Happy Birthday Dude!

Baker's nephew (and mine) is turning six today.  He was the first baby in our family and now he is six and in kindergarten!  Mr. M . . . we love you so much and are glad that you are a part of our family.  We love being your Aunt and Uncle and are glad that God chose you to be our nephew.  Happy Birthday Dude!

Free Friday

So . . . in December when I was Christmas shopping with my MIL, I found this awesome Duck t-shirt.  It looked cute, comfy and it wasn't white or dark green - yay!  And while I should have been Christmas shopping . . . (I actually was when I found it) I went ahead and got it.  And get this . . . it was FREE.  That's right.  The last two years, JCPenny's has send me a $10 off coupon before Christmas.  My shirt was $9.99 and I used my $10 off coupon, and whola!  The cashier rounded up my t-shirt to $10 and I walked out of the store paying nothing for a super cute tee.  How awesome is that for a freebie deal?!

Workin' it Out Wednesday

If you have been following my blog for any amount of time then you know how much I ♥ the show, The Biggest Loser.  Super big puffy heart kinda luv!  A new season just started on January 5th I believe, and you can bet your money I've been following this season as well. 
With that said . . . I'm a little disappointed with the season to this point.  I was trying to figure out why this season is different.  The word that kept coming to mind is indifference.  The majority of the contestants on this seasons show got to where they are because they just didn't care.  They've always been fat.  They just kept eating.  They don't know anything different.  At least this is the attitude and impression I have been left with while watching the show.  It has been extremely hard for me to chose a team that I'm drawn too.  A team I connect with.  A team I'm routing for.  Its harder to chose a team to connect with when many of them have very similiar stories. 
Then there was a stirring in my own heart.  "What makes you so different from them?"  Maybe you aren't overweight, but you overeat.  What about you, Jackie?  Your attitude of indifference is no different than their's. What about spending time with Me.  In My Word.  In prayer.  What about sitting on the couch and choosing to watch television and setting Me aside?  How's that for an attitude of indifference? 
Again I am humbled.  It's so easy to focus on one or two aspects or my life such as growing spiritually, exercising, eating healthy, keeping the house clean, working hard, be an attentive spouse, a loving parent, a supportive friend, a caring daughter . . . but to put it all into balance is a completely different story. It's EASY to become indifferent to the areas of my life that are out of balance.  The areas I neglect because sometimes it's all too much and easier to ignore.  So, my question to you is, being a month into the New Year, how are your resolutions coming along?  What is it you do to help keep your life balanced?  

A Small Confession of Sorts

I have a confession to make.  These yummy chocolate peppermint patties may be the reason I still frequent the gym.  If you put them in the freezer they are even more amazing!  And while talking to my brother last week I realized just how addicted I am to these little fellers.  I have consumed five bags of these since October 25th.  FIVE BAGS.  Not to mention a few full size Yorks.  You know the ones you can grab at the checkout counter while waiting in line at the grocery store.  Stupid buy three get three free sales.  If you're wondering why I have a specific date, that is my birthday.  Let me spell it out for you.  One bag for my birthday, one bag for Christmas, two bags at the beach (not a good place for me to be- although I ate half in October, the other half at New Years, bag 2 - half for our anniversary and the other half is waiting for me in the freezer still) and of course we cannot forget the most recent Valentine heart shaped Yorks!  And that my dear friends is why I must frequent the gym.

Christmas Fav

Picture from Uggaustralia.com

For Christmas I received a pair of these lovely slippers.  They are wonderful!  Coming from someone who goes barefoot while at home slippers can sometimes be sticky and too warm.  These are comfy and perfect for running to the garage, grabbing the paper or even driving to get coffee.  And seeing as how I have been blowing my nose and sneezing all day yesterday . . . I may be living in these today.  Thank you Mom B for the great Christmas gift!

A Night to Remember

Baker and I celebrated our 8th anniversary this week. 
I decided to share how incredible our evening was with you. 
(Aren't ya'll on the edge of your seats now)???

First, he brought home these beauties.  Flowers are a very rare treat in this household and I love, love, love it when they are a surprise.  Why I wasn't expecting flowers for my anniversary, I'm not sure, but anyhow.  Probably because he surprised me by making reservations for dinner.  This meant not just traveling down the street to a local place.  Reservations = forethought.
HUGE BONUS POINTS!  HUGE!

Then, he gave me a wonderful card.  Baker gets the BEST cards.  He can walk into any store, with a minute to spare and find the most absolute, wonderful card fit for the occasion.  Probably my reason for scoring him bonus points with reservations.  He actually planned ahead.  Moving on.  Oh yes, my card . . . had a picture of two bare feet on the front. 
The caption read:
I love the days when we never get around to shoes . . .
When all we get around to is us.
(Ahhhhh . . . sniff, sniff - (told you he picks the best cards))!!!

Then we had reservations on the waterfront at McCormick and Schmicks. 
They personalized our menu's just for us!

By the way, I had the chef's recommendation and boy was it tasty!  So much, that I inhaled my dinner and waited while Baker proceeded to eat the remaining three quarters of his plate.  No kidding.  I think I made olympic record time.  So, I decided to use the restroom.  At which point I ran into a family friend that goes way back.  Probably since I was born way back. 

HUGE Hugs. 

I can't believe it! 

How are you?

Why are you here?  We are celebrating our anniversary!

Which anniversary? Our 8th.

It's Mr. M's 50th birthday and so we are celebrating together. 

And so to conversation continued.  In the restroom. 

Until our men were wondering what on earth had happened to us.

So we parted ways with promises of whomever was leaving first to stop by the other's table to show pictures of my little girl (who's middle name happens to be the same as Mrs. M's).

We got dessert. 

We got the bill.

We paid the bill . . . or so we thought.

And then our server came to our table.

Those really, really nice people, she says as she looks over her shoulder, just paid for your dinner.

Baker and I just stared at each other in shock. 

Oh my goodness! 

Are you kidding me?

So of course there were more hugs.  Huge thank yous.  And lots of showing pictures of my babies.

It was an unbelievable evening.  One we will never forget.  An evening that was truely heaven sent!

To My Husband

You are passionate and insightful.

Loving and discerning.

Wise and purposeful.

Hardworking and genuine.

You are a strong leader.

You are a caring father and your children adore you.

You were made for me and I for you.

I love you and am so incredibly grateful for our 8 years of marriage.

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.  My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. 

Isaiah 32:17-18.

Fast Food Diet

I saw this commercial and no kidding. . . yelled at the tv.  ("NO! NO!  Are you KIDDING me?") I didn't know  whether it was for real or a joke and kept waiting for the punch line.  Well folks.  It's no joke.  If you're lookin' for a diet to jump start your weight loss, then perhaps you could consider this one.  I present to you . . . The Fast Food Diet.

Just A Wii Story

Luke and I are in the playroom.
I am playing the wii.

Me: Man, this level is hard! (I kept losing).
Luke: I played this one last week. (Very nonchalant).
Me: You did?
Luke: Yeah.

Put in my place by my three year old.

More Chocolate Stuff . . .

I saw this flip calendar at the Chocolate Factory "store" at the beach. I laughed out loud and had to take a picture.

Hope you all have a great Tuesday. I'll be workin' my chocolate off. AGAIN.