We celebrated Porter's birthday today.  It was a nice distraction.

Day 119

Blessed.

I've been avoiding this post all day.  I want to record this day in my journal but part of me knows there's no need.  Wednesday, April 27, 2011 is a day I'll never forget like so many Alabamians. 

This is what we watched live Wednesday afternoon.  There are no words to describe the feelings.  We watched people's lives be ripped right out from under them.  It was surreal, like watching a movie.  Except we knew people in the path.  My sister and cousin live about 4 blocks from where the storm hit.  Thankfully my cousin had gone to a friends basement and my sister had fled to Birmingham but we hadn't been able to get in touch with her until the storm hit.  We didn't know that she wasn't in Tuscaloosa.  I will never forget the sound of my mom's voice when she called me to tell me that my sister was safe.  (I know this all sounds really dramatic but I don't know how else to describe it.  It was dramatic.)  Our house was untouched.  Luckily it didn't take long to get in touch with everyone.  Then the storm was headed for us in Birmingham.  It hit about 5 miles south in Fultondale.  We are so lucky, blessed.  There were so many other areas and families affected.  These are the areas close to me and my heart.  As of tonight the death toll stands at 238 in the great state of Alabama, 45 in Tuscaloosa, 8 of those confirmed students. 

I am so thankful for everyone who has blogged, facebooked, texted, tweeted and prayed for the tornado victims across the south especially Alabama. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and keep it comin' these people are going to need us not just now but for weeks and months. 

Prayers

Day 118

Good Morning

Nothing like waking up to the Tornado Siren.  Luckily it hasn't been to bad here but this is not the worst of it.  Everyone stay safe today.  I called my sister at 5:15 this morning to wake her up because it was right over Tuscaloosa.  I'm not sure she appreciated it.

 Day 116

Patrick and Ally look really worried don't they.

Easter

We had a very blessed Easter holiday.  We started the day going to Mass as a family.  Patrick couldn't go, he had to work.  I was excited to see what the Easter bunny had left for me at my parents house.  We took some pictures of the kids.  After church I headed home to change clothes and get Patrick and we headed to my Grandmother's house for lunch and egg hunting.

*Warning Picture Overload*

The sweet girls all dressed for church 

Porter did not want his picture made.

Harper pretending to sleep. 

Snaggle tooth Ava Jane. 

Patrick with his babies (minus Drew).

My brother's super sweet family. 

The siblings.

The loot the bunny left at my parents.

Ava on a mission to hunt the eggs. 

Harper styling in her new sun glasses. 

Isn't she the cutest thing. 

Harper talked Uncle Shawn into helping her find eggs. 

Then Dad had to help her too.

the big kids hunt.  John is just mean.

Daddy blowing bubbles with the babies. 

She loves bubbles. 

I got the Golden egg. 

The start of the final round.  I did not find one single egg. Not One.  I was very disappointed.  Harper was the cutest thing hunting eggs.  She had my dad or uncle carry her basket and every time she found one she looked over to where everyone was sitting and said "I found one!"

It was a great day in my book.  After we left my Grandmother's we went to the Horton's house.  Melissa had a great spread as usual and we all ate till we were sick. 

Happy Birthday Porter!

Porter is 4 years old today.  I remember vividly arriving at the hospital right after he was born.  He is such a sweet, caring, thoughtful child.  We love him to pieces.

Day 116

It's Electric

Ally's bed gave her a bit of static this morning.

Day 115

Happy Easter!

From John, Patrick, Me and Elizabeth.

 Just some sibling love before Easter Sunday Mass this morning.

Day 114

Anxiety

I have a confession...

grocery shopping gives my anxiety.

I had to go today and I put it off all day long knowing that the stores were only getting busier. 

Day 113

New Wheels

Little Bro got a new ride today to hopefully cut down on fuel costs.

It's so cute.  It's a 5 speed so we're having a driving lesson this weekend!

I'm pretty excited!

Day 112

One lump or two

I actually take about 4 lumps of sugar in my coffee!

I felt like a grown-up having coffee with Brittany tonight.

Day 111

Wednesday Weigh-In

First of all, I just want to say Thank You so much for all your encouragement last week.  I needed it!  Everyone is doing so good I can't wait so see everyone's progress this week.

Day 110

Down 2lbs from last week.  It's an improvement and I'm not complaining!  (I'm still up 2lbs from week one but progress is progress and I'll take what I can get!)  I've really tried hard to drink more water and less soda.  I indulged this weekend but have tried to get back on track and so far so good I guess.  I did a lot of walking on Saturday and I think that helped!  The weather was beautiful so it was nice to be outside. 

My ideal plan for life would include 2-3 days a week 60 minutes of intense calorie burn whether it be bootcamp, a group fitness class or just running.  Then on the weekend take part in some sort of physical activity outdoors like walking, swimming, playing football or hiking (for the record I've never in my life been hiking but maybe I will someday!)  Eating would include a well balanced diet during the week with a little room to splurge on the weekend.  I want to learn to cook and eat more healthy before we have kids.  Simply because I want them to grow up in a home where food is used to nourish our bodies not comfort our emotions.  (Sounds weird I know) 

I'm still working on this plan and will probably be working on it my entire life.  I've got the weekday exercise covered.  I do need to add one more day and it's been torture to try to do that. 



Precious Porter

When we got in the car to go to church Sunday Porter said, "We forgot Parper!"  Harper can't be quiet at church so she doesn't get to go with us.  He was so concerned, it was really sweet.

Day 109

A-Day

Saturday bright and early, I met up with some tailgaters and we headed to Tuscaloosa.  It was going to be a beautiful day and I was excited.

Coach Saban's statue at the Walk of Champions.  I'm just going to give my honest opinion here.  The statue is atrocious. His head is to big or something and it looks weird. 

My little brother and sister.

We then headed to Denny Chimes to see the 2010 Co-Captains hand prints.

After that we finally made it to the stadium. I love Bryant-Denny Stadium. Something about that place makes me smile every single time I walk in there.

After the game we headed back to the house and has hot dogs.

All in all it was a great day!

Relax

After being on the go all weekend long, I'm putting my feet up for the rest of the night and catching up on some DVRd shows.

Day 108

Sunday Funday

We watched the race with some friends today.

Ally was happy to see us when we got home.

Day 107

No words

Day 106

Where's Ally

This is what the sign room looked like today.

Can you find Ally Bama?

There she is!  She has stayed hidden all week!  This has been her spot!

Day 105

We've finally finished all the signs for the Magnolia Festival this weekend. Now I'm getting ready for Margarita Friday! Yes, I'm braving this weather to have some Margaritas! (Margaritas are probably not something I need to indulge in while trying to lose weight but my sanity would disagree!)

She's gonna need dentures

Ava Jane lost another tooth this weekend.  I can't believe this girl is 7 years old.

Day 104

Thank you all so much for your encouraging comments on my Wednesday Weigh-In.  I really needed it. 

Wednseday Weigh-In

Well it's Thursday and I'm just now getting around to posting my Wednesday Weigh-In.  Let me start by saying I have the best hours at work 8-3.  That being said, weeks that I do have to work till 5 (like this one) I feel like I mine-as-well just sleep there because I'm there so much.  I guess if I had to do it everyday I would be used to it.  It also makes it tough that Patrick goes to work at 7 so I usually try to have dinner "on the table" (we never eat at the table) by 5.  When you work till 5 it's hard to have dinner ready by 5.  So this week has been crazy simply because my schedule is all out of whack.  When my schedule is crazy I tend to eat crazy. 
I guess that's all the excuses I can make this week.  I think my main problem is I haven't been exercising enough.  I'm pretty sure my body is used to burning the calories that I burn at bootcamp so I either A) Need to readjust my diet and take in less calories or B) Add another day or two of exercise.  I probably need to do both but I really don't feel like I eat that much.  I've done better about drinking soft drinks.  I've only had 3-4 this week when I was having at least 7.

Yes, that means I'm up 4lbs from last week.  How can one person gain 4lbs in one week, I'm not sure.  I don't feel like I did anything differently.  I'm only 5'2" so I can usually see 4lbs but I really don't feel like I can see these.  I guess that means I've got to get serious this week.

Any tips, suggestions are appreciated.

 

Breakfast of Champions

I'll have Wednesday Weigh-In up later.

I haven't weighed all week.

Judging by the breakfast below it isn't going to be pretty!

Day 103

When the wife's away...

The husband will do no dishes.

Day 102

I've been really busy this week.  I'll hopefully be back soon with some actual posts.  Tonight Patrick grilled hamburgers, I had to work late, then had bootcamp and then watched the DWTS results with my parents. ( I was there getting Ally and always get sucked into whatever they're watching.)  I didn't want to eat a hamburger so late so I left Patrick a note to heat me one up in the morning when he gets home.  He's going to think I've lost my mind.  Maybe I have!

I also have some fun pictures of the nieces and nephew at the park Sunday!

Bunny Door

I put out our few Easter decorations this weekend.  I love this bunny on our front door. 

Day 101

I'm headed to the basement the tornado siren is going off.  I'm not a fan of bad weather.