Miracles do happen!!

Although I never thought I’d have the opportunity for a real “lakelife”, I’m here to say that miracles do happen!  Signed a year lease on a “tiny home” minutes from the lake and all the conveniences of life that drives me!  

This is it.

My thoughts exactly. :(

It's been a "too much partying" kind of weekend

The end of the school year is always busy.   As everything starts finishing up,  the phrase,  "it gets worse before it gets better" comes to mind.   Lol!
Now,  don't get me wrong; I'm thankful for the crazy life that I live,  but there are some days/ weekends that prove to be challenging.  
Welcome to this Monday morning!

Last week,  N finished up soccer, and H had several track meets.   Friday night,  we farmed H out to a friend's house so that M and I could go to N's state Bible Drill competition.   H was supposed to go to a school choir trip at Worlds of Fun on Saturday,  but it ended up getting canceled due to rain.  
Saturday was also prom night for Z, (along with working both Saturday and Sunday mornings.)   A late Saturday night arrival proved to make it a REALLY early morning for Z, but he was dressed and out the door in plenty of time to get to work.  
H's friend ended up spending the night with us on Saturday and somehow talked her dad into continuing the weekend slumber party marathon on Sunday, (Found out later that day that they never asked the other girl's parents.   Oops).
N got state superior at Bible Drill (meaning he didn't miss a single question.. whoop whoop!!); and yesterday was the celebration bowling party.

So,  now let's talk about Monday morning..
H is "sick" (and officially grounded...Lol!!)   Z is dragging,  but still getting his groove on.... and N....well, he's asleep at the breakfast table.  
Should be a great week!!!   Party on rock stars!!

Let 'em see ya sweat!!

Today is day 5. 

Last Wednesday,  I headed to the gym because, quite frankly,  I felt like absolute crap.   I've gained back most of the weight that I lost several years ago and I finally admitted (to myself), that it is affecting my well-being.  Ouch!
I had 1 simple goal..... walk 2 miles.   No time limit,  no heart rate goal, no calories burned goal... just walk 2 miles.   Almost 45 minutes later,  I had completed my goal.   Oh,  and I wasn't allowed to shame myself for my time either.  
Thursday,  I headed back to the gym to do the same exact thing... Only this time,  I ended up walking a little bit further and a little bit faster.   I was pretty proud of myself!
Friday,  my youngest son had a  competition out of town,  which put us in a hotel for the night.   Even though all I really wanted to do was chill in the hot tub,  I headed for the gym instead.   It's not very often that I ever use a different machine than my gym,  so I was shocked when I set the speed at 4.0 and could barely keep up.   I knocked it down to 3.5 and still found myself huffing and puffing.   Needless to say,  it ended up being a brutal workout,  but it was probably good to push myself a little.
I got those 2 miles completed last night,  and even though I REALLY didn't want to go tonight,  I went anyways.   Tonight,  I told myself... it's just an episode of Forensic Files.  (Yeah,  I've got a fascination for shows about real crime.  My husband thinks I'm sick.   Lol!)
At the end of my 2 miles,  I even did some crunches tonight.  

Tomorrow is a big day that includes some pretty cool tasks that I can't talk about yet.   In time,  though....

Kidney for Sale...(ok, not really)

In February,  I had a little medical emergency and ended up getting a ride to Centerpoint.  If Z hadn't been there,  I probably wouldn't have even called 911,  but freaking out my kid even more than he already was really wasn't a good idea. Lol!
This morning,  I noticed a bill from Centerpoint that must have came in the mail yesterday.   Almost $2900!!!   But the kicker is that there is no explanation of services.   It's literally just a bill saying I owe $2900!!  WTHeck!!  Guess I'll be calling tomorrow for an itemized bill and go over it with a fine-toothed comb.
This year,  we downgraded our health insurance.   It's usually just been a $100-$200 ER copay, however,  ever since the lovely (NOT) Obamacare was passed, we've just watched our premiums go up.   So, we decided to choose a different policy.  No ER or office copay option on this one.   Instead,  we pay a good portion of the fee until we meet a deductible.    And of course,  it seems like  we've already went to the doctor more in 4 months than we did ALL LAST YEAR.   Figures.   :(
So,  I've decided that I'm going to take this "Emergency Room" thing very serious.   Unless I'm near the brink of death,  I think I'll just stay at home.   Lol!!

I'm up watching Snapchat videos from a successful prom night.

Z is home from prom.  I'm proud to say that WHITE BOYS CAN DANCE!!  😁  He's shared some videos of him owning the dance floor.  😄 (And now he's getting some sleep so that he can make it to work tomorrow morning by 8am. :)   😊

Love this❤❤

Z's attendance at school functions hasn't always been a priority.   Lol!  After a premature emotional response about his attendance at this year's homecoming,  I guess I've become a bit guarded about any event.  
I encouraged him to go to prom,  but he had planned to attend a concert in Columbia.  One day,  he came home and told me that he would be going with a sweet girl from his class (as friends).  OMG!  Sawheet!!  However,  then previous thoughts and emotions began to overwhelm me.   "What if she changes her mind?"   "What if she gets another date"?  I wasn't too worried about him because from past experience, he would just say,  "it's no big deal".  BUT IT IS A BIG DEAL TO ME!!      Sigh.   
The young lady in this picture is a gem!!  She is beautiful,  smart, honest,  and hooked my son up with a artsy place to go to rent a tux!!!  (Seriously,  I had offered to pay up to $200 for one,  and she recommended a place that he thought was cool!!!   Kudos and love to ES!!!
Tonight,  this picture was shared with me and I am posting it to my blog.    I'm beyond proud.  Today was a good day.  :^)

Day 4... "I don't wanna go!!"

So,  after a brutal 2 miles on a hotel treadmill,  I'm heading back to my gym.   However,  "I don't wanna go!!!"

ISO: Big Girl Panties

I need a new pair of "big girl panties".  The ones I've been wearing are worn out.  The bigger the better!!!

Sick kids and a van dilemma

Well, I have 2 sick kids today.  Heading to the doctor with little man because he's been fighting a fever for a couple days.  In other news, I'm debating on what to offer the dealership for a van that we're looking at.... don't want to be insulting, but I want the best deal possible...  hmmmm...

I won $1.58!!!

Yeah, you read it right... I won one dollar and 58 cents.  We had 12 people in the pool.  We each bought $20 worth of tickets and only won $19.  I think we are just going to buy more tickets though, so maybe I'll have better news soon.  On another note, Sweettart actually drank the bottle today.  The last couple days we had to stick a tube down her throat.  I think she finally decided that it was a whole easier to just drink it.  lol!! 

Powerball night!

Tonight, I put together a lottery pool.  I'm hoping to a millionaire soon!  :>}

Introducing.... Sweettart!

Looks like we'll be bottle feeding this little lady for the next month, (as long as she makes it ).  Hannah is more excited than Nathan, but I think he'll come around. 

Pretty much...

Welcome to my new form of facebook posting!

As you can tell if you visit my personal facebook page, I rarely post anything these days.  If you are interested in me and my life, this is the place to visit online. 

Buckle up and get ready for the ride. 

When the raw cow milk starts to get old.....

It's time to make ice cream!!!

My kids LOVE shucking corn!!

Life update.

Yes, I miss facebook. (Even though, technically, I have been on facebook)   I set up an alternative account just to monitor my groups.  I haven't been able to check up on my friends.  Yes, I have cheated by using my multiple alter egos, but it's still not the same.  So, tonight, I am on facebook.. (and linking my blog :>)

I have been building my endurance by attempting to increase my distance and time (running).  For those of you that do not know, I have signed up to run the Kansas City 1/2 Marathon on October 20, 2012.  I completed it in 2010 with a time of 3:16:13, so this year, my main goal is to beat that time.  And considering I didn't truly train that year, I think I can beat it.  (Yes, I can still remember being reprimanded by Mark for the lack of training... and yes.. I was worried about whether I would cross the finish line on my feet or on a stretcher!!!  lol!

I currently have 7 small watermelons in my garden!  After 2 complete FAILURES in the gardening department, I wasn't even going to try this year.  However, Mark and Zach worked hours getting my "spot" ready, so with little hope, I planted some plants and seeds.  I have been so encouraged to see stuff grow!  So much so, that I already have a plan for next year.  I want to plant MANY peas!  I love raw peas!  I have even been eating the pod!  I love cherry tomatoes.  They have a permanent spot on my counter.  They are the perfect snack food.  When I get the urge to shove something in my mouth, cherry tomatoes are the perfect snack.  I have even learned to eat raw green beans.  However, the best way to eat them is in a stir fry.  I love cucumbers and onions.  And I also love green peppers.  What I will not be planting next year is pumpkin and squash.  (well, unless I get a great big spot ready!!)  Those plants take up way too much space!!  I am really looking forward to my watermelon, even though they take up space.  Our family can eat an entire watermelon in 1 day!  And yes, we will be carving a pumpkin either this month or next.

Vacation Bible School went really well.  I was blessed with a great group of volunteers that helped pull it all together.  We had an average of 130 kids attend.  The best part of the entire week was watching the kids excitement over  reciting Bible verses and their final musical performance  for the parent program.  I'm typically not one to be overly emotional, but I was truly moved during the last song.  Special thanks to Kim Moore and Michelle Cicle for leading such a great performance.

And then of course, there's my 20 year reunion.  Mark and I will also be attending his 20 year reunion as well.  I can't say that it is the only reason for my summer makeover, but it sure is a motivating factor.  Who doesn't want to look good  for a reunion... right?  LOL!  Honestly though, as much as looking good is fun, feeling good is fabulous!!  And yes, I feel good.  I have struggled with high blood pressure for the last couple years, and am looking forward to day when I can say good-bye to the meds.  I can already tell a difference. Our bodies are not made to lug around extra pounds.

When I deactivated my facebook acccount, I had some people say that they would miss my encouraging updates.  I will try to at least update my blog every couple days.  So keep checking back.  I will admit that when I know that I have to be accountable to someone, it motivates me to get to the gym.

Miss you guys!  See you on facebook sometime in August.
Amy

I ran a mile in 10:52!!!

Yeah, it's not much to a lot of people, but it is to me!!!!  (and did I mention it was 100 degrees outside!)  So, yeah... I FINISHED A MILE IN 10:52!!  (and I was huffing and puffing way too hard... next time will be better!)

Sushi anyone??

I just made my first batch of homeade sushi.  It was pretty good.