And The Freebie Goes To...

Drum Role Please...

Rhonda at Down Memory Lane!!!

Rhonda you are such a sweetie and I am so glad that you were able to win! I hope you enjoy and use this stuff to pamper yourself! Just email me your address when you get a chance!

And thank you to everyone that joined the fun!

Be sure to come back Monday for Friend Makin' Monday!

Friday Freebies with Me and Heidi...

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!!! Aren't you so super excited it's Friday! and what is the one thing that could make Fridays even better I ask you?!

FREE STUFF!!!

And you can get here!

Heidi at Sacred and Profane is this great friend that usaully leaves me speechless and/or rolling on the ground laughing! She is the founder of Friday Freebie...



... and she has asked yours truly to host today! I said sure if it doesn't have to be anything homemade and she assured me I was safe! So if you were hoping for something crafty and cute like most weeks...you came to the wrong place!

But if you love to take care of yourself and would love some pampering items...then behold:

Mary Kay compact w/ 3 mk eye shadows and 1 mk blush

MK beauty blotters (great to keep in your purse and then when you feel like you are getting a little oily you blot and your good to go!), 2 small tubes of mk extra emollient night cream, and Victoria Secret Lotion and Body spray!

How do you win you ask?

1 entry if you: Leave me a comment
2 entries if you: Post about it and give me and Heidi a shout out!
3 entries if you: Become a follower or let me know that you already are!
4 entries if you: Comment on a fellow commenter's blog (let me know you did!)

I will enter the entries into Random.org and let everyone know the winner this week! Thanks for playing and can't wait to see who wins!

Gggrrrrrrrr...

How in the Heck Does it get done? and Muffins:

A lot of you asked me yesterday how I find the time to do the exercise and make the snacks that I make. I wake up around 6:00 a.m. and do my bible study for about 30 minutes. So about 6:40 I start my workout. We have DVR so I am able to fast forward through commercials so I actually workout for about 1 hr and 10 minutes I would say. Ruthie doesn't usually wake up until 8 a.m. or 8:30 so she is asleep while I'm working out, and Kane usually wakes up about 7:30. So usually with him I pause my show and grab him a muffin and some milk and let him watch a cartoon while I finish up. I don't just love that he is watching tv but I figure one show won't kill him. (if I don't get it in during the morning I do it during nap time)

As far as finding the time to make snacks and stuff. I either have the kids help me (Kane anyway and Ruthie someday) or I do it while they nap. Kane doesn't always go to sleep during nap time, but I do make him lay down for at least 1 hour. He needs the rest and I need the time to do things that need to get done.

As far as my running club. It's only 3 days a week. We run Tues. and Thurs. at 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdays at 6:30 a.m. The training program we are doing only takes 30 minutes so it doesn't take up too much time away from my family. Actually my kids are in bed before I leave for it. (the hubby is home with them) and a few times I have had to take the kids and I just push them in a jogging stroller. If you don't have one- they are a life saver! and the kids enjoy the ride! I always bring them a snack and a drink!

There you have it! For me it was just a matter of making myself get up and out of bed earlier so that I had more time during the day. It was tough for a while but now I just hop up out of bed.

Here is the muffin recipe I make for my kids (I usually double the recipe and then I freeze some of them until we need them- they freeze really good):

Flax Attack Muffins

2 egg whites
2 T. apple sauce
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. pineapple juice
1 1/2 c. rolled oats
1 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 cup flax seed, ground (I grind my flax seed in a coffee grinder)
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 apple, cored and shredded
1/2 c. crushed pineapple
1/4 c. raisins
1/2 c. carrots shredded

Combine egg whites, applesauce, vanilla, and pineapple juice. Set aside. Measure out the remaining ingredients into another bowl. Gently mix the contents of both bowls until the dry ingredients are just moistened. Do not stir too much or tunnels will develop when the muffins are baked. Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Enjoy!

EM: ME and My son's room...

Amber's question for us this week:

There isn't one. :) Just update us on your progress. How you're doing. What you're doing. How you're feeling about what you're doing.

Well: I feel great! I honestly have not felt this fit and healthy since before I got married! I mean I've been an exerciser on and off the entire time I've been married (mostly on, but not always) and even when I was pregnant both times, but I have never really worried too much about my eating habits. This is also the first time since college that I have not only done cardio work but I'm lifting weights too! I'm also doing yoga, which I always thought was kind of dorky, but now I love and will never do without again!

This is what I'm doing:

6-7 days a week I'm doing: 1 hour Cardio Blast show on Fit TV- includes weights, step aerobics, kickboxing, curcuit training (I love how it's always something different and this is great for my body because it never gets into a rut and keeps my muscles guessing!)

6-7 days a week I'm doing: 30 minutes yoga on Fit TV- I love this because I am so much more flexible and it really helps with not being as sore after weight training. It also help with my core strength which helps with everything from balance to better posture.

3 days a week I doing: A running club! Some women at my church have joined up with me and we have started a running group! I am so excited and am Loving it! We are doing this training program called From the Couch to a 5K. I did it last year after I had the baby and it is great! You so don't have to be a runner to be able to do this program. If your interested go HERE to check it out. My hope for myself is to run a marathon or atleast a 1/2 marathon within the year!

I weighed myself this morning and I weigh less than I weighed when I got married! I am so excited I can not even begin to tell you!

I have really started to watch the things that my family and I eat. I'm not buying anything prepackaged or things that are full of preservatives (and if I do they are organic). I have even started making all our snacks and breads. (I know I'm a freak! Whatevah!) -But I feel great and I feel like my body is so clean!

Because of all this stuff combined: I feel stronger, healthier, happier, more confindent, and just plain better! And as an added bonus- The Hubby keeps telling me how sexy I am (and honestly I think it's my outlook more than my body that is the change he sees!)

This weeks goals: To keep it up! Exercise each day, Run, Eat Clean and Healthy, Drink my water, and most of all: to have a good attitude about it!

I have some really great, healthy, yummy snack recipes I'm going to start sharing. You'll love them and so will your families! So come back to check it out!



Shawn over at Seriously is hosting a House Tour. This week: Children's Rooms.

I am going to show my son's today and next week I'll show my daughters (next week is guest bedrooms. I don't have one so I'll show hers instead).

You can go HERE to see a few more pics of the little man's room.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Memorial Day Weekend...

Surfs Up!

We went to the lake this past weekend. I just wanted to share some of the fun pics from the way fun time we had:


These are the kinds of things we let our 4 year old do (Go ahead judge me!):

Anxiously watching Daddy and Brother:

Look at that form! I stood on the platform for about 10 minutes before I got the courage to actually jump! Kane kept telling me not to be a chicken! It was so cold!!!

Some Daddy time in the water for baby girl:

Isn't she so stinkin' cute with those pigtails?!:

It was the Best day and so much fun to watch the kiddos play!

Friend Makin' Monday...

Hello! and Welcome Friends!!!

For those of you that are new to FMM you can go HERE to get the low-down. And for those of you that are hardcore FMMers...Thanks for coming back!

I do have one more rule for you all to add to the short list of FMM rules:
You must take a FMM button and add it to your post (it can be found over on the bottom of the right-hand sidebar)! They are so stickin' cute and they must, must, must be used!

This weeks task is in honor of the fact that today is my Anniversary!

We have been married 7 years today. So, todays question is:

How did you and your significant other meet? and if you don't have a significant other at the moment then what would be your dream way to meet him?


Warning: This is long and very Soap Opera-ish!

Well, the hubby and I actually grew up together. We have known each other as long as I can remember. We never really liked each other until I was a 9th grader and he was an 8th grader though. Well, actually "we" didn't like each other then either. I liked (loved, obsessed over!) him, and he wanted me to drop off the face of the earth. I would see him at church, school, games and confess my undying love for him. He would usually turn many shades of red and tell me to go away! Silly guy had no idea!

Anyhoo, finally my Jr. year, his sophmore year he came around and we started dating. We dated for almost a year when he decided to break up with me the day before my birthday which was also one day after prom! Can you believe it?!!!

We started dating again my Senior year and as was our custom I fell head over hills for him and he was fine with whatever! In true hubby fashion he broke up with me again, but this time he did one better and broke up with me ON my birthday! I know right?!!!

I went off to college the next year thinking I was so over him. I met another guy and we hit it off great. A year or so later I was engaged to him. We dated for 3 years and less than a month before the wedding I was so miserable that I called my mother and confessed to her that there was no way I could marry him. Of course she told me to end it. So that's what I did, and I moved back home the next day.

The day I moved home Nolan's mom came to visit me. I remember walking down the hall of my parents house and rounding the corner into the dining room and seeing her. The first thing out of my mouth before I even said hello to her was "I do not want to talk about Nolan. He and I will never date again!" HA! Famous last words right?

That was in May and I was 21.

On July 4 that same summer I went to a July 4 party with my parents. The hubby's grandparents were there. I don't know why, but for some reason I asked his grandpa how Nolan was and if he was in town for the holiday. His grandpa said he was in, so I went further and told him to make sure and tell him "hello" for me. I had not really even thought about him in 3 years and here I was completely consumed by the thought of getting to see him and just talk with him. It was the craziest feeling I've ever had! That night I told my parents I was going to a friend's house and I drove by his house about 100 times waiting to see his car so I could stop by and tell him "hi". His parents were out of town and he was staying with his grand parents so I didn't get my chance.

His grandpa was good on his word though and he passed on my "hello". The next day my mother called me while I was out on a date to tell me "you will never guess who just called to talk with you?!...Nolan!" I immediately made an excuse and left my date to go home and call him! I'm sure you're all thinking I'm completely crazy now right!?

We made plans to have lunch together that week. We talked and had the greatest time. He told me that it was so strange when his grandpa had told him I said "hi' because even though he had not really thought of me in years he had thought about me and us the entire way home from Texas.

We saw each other a couple of times that week, but then I just stopped returning his calls. I was fresh off a break up. Not just any break up either! I was supposed to have married that guy! And here I was falling head over heals in love with Nolan! Nolan the guy that likes to break up with me on my birthday! I was so not in a good enough emotional place to handle it, so the easiest thing seemed to just not answer the phone!

About a month later I went to a friend's wedding. Nolan's parents sang the most wonderful song. I cried through the whole thing thinking why in the world did I not answer the phone?! I left the wedding and told my mother that I had to call Nolan before he went back to college to tell him that I loved him. I called him about 1 hour after the wedding and he told me that he was on his way out the door to go with his family on a short weekend vacation he would call me when he got back. I told him to please not forget it was important!

He promised to call.

He didn't.

I found out about 1 week later from my mother who had spoken to his grandmother that he had gone back to school in Texas. This was in August.

In November I still had him on my mind. I just couldn't seem to shake this feeling that I needed him in my life. I talked my roommate into calling an old friend of Nolan's and we had him call and get Nolan's phone # down at school for me. I called him, he didn't answer so I left a message. I just knew he wouldn't call me back.

He did.

He came home a week later for Thanksgiving. We spent every moment we could together. By the end of the week we had told each other we loved each other. It was perfect!

However...when he left to go back to school he said we shouldn't put a label on ourselves that with us living 6 hours away from each other that we should just see how things went. Well, let me tell you!...this went all over me! He tells me he loves me and then tells me that we aren't going to put a label on our relationship status! Who does this guy think he is?!

I dated other guys! I'll show him I thought. He came home for Christmas and of course I was so happy to see him, but then at the same time I was like: "You know what...I am sick and tired of your stupid head games! I have got to get over you and move on! I cannot continue to let you rule over me like this!"

So guess what I did? I stopped answering his calls! But this time he did not give up so easily! He called me at work! He showed up at my apartment! The day he showed up at my apartment and wanted to talk I was so distant and I felt so torn! A guy I was talking with and had been out with a couple of times showed up at my door wanting to know if I wanted to go grab a bite to eat. I didn't know what to do! I felt like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar! But just to be mean to Nolan I introduced them and when I introduced Nolan I introduced him as an old friend from High School! HA!

Later I explained to the guy I was seeing (who was a really sweet guy) that Nolan and I had a long history but I was so over it and I was going to tell Nolan so. I told the guy that I was going to meet with Nolan Christmas night and talk with him and I would call him the next day.

Nolan and I met at my parent's house Christmas night and we stayed up talking into the morning hours. Lot's of tears were shed and I explained to him how much it hurt me that he would tell me he loved me and then not want to label it or in my eyes make it exclusive. He promised me that I was the only one for him and that he loved me and that I could put whatever label on us that I wanted that he just wanted to be with me!

So the next day I had a lot of explaining to do when I called the other guy! Instead of breaking it off with Nolan like I had told him I was going to do, Nolan and I were more serious than ever! OOPS! This was in December.

April 28 he proposed to me in Dallas which was 8 days before my birthday. I had gone down that weekend to find myself an apartment so that we didn't have to do the long distance thing any more. He proposed while I was there. He gave me a journal that he had been writing in for months with my ring in it wrapped around the string bookmark. It was perfect!

We decided that instead of me finding an apartment that weekend we would just get married on May 25! We knew we loved each other and we wanted to be married to each other: Why wait?! So we didn't. and on May 25, 2002 I became his wife! and It was and is wonderful!

I love you Nolan!

Sorry this was so long, but I just couldn't help myself! I promise I won't do it again!

Don't forget to sign in with Mr. Linky...and I can't wait to hear your stories!

Friday Freebie w/ Heidi and Shawn...

Heidi at Sacred and Profane who is the funniest girl in Blog Land started this fun little thing on Fridays where you can have a chance to win free stuff! She talks all of her loving admirers into hosting different Fridays. This week she bribed Shawn At Seriously into hosting. Guess who she talked into hosting next week? That's right! Yours Truly!

My absolute favorite of the group of 4. She's giving one for each season!!!

But anyhoo, back to this week! Shawn is giving the cutest handmade frames away! I want them! So go check it out! Shawn is the greatest! and apparently the craftiest too! Love the frames Shawn! Pick me! (I'll pick you next week if you pick me! ---Okay, okay, just kidding! -sort of! HA!)

Go See Shawn and Heidi! They Rock!

Banned From Wal-Mart...

I don't know if this is real (I should hope not!), but it is funny. A friend emailed it to me and I thought of my dear friend Shawn at Seriously when I read it! So I thought I would share. Some of you can maybe relate!...

BANNED FROM WAL-MART...

This is why women should not take men shopping against their will.



After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to

Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and

preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunately, my wife is like most

women - she loved to browse.



Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local

Wal-Mart:



Dear Mrs. -,

Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in

our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both

of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr. - are listed below

and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.



1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's

carts when they weren't looking.



2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute

intervals.



3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's

restroom.



4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice,

'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away.'



5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on

layaway.



6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.



7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other

shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from

the bedding department.



8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and

screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'



9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a

mirror while he picked his nose.



10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked

the clerk where the antidepressants were.



11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming

the ' Mission Impossible' theme.



12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna=2 0look'

by using different sizes of funnels.



13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through

yelled, 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'



14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed

a fetal position and screamed, 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'


And last, but not least...


15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile,

then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'



Sincerely,

Wal-Mart

Homerun- Hit it, Hit it- Homerun!!!...

T-ball season is upon us! And the Kane man is a Rock Star if I do say so myself! He is so much fun to watch and he really hustles! Here are a few pics from his first game the other night...

A little last minute advice from the coach...

And he scores!!!...

Just a little nose pickin'. When ya gotta, you gotta you know?...

Lookin' cool with his hat on backwards (he got in trouble for this from his daddy!)...

Have a great day!

Isn't my new Blog Design beautiful! Simply Yours Designs did it for me! I love it! Click on the button to go get one of your own! You'll be glad you did!

And if you really want to be COOL then you'll want one of these sassy little things:

And if you want to make some super wonderful friends here in the blogging world then you'll want to pick up one of these to showcase on Mondays when you come back to visit me here for your Friend Makin' Mondays:

You can get the codes for my lovely buttons over on the right-hand sidebar! Enjoy!!!

My Bathroom: Seriously!...

My friend Shawn at Seriously is hosting a home tour.

I thought I would link up and join her!

This week (in case you haven't figured it out): Bathrooms!

I have 2 but I refuse to show mine: it's sad and also...after seeing Shawn's bathrooms,
I'm feeling depressed and sad about my little bathrooms!

This is our front/guest/kids bath.


Now go on over and join in the fun!

We Are so proud of our Uncle Clay!...

This past weekend the hubby's little brother, Clay, graduated from High School! We are so proud of him and he is just the best guy ever!

The Family

Out to Dinner at Shogun

We love you Clay!!!