Funny Face

Me, "Pete, come here and take a picture with mommy."
Pete gets on my lap and faces the camera.
Pete, "Mommy, make funny face."

Me

Let's see. About me. I still am not losing any weight. I work out, I eat less, and I still weigh more. I honestly thought I was pregnant because my tummy was getting so large. It's just terrible. What is going on? What can I blame it on? The fact that I am not nursing anymore? Maybe this was the year my metabolism decided to slow down on me. Maybe Culligan puts calories in their water. Maybe I absorb sugar from Jamie. Whatever it is I am quite frustrated with it. So, after Labor Day it is time to get serious. Gym=3+ times a week. Meals=smaller, less carbs. Dessert=less. No way am I cutting out dessert. My motto, I would rather live a few years less and eat what I like than be skinny and miserable.

Another quote to P. last night. "Maybe I should just get pregnant. I'll lose weight for sure then."
Ha, not funny.

Let's see, what else? I have been cooking more lately. Made my first fresh peach pie yesterday. Yum. It's taking all my might not to eat some right now but there are only two pieces left and I want to share that with my husband after dinner tonight. The more I cook, the more confidence I get.

I have really enjoyed this summer here in MI. It was warm. No, it was hot. And I loved it, most of the time. The mosquitoes weren't as bad as other summers. We saw a lot of family and did lot's of family things. It was just a lot of fun, the weather was nice and the kids are at such a fun age to enjoy all the joys of summer.

I start my bible study again in a couple weeks. Can't wait to see all the ladies, study the bible again with a group, and have some "me" time. And, I am finally joining MOPS. I have thought about joining since I was pregnant with Pete. Can't wait to meet some more wonderful moms and make some new friends. Should be a busy fall/winter. Bible study, MOPS, gym, stay at home mom who thinks she can cook now.....

Monday night I stood in the front window watching P. and the kids play in the neighbors sandbox. (They let us use it.) I felt so proud. Proud of my husband and proud of my beautiful children. P. takes the kids outside to play after dinner most nights so I can clean up and have some time to myself. I usually fill the dishwasher, put some stuff away and sit down on the couch, and watch Entertainment Tonight with my laptop on my lap. I cherish that time and it's amazing how refreshed I feel after just a half hour or hour to myself.

I decided I wanted to start reading. I am reading Bottom Line, a Christian book about a stay at home mom. So far it is right on. :) I even put a book on hold at the library that was a recommendation on a blog that I read. I still prefer to watch TV though and last night I watched the Fashion Police on E! instead of reading my new book. Oh well, one day at a time.

Next thing on the list. 3rd baby. To be or not to be? That is the question! The desire is there but will all the logistics fall into place? Remember, one requirement for another baby was I had to lose weight....... Stupid logistics.

Someone took this parking spot I was going for at Meijer the other day and I said, "Crap!" under my breath. Next thing I hear, "Crap!" from Pete's mouth. I laughed and said, "Sorry buddy, I meant shoot." Pete says, "Crap! What does crap mean mommy?"

Whoops.

Katie

Katie left to go home on Friday. She was with us for almost 2 months and as always it was hard to see her go. This year was harder because Pete was older and understood she was leaving us.

The summer started out busy and exciting. Katie was excited to be here and the kids were thrilled to have her. She was very entertaining to two small children, I had someone to talk to, and I had someone to help me if I needed it. The biggest help for me was I had an extra pair of hands to carry things whether it be stuff or a child. And if I needed to run inside to do something or put the dishes away I would just ask Katie to watch the kids for a second while I got it done.

Let's just say having a 13 year old in the house this summer was challenging. The dynamics of taking care of a 13 year old, a 2 year old and a 1 year old were completely different. They have completely different needs and wants. Teenagers these days are so distracted by electronics. They consume their lives. Katie would go for hours without eating, drinking, or peeing. She was constantly on her phone texting, on the computer playing games, on her iPod Touch playing more games or watching movies/tv, on her iPod listening to music, on her Nintendo DS playing games, or watching TV. It was a constant battle trying to get her to do something other than these things. And if I did get her off she pouted and moped around until she was allowed back on. Kids rely on these things for constant entertainment and their happiness really. Playing outside, being with the family, playing cards or a board game, etc just doesn't cut it for kids these days. And it's something I am going to have to get used to. How will it be when my kids are older? Much worse I am sure. So I guess this is good practice for me.

Anyway, overall our time with Katie was wonderful. She is really a sweet girl and for a 13 year old isn't that bad. She loves the kids and the kids just loved her. We did a lot of fun things together and made a lot of fun memories. Pete misses her. Last night at dinner he reached for her hand to pray and she wasn't there and he said, "Big Sissy." We all knew what just happened. So we prayed for her instead. Jamie looks for her when she wakes up in the chair she was always in. And again I deal with trying to someday explain to the kids that Katie is their sister but has a different mommy that she lives with. They are blessed to have her though and we were blessed to get the summer with her. I am just nervous about next summer when she is 14, then 15 and 16. Yikes.

Here is Katie saying goodbye to Jamie as she left for the airport on Friday.

The Moon

Pete loves the moon. He looks for it every night. He finds them in every book. If he sees one in the sky he makes sure everyone knows it's there, and looks at it. And keeps looking at it. It's weird because P. and I don't have any particular love of the sky or astronomy. In fact, we both think space exploration is kind of silly. If you ask Pete what he wants to be when he grows up he says fireman, or astronaut. And he wants to drive a bulldozer, golf cart and truck like daddy. He says, "someday." :)

This week there was an incredible moon in the sky. It was full, yellowish orange and huge. We all enjoyed watching it rise and staring at it in the sky above us.

Here is Pete, and his moon.