Odds & Ends

So...we have a dog now.  We're all still trying to figure it out, but all in all, life with Trixie is good.  We're working on basic obedience right now (training her means we're really training us, of course).  The kids are still adjusting to having a furry sibling and you know, not being able to eat off the floor anymore.  :)  Don't get me started on the dog hair...




We're in our 3rd week of eating right and moving more.  Technically we're on day 17 of the 24 day challenge.  After day 10 we quit counting because we're not looking at it as 24 days of being healthy and then we'll go back to doing whatever feels good at the moment.  We've (I've) let things get way out of control, and it feels good to take that control back.  The other day I made a list of the positives about the 24 day challenge.  It's a long list--I feel better than I have in...years.  Honestly.  I have more energy.  I am more productive (well, not today...don't judge).  We're eating clean and healthy--which means our kids are, too...dinner, at least.  Breakfast and lunch haven't changed much for them other than that we've cut back on processed foods and sugar.  Yup, as crazy as it sounds, the Pharaons are no longer eating dessert twice a day PLUS an after-school snack.  Surprisingly, we haven't heard a single complaint from the knuckleheads...I'm shocked that they've accepted the changes so easily.  But, I don't give them enough credit--Kayci is very interested in being healthy, and Noble is a good sport.  I hope they'll grow up with good habits...because I'm lazy when it comes to food and exercise, plain and simple.

I fell off the blogging wagon, and the quiet time wagon...I guess I can't focus on too many things at one time.  I'm doing my best to keep up with my family and my jobs right now, but I look forward to more time for both blogging and quiet time this summer.  We'll see--summer starts tomorrow around here!

Flat Stanley--Kayci Style

6 Years Ago Tonight...

...Kayci put on her new Gymboree ice cream pajamas to celebrate our first night in "Ice Cream" (what she called Brenham until we moved here).

Six years later, this 2 year old is 8--almost 9.

Our family of three is a family of four.

We are still renting the little green house we rented "for one year"...six years ago.

And while our life looks nothing like it did six years ago, or even how we thought it would look, we are happier than we ever imagined.  More importantly for James and me, we're content.  Six years ago, we didn't even understand the difference.  :)

Fun Teacher Appreciation Cards

I have been DYING to share these with you guys, but I wanted to wait until the kids shared them at school.  I took these fun pics with Hipstamatic and DaddyBoy added the cool words--these are officially my new favorite cards!

Wanna smile?

You're welcome.

This week on my phone...

Sunday...we got a dog!


Monday: started the 24 day challenge. Here's my take: I am lazy when it comes to food & exercise. Obviously, I need the accountability of a "program" to get back to clean eating and moving enough. But I'm frustrated with myself because we don't NEED hundreds of dollars worth of supplements, etc. to eat clean...each day I think, why didn't I just DO this?! I'm excited about being back on track--it's been a few years since my grocery cart looked like this, and I've missed feeling good!


Tuesday: I don't remember Tuesday. I know I went to yoga and worked at home...hmm... Wednesday: was our anniversary! After a day at work, we celebrated with a picnic at one of our favorite places on earth. Kids, dog, and all!


Thursday: was the last general PTO program of the year, and we finalized officer selection. It's kind of a blur, so this pic Noble took of himself at WalMart (cookies and lemonade for 300, anyone?) seemed appropriate. :)


Friday: was the last PTO Board meeting of the year, and Kinder graduation, and Academic Day, and...just busy. I'm so grateful to have a knucklehead who can entertain himself.


Still Friday...by the time we got home and walked Trixie, the week had caught up with all of us. Picklesicles and a movie were just what they needed to unwind. (I almost forgot Kayci's piano lesson, we were so relaxed!!)


Today will be fun, too...more on that later! Happy Mother's Day, friends!!

Happy 14!

This picture of James and Sami at our wedding (14 years ago today!) just seemed appropriate since our anniversary gift is...a dog!  :)

So, we didn't wake up on a cloud and have mimosas and manna for breakfast...but I'm thinking it'll still be a good day.  Since we got married at one of the busiest times of the year, we have to keep our anniversaries in perspective--it's more of a day for counting our blessings than for partying.  Sigh.  One of these years, though, one of these years...I want a weekend AWAY for our anniversary.

I love you, Boy!