Early Spring Cleaning

Last night, my boys got into my jewelry box and lost a little ring that was given to me by my Aunt Denise and Uncle Darrell when I was 4 years old. I totally lost it and was crying for about 30 minutes to an hour, as I couldn't find the ring anywhere. I knew it had to be in the closet but I just didn't know. Before I went to bed, I prayed about it, asking that God would help me find my ring.

This morning, I continued the search cleaning everything in the bottom of the closet, looking everywhere. A week ago, the kids had managed to lose the DVD Rush Hour 3 that we had rented from the library. I looked everywhere for that as well and couldn't find it. Today, the movie was due and I needed to return it. Needless the say, I was in a mad search for those two items.

The morning started out really well in that I was getting a lot of cleaning done. Danny went back to school this morning so once he was off, I was breaking a sweat with as much cleaning as I was doing. Don't get me wrong, our house isn't that bad but it's the mundane tasks that I have put off for a while. I cleaned everything in the bottom of the closet, folded and did laundry, washed dishes, dusted, vacuumed, steamed the floor, etc. A very productive day on my part.

*** CASUALTIES OF WAR (THE CLEANING WAR) ***

However, we did have one casualty. My pinkie toe on my left foot. I was vacuuming under the birds' cage and reached too far. When I did, the vacuum came crashing down on my toe. Being that I was barefoot and on tile, IT HURT SO BAD!!!! I didn't cry... not that the thought didn't cross my mind... but it knocked the breath out of me and I had to take a second to regain my composure. When I put on my shoes to get Danny from school, I could hardly walk. By the time I got back home, it was extremely swollen, purple and black. Reminds me of the time in Bethlehem that I tripped and did something similar to my big toe on my left foot. Am I clumsy or what?

*** GREAT NEWS ON THE BATTLEFIELD ***

I found the two items I was looking for! As well as a third! The Rush Hour 3 DVD was in the laundry basket with all the clothes and the ring was in the very back of the closet inside a CD cover. And the third thing I found was that CD cover that held the ring! It was my Karaoke CD that had been missing for a while now.

I am so happy that I had this very productive day and that I found everything I was looking for. I am putting my jewelry box up way high so the kids won't get to it and I am getting a bunch of clothes ready for a garage sale or Goodwill. Maybe God let this happen for a reason. :)

Two birthday parties in two weeks

Last weekend, we attended the 3rd birthday party for Eli. It was at Jungle Java, which I had never been to before but now recommend. It was a great place for the kids and they had a really good time. Also, it has a cafe section so you can order food, coffee or desserts. It was really nice and the staff seemed really friendly.

When we arrived, Austin had fell asleep in the car so Kamal told me to go ahead inside and take Danny and when Austin woke up, he would bring him in. That worked out well because when Austin did wake up and come in, he was in better humor. They had such a good time climbing and playing on the giant jungle playscape. Even the adults could go in and play.

Thanks Amy, Mike, Eli and Lincoln for inviting us to such a fun party!

We attended Blake's 3rd birthday party today and the kids had so much fun. I didn't have to worry about Danny much but Austin had to have a time-out and still wouldn't listen, so we had to have a talk in the bathroom. After that, he behaved rather well. I couldn't believe how much Austin ate. Before we went to the party, we had spaghetti at home. He ate two bowls of it and then at the party, he had a hot dog, chips, popcorn and a cupcake, along with some juice. He must be growing.

The kids played in Blake's room and had a great time. Then, they watched as Blake blew out the candles on his cupcake and after they were done eating, they got to open a string pinata. It was so fun to watch the little ones and great to see some of my friends that I don't get to see near enough (Gabriel, Melissa and Juliet).

Thanks to Juliet, Krinken, Monique and Blake for inviting us to a great party!

I am SO SORE!

So I have been on my work out regime and diet for three days now and I can't get over how sore I feel. I have more energy and don't feel as tired in the afternoons but I can't wait for this soreness to work itself out. I am in pain.

A friend of mine asked me if I'd be interested in doing a triathalon in June. I told her that I needed to get in shape anyway and this was the perfect incentive. She could count me in. However, I forgot that when your out of shape and trying to get back in shape, it hurts. Hopefully, I'll be ready by June.

Along with the exercising every day, I am also doing 75 pushups and 300 situps. I would also like to work in my leg and arm lifts. I know that I'm pushing it a little and I don't plan on doing these things every single day with out rest but I do have the intention of getting down to a decent weight where I can be happy and my BMI isn't off the charts. I know it can't be good for my heart and other organs and I don't want to have diabetes or any other health problems.

We are going on vacation in April to New Mexico, Las Vegas, NV and California. I want to be thin at that time so that when I see my family, I feel good.

New Year's Resolutions

Here are a few of the resolutions that I have made:

1. Lose Weight!!! That is always my number 1.
2. Put my family first before everything else.
3. Be sweet but not a sucker. Sometimes, it's hard to distinguish between the two.

This year has gotten off to a terrific start. So far, I have lost one and a half pounds, have been watching everything I eat and running every day. Granted, it's only day two but I'm doing better than last year.

With number two on my list, I am trying to be nicer to my family and make daily plans accordingly. If Kamal has a meeting, I'm not going to make it stressful by saying "Well, that's good but I need the car." Also, I'm going to try to be calmer with the children, more patient, more loving, a better me.

With number three, I was challenged today. I was working at the mall and a high school kid comes up and says "Do you have a phone I can use to make a call?" We both looked down to where my phone was sitting on the kiosk, and I looked back up at him and politely said "I would prefer not, thank you." With all the people in the mall, why did he have to ask me? Do I have a stamp on my forehead that says "SUCKER"? He didn't seem too hurt and kept walking on. I just was unsure if he would actually use my phone or take off with it as soon as I handed it to him.

Things are looking up in 2009 and hopefully, they will continue to go well.

Happy New Year!

So far, this year is going great! This morning, here are the things I've accomplished.

• I saw my mom and cousin off to New Mexico.
• I went for a speed walk with Danny and then a run/walk by myself afterward.
• I did work for a client and then took a nap with Austin.
• I stayed on my diet and did very well at the end of the day.
• I signed up again for the Discovery Health National Body Challenge 2009.
• I documented my food and activities on fitday.com.

So far, so good! I'm really looking forward to 2009!