he played a
gay character in “Brokeback Mountain.”

Stuff like this gets me upset. Gotta love how "effectively" this particular church is sharing the love of Christ (yes, add lots of sarcasm).

As a Christ-follower, I am appalled at this.

Yes, God does hate sin - ALL sin. No we shouldn't pretty it up and avoid the subject but do you really think that God wants us going to a memorial service shouting that someone is burning in hell because of their particular sin?

I wish I could find the link to a sermon that our pastor did on this very subject because I'd post it. Maybe I'll go back and find it.

Either way, stuff like this makes me mad because that is what a lost world will see about my Jesus. Maybe the person without any sin should be the first one to pick up one of the picket signs.

Yes, I changed it again.

If I could move my furniture around all the time, I'd do that too! Guess it's nice to have a blog design to change when I get a hankering. I'd really love to just have a blog design done for me but that will come later.

So, for the time being, welcome to a new look!

Memory Foam

Many of you mentioned a memory foam mattress pad topper to help with the back problems I've been having sleeping on our sleep number bed.

Well, we put one on last night and I will say that my back didn't hurt nearly as bad this morning. I didn't have a great night's sleep but I don't think that was from the bed as much as from the tv being left on and Owen coming into our room in the middle of the night.

Thanks for the suggestions - we'll see how it continues to go! I guess it's cheaper than buying a new bed.


OHHH - I asked my friend what the name of that bed was that she bought after staying in a hotel. It was the Heavenly Bed and it was the Westin hotel. LINK HERE: WESTIN HEAVENLY BED.

I'm a lucky girl

I am sure that Eric is going to read this, get embarrassed, and ask me to take it down. So - if you see it before that happens, then you are lucky (not quite as lucky as I am thought. ;) )

I have to tell you ladies, I have an amazing husband. Today was one of those days where I was hit with just how lucky I am.

Nothing crazy happened, I just got to thinking and realized that I have it good - God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and life partner.

What makes him so great? Here are just a few things:

1. He cares about us. A couple of weeks ago I talked to him about an area of our relationship that I'd really like us to work on. He has done so faithfully and I appreciate that. It shows that he values us and that's so important.

2. He is a wonderful father. He loves hanging out with the kids and comes up with some great things to do with them. A couple of things stick out to me right now like going to Wal-Mart before coming home and buying ice cream cones, cake mix, and icing to make ice-cream cone cupcakes with the kids or taking them swimming at the YMCA. He loves doing stuff like that.

3. He helps out around the house. He puts me to shame sometimes with all that he does. He does dishes (often), vacuums, picks up, etc. After talking with other women, I know this isn't always the case. I'm lucky that he really sees the chores around the house as an "us" job and not just a "wife" job.

4. He is understanding of my need for "Andie" time and is good to let me get it. I have to admit, I'm a selfish person, and I really do need a lot of "me" time to recharge and be a better wife & mother. I like to scrapbook, stamp, hang out with the ladies, etc. and he is very accommodating to that.

5. He can take care of three kids, including bath, meals, and bed without any problem or complaint. I know this isn't the case with all men and I'm thankful that he also views our parenting as a team thing!

6. Have you seen him? He's a good looking guy! :)

The list could go on and on. I'm sure I'm making him blush and I'll get talked to about talking TOO much on a public blog.

One last thing before I sign off. I was reminded the other day how God has a sense of humor some times. Back when I first became a Christian, I said this silly little prayer about my future husband and included a little request that, well, it was just kind of ridiculous. Included in my laundry list of things in an ideal husband was that my husband wear Nautica cologne. Don't ask me - I was in high school and apparently at the time it was important to me.

Guess what kind of cologne Eric wore when I met him and for years after that? Yep - you guessed it - Nautica! Drew just bought him some for Christmas and I just love the sent of it.

Read this while you can. :)

For you scrappers out there...

One of the ladies at our church's scrapbook night showed me an email she gets called Valerie's Sketches. I googled it and it turns out that Valerie has a blog. LOTS of good ideas here - check it out!

Thanks for the reference Jana!

CLICK TITLE FOR LINK!

Mish Mash

Another post where I just ramble on. I'm sorry. This is what happens when my mind is on several different things.

1. Morgan read her first book tonight. Granted, she needed some help but I would say that she read 70% of it all on her own. She read the Dr. Seuss book "Hop on Pop." A great book for a beginner. I can't believe my baby is learning to read!!!

2. When Drew started preschool 2 days a week in September his coloring was basically scribbling. Now he can write his name, color in the lines and actually choose colors for different things in a picture as opposed to coloring everything the same color. WOW - that's some progress.

3. Owen is talking a TON. It's crazy how quickly his vocabulary has taken off. My favorite saying of his right now, whenever he eats or drinks something he likes, "That feels me better". So cute!

4. I get why someone who doesn't really know you well would choose to talk to you about an area that they know you have in common when they see you but after 5 months of the same conversation each and every time I see this particular person, it's getting old. Oh well...

5. I still can't drink all the water that I'm supposed to.

6. Laundry never ends.

7. Why is it that I go to the grocery store for a moderate amount of items but then I realize that I'm out of diapers, pull-ups (yes, Drew still wears them at night, no comments please), wet wipes, Tide, and many other cleaners ALL AT THE SAME TIME? Do you know how expensive that stuff is?? Would have been nice to spread that stuff out a bit.

8. When is the writer's strike going to be over - I'm tired of reruns! Get on with it!

9. American Idol is great but I should have remembered that the auditions weren't exactly little kid appropriate. It started with the Pat Benetar wannabe and Morgan asking why there were American Idol logos on her mouth and hands and promptly ended when the guy came out in a cape, dropping it to reveal that he was Esau in a bra and underwear. Nice.

10. I still love Mexican food but I'm no longer craving it like I was before. That's a good thing I think.

11. I've lost about 5 lbs in the past 2 weeks. YAY me!

That's all folks!

Old Navy!

I saw that others have mentioned the HUGE sale going on at Old Navy but I thought I'd give a shout-out to it as well.

All their clearance is an add'l 50% off right now thru Wednesday. I seemed like most of the store was on sale, there was a TON of stuff.

I went shopping last night with Shea and, well, 3 huge shopping bags later, we left. SO many good deals. I will say that there was probably more deals for Morgan than for Drew & Owen but there were still LOTS of stuff for boys too. Stuff for men & women as well!

It wasn't just fall/winter stuff either, I got several shirts for spring/summer (although there is more winter stuff).

So - head on down. There are deals to be had!

Allergies? This early?

Maybe I'm crazy but I swear that there is some kind of allergen that has reared it's ugly head the last few days. It seems silly because it has been cold, off & on, but I have had an allergy headache for the last 3 days. I hate allergy/sinus headaches - the kind that makes your head hurt to breath through your nose. Last night I layed around with an ice pack on my head. This morning I had to take a benadryl allergy/sinus headache before I even left the house and I don't take those often because they make me sleepy!!

I'm glad that Zyrtec is going over-the-counter! I need to get some and start taking it. I hate allergies!!!

Anyone else having issues or am I just crazy (don't answer that if your answer is the latter! LOL!)

Ahhhh.... We have arrived...

Ever since having kids we have lacked in the sleep department, those of you with small children probably understand. I've looked on those that get to sleep in on Saturday morning and get a bit envious and wonder if we'll ever get there. Our kids aren't late sleepers and usually get up between 6:30-7:30 am on any given morning, including Saturday morning. Sometimes Eric & I switch off and one gets up while the other sleeps but that doesn't always work.

Well, this past Saturday the kids got up at their normal time and neither of us were ready to get up, so, we put a movie on in the game room and ALL THREE KIDS sat there and watched TV for a while so we could sleep. It was FANTASTIC. I know, we shouldn't let the TV be our babysitter but I'm sorry, I felt like being selfish this Saturday morning and sleeping so, well, the TV it was. It's not like we do it all the time!

I feel like we've "arrived". LOL! We can get a little extra sleep on a Saturday morning. WOOHOO!

"I want to stretch you."

Those of you that worked with me at The Voice of the Martyrs should know exactly who used to walk around telling people that he wanted to "stretch" us in our jobs. Often times I felt like a rubber band about to break because I had been stretched too thin, other times I felt challenged. I'm sure that we can all relate.

Right now I'm feeling like God is saying "I want to stretch you Andie", not because he wants me to break but because he wants to challenge me in ways that I didn't expect.

It's certainly proving to be the case. In the past few months I have found myself in situations that I would never have expected or imagined. So often I've sat here and though, "I can't handle this, why do you think I can handle this Lord?" And each time He has said, "You're right, YOU can't handle it, at least not alone." It's in these times that I feel so stretched and challenged that God is teaching me that I need to rely on Him completely. He's not going to lead me somewhere or have me do something and not equip me for the job.

The same is true for you.

Hodge Podge of stuff

I just can't seem to focus tonight. I have 3 loads of laundry to put away, a room that is a mess, an early morning to "look forward" to and I just can't focus. So, here you have what is rolling around in my brain.

#1: A big part of me is really worried about my friend. I tried calling the hospital tonight and she couldn't speak but her husband answered. He sounds awful and really couldn't say much for the grief/worry for his wife. I want my friend to get better! I want the Dr's. to figure out how to help her and I want to call and talk to my friend. I hate being this far away right now.

#2: Water... What does that have to do with anything you might ask??? Well, per the trainers at the YMCA, you are supposed to drink 1/2 your body weight in water each day. So - if I was 100 lbs, that would be 50 ounces of water each day. I got news for you - I'm not 100 lbs! I have to drink a whole lotta water. On a normal day I drink maybe two 8 oz glasses of any liquid. I just don't drink and I certainly don't care for water - give me "dirty water" any day as Suzanne calls ice tea. I know that my weight loss goals would be reached quicker if I would drink my water! Coming to an ocean near you...

#3: I don't get the argument over illegal immigration. I'm sure this will reveal just how ignorant I am on political issues but it seems pretty simple to me. It's called ILLEGAL immigration - why the controversy over whether we should give them rights in the U.S. Again - key word here is ILLEGAL. I get that we can't exactly kick 12 million people out of the country but really... Again - ILLEGAL.

#4: Cancer sucks. If there is one thing that I truly fear, it's this dreaded disease. It's an area of fear in my life that Satan has really used to the detriment in my walk with Jesus. Why, then, knowing how this affects me, do I read several blogs that are by moms with cancer?? Seriously - am I a glutton for punishment?

#5: Does Proactiv really work? You'd think I was going through puberty with the way my face looks. Ever since having kids... It's especially bad at "that time of the month" and I spend the rest of the month trying to clear it up. I've done the whole dermatologist thing and their prescription stuff didn't work. I just ordered the 30-day trial of Proactiv. Hey, it worked for Jessica Simpson.

#6: Wow, Britney Spears needs Jesus. So does her sister.

Now that you think I've lost my mind, I should end this list. I could go on and on. I told you I was feeling very unfocused and out-of-sorts tonight. I think it's a Tylenol PM night.

Please pray for my friend.

Presidential Politics

I'm not a big political talker but I have to tell you, we still have 10 months to go and I'm already tired of hearing it. Ughhh.....