Happy Good Friday

I'm very glad it's Friday. I just wish the weather was a little more spring-like and not freezing-like. I'm looking forward to a nice busy weekend full of birthday parties, softball games, cleaning, Easter celebrating, and family. Please, please pray that the rain stays away on Sunday.

I hope everyone has a blessed weekend and remembers the reason for the holiday. We get into decorating for Easter around here and Jessica loves all the bunnies. I made this last night, though, as a reminder to us all that the real reason for this holiday is the death and resurrection of Christ. I saw this link on Pinterest...and I have to say I'm really liking how it turned out. AND...I got to use my laminating machine...which is always awesome.

So...just remember!

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.

Mark 16:5-7

Happy Tuesday

Just a quick post. No big...I'm back...I'll blog everyday. Because I probably won't. But I may try and update once in a while. We'll just have to wait and see. Lot's of exciting things are going on in life. Things are busy. Things are changing. Things are exciting! Lot's to look forward to.

 As I was eating my breakfast and reading through the small list of blogs that I follow on a regular basis...one of those blogs mentioned running and the song "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys. No...I'm not about to take up running. In fact, I think I'm going to get this bumper sticker for my car. 

Anywho... I've heard clips of the song before on some commercial but never the entire song. I went to iTunes and downloaded it. And it came on very load loud. And it.was.AWESOME. And then..."My Hope Is You" by Third Day came on and I couldn't help but smile and Thank God for this day. I think it's going to be a great day.

I keep remembering..."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13.
Hope everyone has a blessed day.

Enjoy...
You Tube: Alicia Keys - Girl On Fire

~y~

The Newest Addition - Bella

I had completely forgotten what it's like to have a puppy. Bella quickly brought me up to speed. She's growing so much and getting into all kinds of trouble. She's a chewer. Our basset hounds didn't really chew anything. Bella will chew everything... including the corner of the stairs and couch!

She's sort of sleeping through the night now. She only wakes once between 4 and 5. The problem is - she refuses to go back in her box. So if I don't want her to wake up the rest of the house with her crying and barking - she and I get to sleep on the couch the rest of the "night."

She loves to wrestle and play with the basset's and they all love to chase the cat.

The only downside to the new puppy is that due to the increase in activity that the basset's are getting - Baily is having issues again with his hips. We've also found out he has a thyroid problem and needs to lose 30 pounds. It's a sad time for Bailey right now. No more treats all day long, diet food, and lots of meds.

But, I will tell you what makes it all worth while. When Jessica is holding Bella and looks at me and says - "I love you mommy - thank you for getting me Bella!"

Hilarious.... and the 2012 update

I follow several blogs on a regular basis, and have added some this year. Reading and enjoying other people's blogs always makes me think of my own. I think it is hilarious that I only made 2 entries last year - both about resolutions that were abandoned right way. So this year, NO resolutions! Just a hope that I'll stick to the diet (Weight Watchers) and exercise program that we started (I'm actually really enjoying it), and that I'll update this blog more than just this one time! We shall see. Maybe next January I can just cut and paste the same blog entries! Let's HOPE not!
BUT here is an update to start the new year....


Christmas and New Year's with Family
We spent Christmas Eve and morning with my mom, step-dad, brother, his new wife, and his daughter in Cumming GA this year. It was a wonderful time and the girls really enjoyed being with each other! After opening presents and enjoying and excellent Christmas morning casserole, we packed up and headed to Chris' parent's house to enjoy a second Christmas. It was good to see and spend time with the family. We headed home around 5 (sans Jessica but with the new puppy) for a quite evening at home. We got completely sucked into watch The Walking Dead! It was really good and neat to see scenes from the Atlanta area in the show. Looking forward to watching season 2 now that we have those!


New Addition to the Family
We've been talking about a puppy for a while. BUT, since Chris' sister had a whole litter of Labradoodle's...I convinced Chris that we need to get Jessica one for Christmas. She is super cute and Jessica named her Bella. She's super smart and already sleeping (mostly) through the night. If she does get up early (between 4:30 and 5:30...I just sleep on the couch with her.) Here's a picture of her and Jessica this morning! Jessica loves her! We think she'll look more like a lab than a poodle and can't wait to watch her grow.

Ongoing Project Update
Jessica got an American Girl Doll for Christmas. I had hoped to postpone this purchase for a year or two more but both her older cousins and her best friend Emma have American Girl Dolls! So...you know how that goes. Chris made her this bunk bed (Ana White AG Doll Bunkbed) and I've bought the materials for the bedding to hopefully make this week. I also want to learn to use some of the building tools we have, so I'm planning on making this picnic table for her with Chris' help. I'm looking forward to these projects and will try and post pictures of them when complete!

Household Organization
I feel like every room in my house is a disaster. I can't even get a Diet Coke from the fridge in the garage without tripping over something that doesn't even below there! My goal is to start organizing one room or area at a time. It will be a LOT of work! I started on the "junk counter" the other day. This is the area of counter space just inside the garage door. We end up dumping everything here and it's always out of control. The top is at least cleaned off a bit now. Today I tackled putting the DVDs into the built in cabinet and organizing all the games in the same area.

Super boring life details, but important stuff to me just the same. I've had a great day off with my husband and daughter and know now I'm going to really miss having her around all the time when school starts back later this week.

Must Get Going....

Part of my New Year's goals was to get to work at a much earlier time. It's Wed and its 7:25 and I've not left the house yet...so...much to work on. I've been fighting a cold since right after Christmas and am having a very hard time getting going in the morning. It's much easier to sit and wakeup with a cup of coffee in front of my home computer.  :-)

But...also wanted to report some things that are happening...as mentioned that I'm using SparkPeople to track my nutrition and exercise. That is going well and there is even a journal/blog on that site that I'm trying to use as well. The site is a bit confusing at first because it does soooo much...but I'm getting the hang of it. Having a group of people that are all trying to accomplish the same goal is helpful too! Check it out if you haven't already.

Happy Wednesday
~Yvette~

Welcome to 2011

It's a whole new year. And that means it's time to list out the resolutions. We all do this, don't we? Write down or think about what we want to do in the new year. And then by the 3rd week (or 1st) we've already gotten off track. But...what would the new year be without this exercise...so here is my list...with some thoughts on each option:

• Don't let small setbacks throw me completely off task/target! --"Just keep swimming, swimming!" I will get back on track if I slip and not let small setbacks ruin the entire plan.
  
• Track and follow our budget. We've had it for years - and it looks GREAT on paper. Now to put it into practice! Using Mint.com to help with this task as it's available from any computer AND our cell phones. It also has budget and goal tracking so it should be easy. My first focus is the grocery budget!
  
• Diet and Exercise. So really - I MUST do something. I've been saying this for 4 years now and I just keep getting bigger. SO.THIS.IS.THE.YEAR! I'll be 41 in July and if I stay focused between now and then I can make my goal. I have to lose 45 pounds! But mostly I just want to feel good about myself again. I want to not mind having my picture taken with Jessica. I'm using SparkPeople.com to track my food and exercise. Also available on any computer and my cell phone.
  

There are other things I'd like to work on too, of course. Like finishing many projects that I've started or really work on my scrap booking and sewing and gardening. But, I think the ones above are my main focus. I think they will be hard. But I think I can do it. Are you making resolutions this year? Any tips for staying focused?

Happy New Year!
Here's to a whole new me in 2011!
~Yvette~

From the mouths of babes....

Jessica - "Mom, can I wear this? I'm going to my first wedding practice."
She hands me a gold heart necklace that I bought her.
Me - "Sure, let me untangle it. Whose getting married?"
Jessica - "I'm gonna try and marry a prince."


Hopefully she means the first practice for her wedding and not practice for her first wedding! I just love her so much!