Wednesday Weigh-In

I know it's Thursday but just hang with me.  I was so disappointed with my weigh-in this week.  Like how does this even happen.  Why does it take 2 weeks of counting and sweating to lose 4 pounds and 4 days of bad eating and little exercise to gain 3 pounds.  I'm just disgusted.  I didn't really pay attention to what I was eating this weekend but I still managed to get to the gym 3 days.  I drank a lot I guess. I'm slowly getting back on track.  Last week was chaos and the scale shows it.  I've talked before about when my life is in chaos all efforts of eating right go out the window.
Current Weight: 176.8 +3.6lbs Total loss: 4.2lbs 41.8lbs to go
I'm not going to let it get me down any longer.  It's a new day and I'm ready to work.  Now if I can give up my daily trips to our new Panera.

Friday Festivities

We started the day with brunch to celebrate Hope and her bridesmaids.  We met at Another Broken Egg Cafe in Mountain Brook.  I'd never eaten there before but it was delish.  I studied the menu for a while and finally settled on biscuits and gravy.  It did not disappoint.  It was a fun morning getting to  hang out with these beautiful ladies.

Hope with her bridesmaids.

The moms.  

The Maxwell ladies.

After brunch we had an appointment to pick up our dresses from the seamstress. Well she wasn't quite finished with my moms so we had to kill some time.  We did a little shopping, I got Barrett a cute little bubble for summer and a pair of shorts.  We finally got the dresses and headed back home.  I went to the gym for my favorite class of the week with Kristen and Lorie then rushed home to get ready for the rehearsal and dinner.

This is where my picture taking slacked off big time.

The rehearsal went smoothly and before we knew it, it was time to head to dinner.  The rehearsal dinner and reception were held in the same space. 

I did manage to get a picture of my little family both nights but that's about it.  

Cousins, Friends.  These two are 5 weeks apart and have been buds their whole lives.

The rehearsal dinner was fantastic.  My parents planned a mardi gras themed meal and it was wonderful.  I put together a slideshow of Hope & John's life.  It was so much fun watching them grow up and seeing their relationship grow.  After the slide show several people shared some fun memories or words. All week I'd been thinking about what I would want to say.  When I finally decided I'd say a few words I couldn't remember anything I wanted to say.  I literally woke up at 5:00am Saturday morning thinking about all the things I wanted to say.

Since I write much better than I speak here it goes...what I should have said.

I think each of us would say that John is our favorite sibling.  He's kind, he's helpful, he'll make you laugh and he'll make you cry.  These are all characteristics he's had since he was a kid.  He would be the male lead in whatever the latest playhouse skit Elizabeth and I were putting on and in the same afternoon he'd be Patrick's assistant working on the go cart.  One of my mom's favorite Christmas gifts was the year John wrapped up an empty box with a sweet little poem about how he'd spent hours blowing kisses in the box.  Mom just cried and cried.  Then John said that he turned his box over and spilled all his kisses and had to start over blowing kisses in his box.  Mom was laughing through tears.  When he'd get kicked off the bus and Mom had to take us to school he didn't complain to much that he was usually late.  When I forgot to pick him up from school, he would call and just smile when he saw us turning in on two wheels to get him.  When I left for college he was a pudgy little 12 year old.  I left and he was little kid.  When I finally graduated and moved home he was practically a grown up.  He was in his last semester of high school and he had a girlfriend.   I didn't know much about her, I don't think he wanted us to scare her off. By the way, she apparently doesn't scare easily.  I'll be honest I didn't put a lot of effort into getting to know her.  After all John was about to move away to college and how many high school relationships work out.  As time went on it was becoming more and more obvious that Hope wasn't going anywhere.  She was always around but rarely said anything.  She probably couldn't get a word in with this family.  I watched John grow from a high school boy that had a girlfriend to a young man that was in a relationship with someone he really cared about.  I watched John become a better person and I fully credit Hope for that.  I think a spouse should make you the best version of yourself and I can see that in them.  So as you begin your life together, I want to share a piece of advice that someone shared with Patrick and I when we got engaged.  "Always put each other first.  As long as you love the other person more than anyone or anything in this world, you'll have a long happy marriage." I am truly honored to call you my brother and sister and the godparents to my son.  I am honored to be a part of your special day and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!

My baby brother is married.  I feel like I have so many words I want to say but I'm at a loss. I'm so happy for John and Hope.  It was a beautiful weekend filled with family, friends, love and laughter.  I loved getting to be a part of it.  I'll be back with more details, for now here's a picture of my sweet little family. I love these boys to the moon and back.

Wednesday Weigh-In

It's Wednesday again!  It's so nice to finally see some measurable progress.  I'm starting to notice little changes in my body and it feels good to know my hard work is paying off.  I'm enjoying my time at the gym.  It's been good for my mind, body and soul.  It doesn't hurt that my best friends also joined the gym so it's a little social time too.  I still struggle with food.  I suppose food will always be an enemy of mine.  When I feel stressed I still find myself wanting some comfort food.  I'm trying to keep healthy snacks on hand to curb those cravings.  I've got a big cheat weekend coming up with the wedding and all the festivities it includes.  I'm going to enjoy the wonderful food and drinks but I'm not going to over do it.  

On to the scale...

Current weight: 173.2lbs -2.6lbs from last week Total loss: 7.8lbs 38.2lbs to go!
I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing!

Weekend Review

We had a nice low key weekend.  Friday, I went to my favorite class at the gym, then to the dreaded Walmart.  I came home and we had pizza.  It was so much fun to just hanging out as a family.  We missed that when Patrick was on 2nd shift.  The weather Saturday was beautiful.  While Patrick was at work I cleaned out some of the toys Barrett had out grown and worked on some stuff for the wedding.  Before I knew it Patrick was home.  We took a family trip to Walmart to get all the things I'd forgotten on Friday.  Since it was such a pretty day we took Barrett to the park and let him swing.  It was so much fun. 

I think he enjoyed it. I love this little guy.  He is growing so fast.  When I look at these pictures I don't see one bit of baby.  Sometimes I can still see a little bit of baby, not here though. Daddy got in on the action too.  I should add that Daddy also dressed him. A little reading before church this morning.  He got the Spot book off his shelf all on his own so of course Daddy had to read it to him.  It was pretty sweet listening to them while I was getting ready! After church we came home and had lunch together.  I went to the gym and Patrick and Barrett went to Patrick's parents.  When I got home I threw some dinner in the oven and hurried to enjoy the afternoon on the deck.  I read a few chapters and just soaked in the pre-spring weather.   We are gearing up for the big wedding this weekend.  I am so excited!!!  Happy last week of February.

Wednesday (Thursday) Weigh-In

Soooo....my mind has been going a mile a minute lately and the fact that yesterday was Wednesday didn't occur to me until about noon.  So I weighed this morning and we're going to pretend today is Wednesday.  

Last week I didn't go to the gym at all Monday-Friday.  I got back in the groove Saturday and I've been everyday since then.  I've gotten better this week.  I've been logging my calories too.  (I did have one incident with some oatmeal raisin cookies.  It was bad.)

Current Weight: 175.8lbs -2.0 from last week Total Loss: 5.4lbs  40.8lbs to go
I'm proud of my progress this week.  I've still got a ways to go. Slowly but surely. Thanks for following along.

Baby got a new pair of shoes

We had a great weekend.  Saturday I went to the gym for the first time in a week and thought I was going to die.  It was rough but I lived to tell about it and went back on Sunday.  My goal is to go everyday until the wedding.  Patrick had to work Saturday so Barrett and I went with my mom to get our dresses altered for the wedding. Yay!  Then for the big excitement of the weekend we took Barrett to get fitted for his first pair of big boy shoes.  He needed a pair of dress shoes for the wedding and I wanted to make sure we got the right size so we went and had him fitted.  He was so cute. 





We were sad Daddy missed it but I was happy to have Nana with us.


After church Sunday we went to lunch at Nana and Granddaddy's house.  Barrett ate and ate and ate.  Here he's eating a banana and laughing.  He was pretty entertaining!


This girl is so bad.  She's been getting out of our fence each time we think we have it fixed she still gets out.  Then she won't come to you, even if you have food.  This was a last resort but it worked like a charm.  I got a blanket and spread it out in the front yard and she came and sat right beside me.  Then I felt bad because she doesn't get enough attention.  We've got to figure a way to keep her in the fence that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
The weather this weekend was beautiful.  We've got one more weekend until the wedding and we can hardly wait.  Patrick started back on day shift today and we're a happy family! Hope y'all have a great week!

Love Day

We are soaking up this special day of Love!  Of course I love my boys every day but it's fun to celebrate in little ways!  I made Barrett this cute onesie at work.  He didn't want to sit still for a picture.


We don't make a big deal our of Valentines Day.  I usually make Patrick a card and get him a little treat of some sort. (usually a box of oatmeal cream pies). 


For the last few years we've gotten take out from the local Chinese place and called it a night.  We'll be doing the same tonight.  Patrick has to work so I'll probably just watch him eat when he gets home.


He got me a new corkscrew since I broke two the last time I tried to open a bottle of wine.  It's guaranteed for 20,000 corks.  Part of me wants to keep count just to see!

Hope you all have a day filled with things you love!  I hope everyone has at least one Valentine, even if it's your dog ;) 

Snow Much Fun...again

After the busted forecast in Birmingham two weeks ago, the meteorologists have been eager to redeem themselves.  They've been forecasting this "major winter weather event" for several days now and there wasn't a loaf of bread or gallon of milk to be found from Shelby county north.  The first round was supposed to hit Monday night but we only got some cold rain.  Places just north of us got a few inches.  They kept mentioning there'd be another round Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.  So to ensure that no children would be sleeping at school classes were cancelled Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  They were taking no chances.  Barrett and I braved the cold rain Tuesday and Wednesday morning to get some work done.  Patrick called around noon on Wednesday to say he was off work that night so we headed home around 1:00.  We were so excited to get to spend the night with Patrick.  We quickly got settled in to wait and watch for this winter weather we were promised.  We waited and waited.  We heard and read reports of snow all around us but didn't see a single flake.  I was convinced we were going to get rain, rain and more rain and I was starting to get sad.  I was convinced there was an invisible dome over us that was preventing the snow to fall.  While we were eating dinner the change over started and by the time we put Barrett in the bath this is what our front yard looked like!

Patrick and I were both giddy!  It was falling hard and fast.  Lots and lots of it.  Within about 4 hours our neighbor measured around 5".   We bundled Barrett up and headed out for a bit.  He wasn't a fan of it falling in his face. The butterfly bush covered in heavy, wet snow! Sweet snow baby. We put Barrett to bed and headed out to enjoy the night.  We had a snowball fight and rode the four-wheeler around the neighborhood. It's so beautiful! Our house! My snow angel! Big red covered in snow! We came in and baked cookies. We woke up this morning to no power.  It wasn't out long and I knew the streets were going to improve quickly today but I still had a bit of panic when I woke up and it was so quiet.  I quickly realized I wasn't cold so the heat had not been off long.  Barrett was still asleep so I knew he was still comfortable. I'm such a dork.  I just think there is something so magical about snow.  Especially in the south.  It's so rare we get this much snow and for it to have happened twice in the last 3 weeks is so fun.  The fact that it all happened the month Patrick was on 2nd shift was a blessing too.  he was able to be home with us several nights he would have been at work.  It was a nice little break and broke the month up for us.  The older Barrett gets the harder it is for both us.  For me it's physically harder being the only one home at night to handle all the night time chores and on him its more emotionally tuff being away.  Ally was enjoying the view this morning.  I just love it!
Before we left for work this morning. It's all mostly gone now.  Slowly melted away.  It was 55 degrees this afternoon.  I rode home with my sunroof open.  It was a fun night for sure.  I'm kind of ready for spring but I'm trying to just soak up this season of life.  I don't want to wish anymore time away.

Wednesday Weigh-In

It's Wednesday again. (Can you feel my lack of enthusiasm?)  I fell off the wagon this week and I fell hard.  French Fries, pound cake, ice cream, margaritas, nachos and cookie cake to name a few.  I've been to the gym exactly zero times since Saturday.  I haven't logged into myfitnesspal since Saturday either, if that tells you anything.  I did get into my dress for the wedding this weekend and I don't look as bad as I thought I was going to look.  So that's a win. I'm so over this weather and Patrick being on this shift.  Patrick will go back to day shift next week and the weather is supposed to be nice.      (I don't know why the picture quality is so terrible.) Current weight:177.8 -0.2 from last week (I can't believe that's all I lost again, but every little bit counts.)
Total loss: 3.4lbs (I've actually lost 8.2lbs but my WW total is only 3.4lbs) 42.8lbs to go At this rate I should hit my goal sometime in 2020
So there's week 5.  Not pretty but it'll have to do.  How did everyone else do this week?

Weekend Review

We had a busy, fun weekend! (I took very few pictures)

This was actually one day last week.  Barrett had a terrible blow out and I had not changed the clothes in his bag in a long time.  The onesie was size 6m and the pants were 3-6m. We got a good laugh out of it.

I thought he looked so cute asleep with his leg propped up.

Then he fell asleep on the way home today too.  One sock and all. Friday night when we finally got home from the gym and running errands, we had a little impromptu girls night in at our house.  Kristen was bringing me some clothes and then Brittany and her little sister came by just to hang out.  Barrett was our entertainment.  He loved having an audience while in the bath.  We had so much fun sitting around laughing!  They also helped me get into my dress for the wedding! Saturday morning I got up with Barrett and we played for a while.  I went to the gym then to Patrick's cousin's house to have lunch with his aunts and cousins.  They had not seen Barrett in a while so they were so excited to see him.  He was pretty cute! Saturday night we had Hope's bachelorette/lingerie shower at Superior Grill.  It was fun to get together with the girls.  She got some cute things. The wedding is 3 weeks away and I can't wait.

I made them these matching shirts to wear on their honeymoon in Disney World.  They turned out so cute!  

Sisters, Sisters there were never such devoted sisters! So happy to welcome Hope to the fam!

The group.  We had such a fun night but man was I tired today.  Which is really sad because I really didn't stay out that late!

Today we went to church and to lunch at my parents house.  Patrick is really close to finished up a project in our den downstairs to convert part of the room to a little play room for Barrett's toys.

Such a great weekend.  We're supposed to get more winter weather this week.  Which does not bode well for my weight-loss.

Wednesday Weigh-In

Well some how I haven't blogged in a week.  Anyway, here's this weeks weigh-in.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed in my lack of progress this week.  I fell off the wagon a bit this week so I'm not really surprised.  While we were snowed in last week I ate way to much and exercised none.  I went to the gym Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and was feeling good.  Then we decided to have our own little Super Bowl party complete with yummy food. I over indulged and skipped the gym Monday and Tuesday, so the scale barely budged.

Current Weight: 178.0

-0.2 from last week (I'm totally counting it)
Total loss: 3.2lbs

43.0lbs to go!

When I see that number I think this is impossible.  I know I can do this.  I want to be healthy but I also love French fries.  I miss them the most.  Progress is progress though so I'm not going to beat myself up.  I'm going to do better this week.  I have to. 

Thanks for reading!

Wednesday WeighIn

It's a snowy Wednesday in our neck of the woods.  It's going to be short and sweet this week!  I'm enjoying this unexpected day off with my boys.  I've been to the gym once in the last 5 days. I feel like such a slacker.  We had a birthday dinner Saturday night that I totally splurged.  I ordered a salad but indulged on chips and dip and cake (maybe some ice cream).  Then after my not as bad as most but still bad enough for me commute yesterday I indulged in a glass of wine or two.  

On to today's weigh-in

(I now realize the date is wrong on my picture.) Current weight 178.2lbs -1.8lbs from last week Starting weight 181.2lbs -3lbs total 43.2lbs to go That's still a big number.  But every little bit counts.  It's taken me nearly two years to get here, it's going to take some time lose.  I can do it, I can do it.  

Snow Day

We got an unexpected snow day today! Yay!  Well "Yay" now that we're home!  The winter weather was supposed to be further south.  We got up and went to work like usual.  Around 10:00 it started snowing heavily.  It was sticking to everything and pretty soon the roads were white.  I was trying to finish a little project but the boss insisted that all two wheel drive vehicles needed to head home.  My 10-15 minute commute took me 1 and a half hours.  Thankfully Barrett slept nearly the entire time. I thought that was bad until I got home and realized that people are stranded all over Birmingham.  I was so nervous driving on the slick roads but so thankful to be home with my boys.  When we got home we bundled up and went out to play for a bit.

The driveway at work before we left.
The highway on the way home. The road to our house.
My baby and me.
We put him in his cozy coupe car and he loved it.  Patrick pushed him up and down the road and he laughed and squealed.  So sweet!

Daddy missed the snow day last year so we were so happy work was canceled for tonight.

Watching Daddy and Ally in the front yard!

Love these boys!

Another one of me and Barrett.

For fun...here we are last year.

My boy has grown!

We are so thankful that it wasn't any worse for us.  My heart goes out to everyone stranded out there.  There are mamas and daddies that can't get to their babies at school or daycare and I can't imagine that feeling.  This is definitely one snow day we won't soon forget.

And finally sweet Ally loves the snow.