Has It Really Been THIS long....

since I've blogged? It seems a little foreign to me even though the home page on my computer is my blog!

It feels like I have so much to update, yet I don't even know where to begin.
It's been so long that I can barely remember how to upload pictures!!!

Well, I guess I can give an update in a nutshell, and then just go from here!

The biggest change so far is that I've been exercising alot, and just feeling so much better!

After I had my fifth child, it seemed like my health was just put on the back burner. Not that I never had an opportunity to change, but I didn't have any real motivation.

Finally, something just "clicked" and I decided to take it seriously!

I started walking in September, and did my first 10k walk for diabetes in October (which I don't have, btw). I just wanted to challenge myself by doing this! My family were my #1 supporters!!

After doing this, I knew that I needed something "more." Walking was just not enough.

Finally, I checked out a fitness program called U-Jam!! The first day I tried the class I was hooked!! It's not your typical aerobic class. It's more like a hip hop dance class!! Seriously...so fun, and the cardio kicks your butt. You don't even think of it as exercise!!!

I have to admit that I HATED taking full body pictures of myself in the past. I guess you can call it denial! But, after comparing pictures of me before, and NOW..wow..I really let myself go. I'm eating better (although I don't deprive myself of anything), and I do U-Jam about 4-5 times a week!! It really has changed my life!!!

The before pictures were from about last May-August 2012!!

Tastebud Tuesday

Nothing better than having a nice, quiet lunch with a friend, right?

The Asian Chicken Salad from Panera Bread was perfect for this warm, sunny day!

Friday Photo Flashback

 I started "Friday Photo Flashback" because I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to link up so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!

Nov. 1999

Awe...my little babies!! Well, they were "babies" to me back then! Isaiah was 3, and Miranda was 2 years old!! They looked so innocent!! And they were really sweet!!! Wow..seems just like yesterday!

Babies R Us!

The Lord has really put on my heart to bless young couples at our church by babysitting their kids so they can have some alone time! I remember having all little ones, and always jumping at the chance when my mom, or sister in-law would offer to watch the kids. Now that our two oldest kids can babysit, my husband and I can pretty much go out on a date whenever we want. LOVE IT!!

I know how important it is to stay connected to your husband, and just have that time together (without interruptions)!  It's easy to get caught up with just the kids, and not take that time out for each other!!

So, just last week, we were blessed to watch a couple of cuties, and my kids were a big help, too!

Here is Evan giving my daughter kisses!! He's so adorable!

Here he is with his little brother!! My oldest son loved watching him!

And on another day, we watched this little hunker while his mom and dad had a spontaneous lunch date! He reminds me of the Michelin Man!

And, he loves the girls!!!

Tastebud Tuesday

My children get to choose what kind of cake they want for their birthdays. They prefer me to make it versus ordering it from a bakery.

It was my youngest sons birthday last week, and his request was red velvet cupcakes!

That's what he wanted, so that's what he got!

Everyone loved them, but I didn't partake!

I'm watching my carbs, so I just had to take their word for it!

At least I got to use my new Wilton decorating tips!

 

Friday Photo Flashback

I started "Friday Photo Flashback" because I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to link up so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!

1999

My oldest daughter! She was just a little over three years old here!

When I look at this picture, I see the band-aid on the knee, the little bruise underneath her right eye, and my favorite tweety bird shirt! 

 She was tiny, but boy..she was a firecracker!! She was fearless, and even to this day, she is still the same! When they say looks are deceiving, that totally applies to her!! So many people comment how she looks feminine, but she is so not the girly-girl!!

Tastebud Tuesday

The hubster and I had a date night last week (dinner & a movie). It ended up being a late date, so we decided to skip Spidey for another day. Ha..we're gettin' old!

Anyway, we ended up at Giorgio's, and well, just like other restaurants similar to this, the food was "okay." I can honestly say that it will probably be a long time before we dine there again (if that). We were seriously not impressed. The quality simply isn't like it used to be. I can understand with the economy and all, that many places have to cut down on certain things. I just can't imagine that they could stay in business that much longer. Same prices...lower standards? Umm..no.

Anyway, we were starving by 9pm (remember it was a late date), so we ordered a couple of appetizers before our entrees came out.

We had Sauteed Mushrooms which was okay. I tell you...we were so hungry that I don't think we even cared at first.

Our other appetizer was Caprese. Total disappointment. We expected more basil, and more flavor to it.

My husband ordered Eggplant Parmigiana, and he only finished half of it. He said he could picture it being a frozen dinner that was heated up in a microwave.

I ordered the Fresh Salmon Florentine. Seriously..I could have made this better at home.

So, it looks good...but the taste and quality is not there!

Friday Photo Flashback

I started "Friday Photo Flashback" because I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to link up so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!

2000

Oh..how I love this boy!!!!!

He was about six months old at the time, and I took the kids to one of those picture perfect places to get some photos done! I didn't expect them to do one like this, but I loved it, and it's one of my favorites!! It's funny because he still has that same, sweet smile!!!