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Thursday, January 3, 2013

Happy New Year...2013

Hello Everyone,

Happy third day of the new year!

I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year's.

We were so busy for the last several weeks. We finally finished our floors. Aside from getting used to the foot prints and refraining from cleaning them every time I see them, I love the floors. The color is wonderful and I love that we do not have as much dust.

I started focusing on my weight loss again on New Year's Day. I told myself I had to walk at least 30 minutes each day. I also planned healthy dinners along with my breakfast, lunch, & snacks. I have been drinking more water too.

I actually ran for 10 minutes of my walk on New Year's Day. It wasn't planned but I felt good so I did it. I was proud of myself for that. Yesterday I walked. I was not feeling well. Caleb was sick on New Year's Eve and Day so I was hoping I didn't catch something. I decided to walk but walk slow and take my time.

With walking and eating healthier I am feeling a lot better. I told myself that I know I feel better and sleep better when I work out so why can't I just find 15-30 minutes to do this?

I shouldn't be too hard on myself though. It was the holidays and we were very busy so I can say that while I was not focusing on me, I did not stop thinking about how I needed to get back on track after the holidays. Maybe that helped me not go completely overboard in some way? hmmm...

Yesterday I made Hungry Girl's pulled Pork. You can find her recipe for 'Cue the Pulled Pork here. It turned out pretty good. The serving size was a lot too, 2/3 cup. I don't think I will use pork shoulder again though, unless my local meat market will cut a lean 3/4 lb for me, I'll just stick with the tenderloin.

I also made Weight Watcher's Oven Fries. You can find the recipe for that here. I didn't have baking potatoes so I just used the red potatoes I had with sea salt that I crushed with the back of a spoon. They turned out great!

I served steamed asparagus for myself and small salads for both of us. I made apple cobbler for dessert. I bought a pre-mixed cobbler, peeled & cored gala apples, and added 5 Tbsp of butter. I served vanilla ice cream with it. YUM!

For some reason I was hungry all day yesterday. I drank water. That didn't help. I ate a string cheese, that helped a little. After lunch it was the same story. I had a few roasted peanuts (shelled), that didn't help. I tried an apple, that helped a little. After dinner same story again, I was hungry. I don't know why I get like that? Crazy! I thought I managed it pretty well though.

I was reading some one's post on facebook today about how they discipline their kids and it got me to thinking about Caleb and how we are doing as parents. It sure is hard! I have no idea if what I am doing is right or wrong. I know my husband and I are doing the best we can. We only want what is best for Caleb and his future.

Caleb is getting closer to wearing "big boy" under wear all day without accidents. He likes to wear them. I let him pick out a pack at the store a few weeks ago. He liked Diego. I previously bought Jake and the Never land Pirates, which he likes but not as much as Diego. I have to ask him if he has to potty constantly.

He gets to playing and forgets then has an accident sometimes. This usually occurs 10 minutes after I have asked him if he had to go, then I am cleaning or doing laundry. Sigh...Lol. He is doing really well though, I am proud of him. Now if I can just get him to eat like he did as a baby. He is so picky. Sometimes he won't even eat fruit.

His diet consists of Milk, some Roaring Waters or juice (not often), fruit, carrots, crackers of many varieties (I buy whole grain where I can), french fries both white potato and sweet potato, chips, gold fish, yogurt, applesauce, fruit snacks, raisins, pizza (on occasion), bread (on occasion), tacos (JIB or frozen mini beef tacos...terrible I know), vanilla wafers, pretzels, multi-grain cheerios, waffles...

It isn't horrible but it isn't great either. I give him a little of what we are eating. He always pushes it away. We both ask him if he wants a bite of what we have, he never does. I figure I will just keep putting it out there for him and maybe one day he will eat it? On the very rare occasion he has eaten a PB&J, grilled cheese, cheerios with milk, soup, chili, and deer tenderloin. I hope he grows out of this soon. His doctor isn't too worried since Caleb drinks so much milk and does eat fruit.

He is getting to a tough phase. He wants to argue about everything. It's a fight to get dressed for the day and for bed time. It's a fight to take a bath and get out. It's a fight to take a nap or go to bed, mostly the naps. If I say something is blue or orange then he argues that it isn't. Lol. He is very strong minded and stubborn. He is also very particular about how things are supposed to be or where they go.

He acts so much older than 2 1/2 that I often forget he is 2 1/2. I try to be consistent and keep a routine so he doesn't have any surprises and he knows what to expect. I also do what I say I am going to do. Sometimes he still pushes buttons and tests me.

There are days where it is just too much and I have no idea what to do, what is right? But no matter what, I always tell him I love him. I explain why he was disciplined for what he did. I always hug him. I tell him I am proud of him. I remind him that when he helps pick up his toys it helps me out a lot. I feel these things are important for him to hear every day.

I watch a few kids before and after school. I also watch some for a few days throughout the week. Caleb does not get a long with one of the younger boys. Caleb goes out of his way to push him or tell him that he cannot play with something. Caleb does not want to share with this little boy at all.

I put him in time out, spank him, or talk to him depending on how bad his action was. I talk to him about it no matter what and then have him tell the person he is sorry (if he hit someone or something like that).

I believe in teaching him what is right and wrong now so when he is older he will have an easier time. While some may think he is too young to understand, he is not. He is very smart and while some things may not make sense to him, he does understand others. It depends on each child how they should be disciplined, in my opinion. The more I am consistent with consequences to his actions the more he will learn what he should and shouldn't do.

I am no expert and I probably do a lot of things wrong. But I do know that I love my son and I want to see him grow up to be a respectable young man. I want him to feel like he can come to me for anything and talk to me about anything. I want him to be successful and responsible.

I have received many compliments on how well my husband and I are raising him. He is very well behaved in public and at other people's homes. Caleb has been such a great kid and we just adore him. He plays well with other kids (just not this one little boy) and really enjoys learning. He will be going to pre-school soon and I know he will do great!

Sometimes how you raise your child can cause quite a conflict among others. I don't know if I seem too strict or not strict enough. I will keep learning as I go. :)

What would you do if your child got along with other kids fine but one child he did not get along with?

How would you get your kids to eat different foods?

Well that is my thoughts for now. I'd love positive feedback. :)

Have a great day! The sun is shining here in MO even though there is snow on the ground and it is cold.



Sunday, December 23, 2012

December 2012 Catch-Up

Hello. I am sorry for the long delay in posting.
 
I have been really busy and struggling with many things.
I really just needed time to get myself back on track.
 
Here is some of what I have been up to for the last month...
 

The photos above are when we were getting ready for Thanksgiving. I weigh about 194 here. I feel really good and skinny. Excited to wear skinny jeans and boots over them. This was a first for me. I received many compliments that I looked really good and to keep it up.
My son looks so adorable in his outfit with the hat and tie. He of course didn't keep the tie on for very long so I am glad I got pictures of him before.
 
My hubby was tired of me complaining about how our house smelled.
~I was letting my neighbor's dogs out for a couple of days and every time I would come back into our house, I thought it smelled. It's not like our house is disgusting or anything. I clean. I am always vacuuming and shampooing the carpets. They never seem to stay clean and I can never seem to get rid of the musty smell.~
SO...he tells me "that's it we are getting new floors for Christmas"!!! He found a great deal at a local place on laminate floors. We put in our order then headed to Red Robin for lunch. The photo above is my hubby and son at lunch. They are too cute!
 
Caleb and I went shopping for Christmas decorations and gifts at Michael's. We were having a special day together since he was going to his Grandma and Grandpa's for the whole weekend. I took him out for donuts for breakfast before hand. This was a special treat that we don't do often.
He saw a "baby" tree, that's what he called it, and asked if he could have one in his room. So we picked one out and picked up some decorations for it. Luckily, they were all on sale. Score!
We found a few things that he could make for his grandma's too.
 
 
Our niece had her baby on November 30. His name is Andrew. Isn't he adorable!!! Caleb thought he was pretty neat too!
 



December 1 we headed out for "wine country" off of highway 94. We stopped at Sugar Creek Winery and had lunch at Augusta Brewing Co. We tried a few different types of beer. Interesting that I liked the Imperial Pumpkin Porter beer the best. The only dark beer I have ever liked is Amberbach, it's not that dark though.
We continued on our journey down highway 94 and stopped at Stone hill Winery in Hermann. LOVE Hermann! Tasted a few different wines and decided on what to buy. It was getting late so we thought we should head on to the Bed in Breakfast that we needed to check-in to.
We arrived at Loganberry Inn and I realized that I lost my driver's license. Once we were settled in our room and I picked out a few movies from their movie cabinet, we called the places we stopped at to see if they found my license.
Not too long after I received a call from Augusta Brewing Company. Someone turned it in to them. We would be stopping by there on the way home. :)
The Inn was very nice and so were the owners. We just felt out of our comfort zone being in someone else's house. We walked into town to get dinner and window shopped a little. It was disappointing that many of their shops were closed early on a Saturday night. The Soda Fountain I wanted to go to closed at 6...bummer! So we walked back to the Inn to watch some movies and enjoy the gift basket I received. It had delicious, gourmet brownies, 2 different types of cheese, crackers, strawberries, grapes, and a bottle of champagne. Yum!
When we headed up stairs for breakfast, we met the other couples that were staying at the Inn. The breakfast was very good! They served ham and cheese quiche and cinnamon apple french toast. I had never had anything like them. Very fancy and elegant. My very picky hubby even enjoyed them. We had orange juice with our breakfast too.
We had a very nice weekend away.
 

(The wall is actually blue. The lighting was yellow so it looks green.)

Our floors arrived! So we pulled up the carpet in our bedroom and got to work installing the new floor. Love the color and love it so far!
 

Here is a before and after of my son's room. We originally were keeping the bedrooms carpeted but changed our minds. Rugs are so much cheaper to replace in the end.
We have completed our bedroom, Caleb's room, and the hall up to the living room. We still need to do the office and living room (which is like 2 rooms). We also need to buy new trim. The trim we tore off was cheap so hubby wanted to buy better trim. I can't wait for it to be done!

My friends and I make gingerbread houses every year in December.Caleb actually participated this year and he had so much fun putting candy all over. :)

My little stinker has not been taking naps or going to bed on time lately. I started waking him up early in the morning hoping he would nap. When I put him in his room for nap time he just plays in there the whole time. Then he falls asleep around 5-6 at night. When we move him to take him to bed he wakes up and stays up past his bed time. So one morning before I woke him, I noticed he fell asleep with his lap top open and Mickey Mouse laying on the lap top. It looks as if they had a late night at the office. lol.
 


Caleb painted ornaments and figures last week. He had a lot of fun doing this. He also sat still long enough to get his hair cut shorter then usual. He looks so handsome!

We celebrated Christmas at our first house last night. He was making Mickey and Minnie Mouse kiss. The first picture shows him making the kissing sound and the second is the hilarious face that came with the kissing sound. We laughed so hard! He's such a character!

We celebrated Christmas at our second house today. My mom had my Uncle draw this photo for me. It is my 2 dogs and my son when he was about 16-18 months old. The main photos he used for the drawing are below. I took the picture with my phone so there is a glare from the glass frame but it is so cool!
 


 
 
Now that you are caught up on what I have been up to with my family I can tell you a little about my struggles.
 
I stopped tracking and planning.
I stopped working out.
I had lots of cravings and rough days.
 
I did try to start over new every week though. I would tell myself I would drink more water this week or track every thing I ate. I also managed to stop by mid-week or something. I haven't gone completely over board but I am not eating as much vegetables or fruit as I did when I first started weight watchers.
 
I am not sleeping well at night at all. I am very restless and wake up several times during the night. I just can't seem to get comfortable. I get too hot or too cold. I toss and turn and I am so tired but can't stay asleep.
 
I didn't want to go to my weight watcher's meeting this past Saturday because I thought for sure I had gained weight. With me not tracking, not eating very healthy and not working out I thought for sure it was going to be bad. By some miracle I lost .4 lbs. Which I am very happy about but I am not happy that I am out of routine. I am trying not to be too hard on myself with it being the holidays and all. I keep saying, "when Christmas is over you can get back on track". I sure hope so. That's the plan any way.
 
My weight this Saturday was 190lbs. I have lost over 50lbs since January 2011. I am very proud of my accomplishments but I feel like I am slipping back into old ways and habits. I also think I am being too hard on myself.
 
It is hard though! Very hard! I just want to eat and have no consequences sometimes. But that's not possible.
 
I am just busy and it is the holiday's. Things will be normal again in a few days. I am not so far gone that I get back on track. I need to just enjoy the holiday's and my new "body".
 
So I will work on my plan after Christmas and see if I can get myself on a routine.
 
I did buy a dress for my hubby's holiday work party in February. It's a size large and it was on sale for $33. I need to find shoes to go with it but it is so nice! I still can't believe I can wear large in pants and shirts. It so surreal!
 
I need to keep focused on fitting into the dress I ordered at the end of November. It's a European size 16 which measures a little smaller than my current size. I'm thinking of making up a visual that I can see every day to remind me of what I need to fit into.
 
Oh yea and I bought a size 12 pair of skinny jeans that fit but are just a tad snug. I could try to work towards fitting into those better too.
 
My boys are watching Cars (Caleb's first time watching) so I better get off here and join them.
 
Until next time...
 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!
 
  
 

 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Help! Blog button troubles. LOL

Trying to add a button for the first time.
I am following the directions from the lovely Holly.
I got as far as entering the code along with my photo from photo bucket.
I click my photo as you can see in the picture below then click the hyperlink, where my cursor is pointed.
 When I click the hyper link this message pops up.
An error has occured in this dialog.
Error: 100
Function expected.
What does this mean? What am I doing wrong? Why am I so computer illiterate? I used to know a lot but I guess I do not no much about the more update computer stuff.

Thanks for you help!

Whitney

Thanksgiving Link Up

<p align="center"><a href="http://www.thestanfieldclan.com/"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z468/suit1/turkey.png" alt="button" width="377" height="270" /></a></p>
 
Good Morning! I am linking up for the first time with my new friend Holly. It is great way to meet new friends in the blogging world and get to know them better. The conversation is about Thanksgiving which you can either Vlog or Blog your answers to the questions below.

1. What do you look forward to more: the food, football or parades?
I look forward to the Food! Since I was a kid I have looked forward to Turkey, Mashed Potatoes and Brown & Serve Rolls. Just over the past 10 years or so I did add Green bean Casserole and Stuffing to my list. I also enjoy time with my family too.

2. What is your favorite non-traditional Thanksgiving Day dish?
I am not sure if anyone serves anything non-traditional except for salad. I didn't see that growing up and now it is served every Thanksgiving. I guess that is why I feel like it is non-traditional?

3. After dinner, is it football or a nap?
Usually after dinner we have dessert and either go to the next house, play board games and/or catch up. The kids always run around like crazy and play.

4. Do you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Which is your favorite float?
We don't have a particular parade that we watch. We kind of just flip through the channels while we are getting ready. Sometimes we don't even get to watch TV while getting ready.

5. Where do you go to celebrate and eat your big meal? Who is there (family, friends)?
On Thanksgiving Day we go to my former-step families house first, around 1-2pm. We visit for a little while, eat and usually have to head over to Jerry's family's house by 4pm, to eat again. We are usually miserably full for the rest of the day. But it is nice getting so see family, I just wish we had more time. At some point over the weekend we go to visit my grandparents who live about 2 hours away. My grandpa has Alzheimer's disease and so we haven't really done a dinner the past few years but we do visit for a few hours, which is nice. Sometimes we also have dinner with my dad at my step-mom's dad's house.

6. What is your favorite turkey day dessert?
I love Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream. If it is available I will have pecan pie too or apple pie. Just depends on what is available. I am making Hungry Girl's Too-Good-To-Deny Pumpkin Pie this year. It's really good!

What do you do for Thanksgiving?

Monday, November 19, 2012

Food Diary: Monday November 19, 2012 and Deer Roast Recipe

Happy Monday Evening!

Today was a little different than my usual Monday's but that is okay. :) First here is what I ate:

Breakfast: Same as a few other mornings.
1/2 Cup of Whole Grain Quick Cooking Oatmeal with Brummel and Brown Butter, Cinnamon, Truvia, and Brown Sugar.
1 Cup Skim Milk
Vitamins and Antibiotics
 
Lunch: 2 Slices Sara Lee 45 Calories and Delightful with 6 slices of Smoked Turkey, 1 slice of 2% American Cheese, Romaine Lettuce, and Dijon Mustard.
About 15 Chips
 
Dinner: Homemade Deer Roast with Frank's Red Hot Sauce
Antibiotics
(This is one of my favorite meals!!!)
 
Venison Roast Recipe
(You can use Beef too)
 
About 2lbs of Deer Roast or 1 Chuck Roast
1 Pkg of Lipton Onion Soup Mix (I use generic)
1-2 Cans of Fat Free or Reduced Sodium Cream of Mushroom Soup
1-2 Cans of Fat Free Beef Broth
1 bag of Carrots (pre-cut and washed, not a huge bag)
8-10 Yellow Gold Potatoes - quartered (or you can use red potatoes)
 
Oven
Pre-Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Put meat, onion mix, cream of mushroom soup, and beef broth in a deep casserole type dish.
Cook meat for 4 hours.
Add Potatoes and Carrots then cook an additional 1 Hour. Or until veggies are soft when pierced.
 
Crock Pot
Put meat in crock pot. Cover with Onion Soup, Cream of Mushroom Soup, and Beef Broth. I stir the juices to break up the cream of mushroom soup to make it look more creamy.
Cook on low for about 4 hours until meat is brown. Then add potatoes and carrots and cook about 3-4 more hours on high or until potatoes & carrots are soft.
You can cook it on high for 2-3 hours and then add veggies and cook a few more hours until veggies are soft.
 
I usually use 2 cans each to cover the meat in the crock pot so the meat doesn't dry out. You can also add beer if you don't have an extra can of beef broth, to make more liquid. I feel like adding water may take away the flavor?
 
Let me know what you think. This recipe was adapted from my former step-mom. :) She's an amazing cook!


I had the 20 month old little boy today, we will call him B. I usually have him on Tuesday's and Wednesday's but with me being sick last week and then he got sick, we added an extra day to today.

I got up...very tired. Some days I just don't wanna! LOL. Especially in the winter time when my bed is nice and warm and soft. It's cold outside of the covers...brrrr...

I got ready and made my oatmeal breakfast.

The other kids were dropped off and I got them on the bus for school. Caleb woke up and I got him changed and dressed for the day.

I collected the laundry and started a load to finish what I didn't finish yesterday. Caleb and I cuddled for a while until B showed up.

I got to meet his daddy, but not under good circumstances. B's grandpa had a heart attack last week and from what B's daddy says, it isn't looking good. B's grandma passed away in April of this year. So sad for his family right now.

B is recovering from a double ear infection, so he was fussy and clingy. He is a daddy's boy for sure. I felt bad for the little guy but eventually he came around and played.

Caleb still has a hard time with sharing and playing fair. He has never played with a younger kid before so it is an adjustment for him.

I started roast for tonights dinner and cleaned up the kitchen.

I am constantly playing referee. Don't hit him, don't push him, be nice, share...ahh. LOL.

Lunch time is probably my favorite. B eats really well. A little more on the messy side than I am used to but he eats. He is quiet and confined to his chair for a while. Caleb is hit and miss lol. Sometimes he eats and other times he is just snacking. All-in-all they are both good boys though.

I lay B down for nap and let Caleb play for a little while. Then I have him lay down. I continue to do laundry and bring loads up to be folded throughout the day.

I add potatoes and carrots. I changed the setting to high so it will be ready by the time Jerry gets home.

B wakes up and I entertain him until Caleb wakes up. Not to long after that it is snack time and the bus drops off the other kids.

I entertain all of the kids until their parents show up.

I suppose this is like a day in the life of. LOL.

After dinner, I tried to catch up on my fellow blogger's posts. I think I may have to many I am following. But I am truely trying my best to read them all and make a comment on them.

Once caught up, I posted my blogs.

Plus we are watching Dexter and Walking Dead. I don't think I am paying attention to the shows. :/ and I love Dexter...but it is what it is. :)

Food Diaries, Funfetti Cake with Icing, and Weigh-In

Hello Everyone!
 
I'm sorry I have been absent. I tried to keep up with my blog but I just did not feel very well. So I did my best during the week and took pictures when I could. So now you can see some of the things I ate last week. I know you are so happy I did this. You're welcome.
 
Inspired by a fellow blogger, Thank you Lauryn Roth. Whole Grain Waffle's spread with Peanut Butter and I sliced banana to put on top. Very good and very filling!
 
Since my throat was sore and I felt poopy, I drank a lot of chamomile tea with honey. I did have a Yo plait Light Strawberry Yogurt too.
 
I love taco dip or layered dip. I had some Fage Total Greek Yogurt Plain. I heated up my refried beans and spread them on a plate. I mixed about 1 Tbsp of low sodium taco seasoning in with about 1/4-1/3 cup of the yogurt. Then I spread that on top of the beans. I chopped up some romaine and added that with some WW Mexican blend cheese and Pace Medium Salsa. I used Whole Grain Tostitos Scoops to eat it. It was pretty good and very filling. I didn't eat all of it but now I know another option instead of sour cream.


 
I woke up Friday morning and checked on Caleb. This is how is was Sleeping. He is so much like his daddy. Jerry hugs a pillow at night, Caleb hugs his Mickey Mouse or a blankie. Too cute!

One morning when I was feeling a little better and had a good few doses of antibiotics in my system I made this amazing breakfast. Two Egg Whites, 2 slices of bacon (I didn't eat the fatty parts, ha I know it's bacon but I still cut off the extra fat), 2 slices of Sara Lee 45 Calories and Delightful Whole Grain Bread with a little butter and jelly, 1 cup skim milk with 1 Tbsp of Carnation Instant Breakfast Chocolate powder. It was very good!
I was craving a sandwich like this with these chips and magically we had them on hand since it was deer season. I used smoked turkey, 2%  cheese, and Dijon mustard. It satisfied my craving. :)

 
Since I was not feeling well, my hubby picked up St. Louis Bread Company for Dinner. I had the You Pick 2: French Onion Soup (no croutons) with a french baguette, half Italian Combo with no sauce, and an iced tea. I didn't finish all of the soup, I was full.
 
Skinny Funfetti Cupcakes Recipe - made into cake
recipe from Six Sister's Stuff

This cake was pretty good. I made it for a little girl's birthday and she devoured it. I am not sure I will make it again but it is okay for a one time thing. It does not taste like it would when using the cake box directions but that was to be expected. The icing was okay too. I kept this cake in the fridge since I used cool whip in the icing. I am not sure if you should keep it refrigerated but I did to be safe. I read some reviews on the recipe from Six Sister's Stuff and someone mentioned adding a cup of milk to the icing. I did not try this but it is an option. Also, I believe I read on Hungry Girl's recipe for vanilla cake that she has tried using diet cream soda for vanilla/yellow cakes. When I made the icing, it started to thicken after a few minutes so try to spread it on the cake as soon as it is mixed thoroughly.

Skinny Funfetti Cake:
(Serves 12 slices of cake, 5 Weight Watchers Points Plus Values)

Cupcake Ingredients:
1 pkg. Pillsbury Funfetti Cake Mix (just the powder, not the recipe on the box)
1 (12 ounce) can Sprite Zero


Cake Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13" pan and set aside.  In a large bowl, combine cake mix and Sprite together. Continue to mix until the batter is smooth without any lumps.
 
 
Pour mixture into pan and spread evenly. Bake at 350 degrees. Following baking time directions according to type of pan you use. I think I baked the cake 30-35 minutes.  Let cool before frosting.

Frosting Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) container Fat Free Cool Whip
1 (1.5 ounce) pkg. Fat Free Vanilla Jello Instant Pudding (just the powder, not the recipe on the box)

Frosting Directions:
In a mixing bowl, add Cool Whip and pudding. Mix with a whisk by hand or an electric hand mixer until smooth. Spread over cooled cake. 
 


This was a nice snack I had one day last week. Healthy Choice Greek Frozen Yogurt. It came in a pack with 3 individual yogurts. It tasted like strawberry ice cream. Pretty Good!
 
This is my little man. Isn't he adorable? Yes he is. Thanks! My hubby was leaving to go hunting and Caleb decided he wanted to wear a hat like daddy. So he put on his Red Head Bass Pro Shops hat and did not take it off until we had a late lunch around 2pm. He is so awesome!

 
Caleb and I went to Kohl's to use my Kohl's cash to buy him a new pair of shoes. I also picked up a few outfits for him. Then we went to Wal-mart to grab a few things. I had a gift card for Old Navy from my Birthday so I went in to grab a pair of Skinny Jean's so I can wear my boots. Just to see if I could, I grabbed a size 12 with my size 14 to try on. I tried on the 12's first. Below is the 12's, zipped and buttoned. I was so excited! They are still a little snug in my belly but they fit! I couldn't believe it! Crazy!!!

 
Saturday Weigh-In Day: November 17, 2012
Weight: 194.8
I lost 2lbs this week. I was sick all week and didn't really track my food but I also didn't really eat much either with my throat being sore. This week was also my 16th week so I received my 16 week charm. They say it takes about 16 weeks to get used to a new plan and keep up with good routines. You start to notice you make different choices and have different habits.

I think I need to have bad weeks and sick weeks. They teach me that I am making progress. I do not eat near the amounts of food that I used to eat. The day that I made bacon, eggs, and toast. I really wanted a fried egg, over easy. But I changed my mind and just made egg whites. I still order diet soda or water when I am out. I notice that I make better choices. They may not always be the healthiest but they are much better than they were in the past.

I am starting to see what my husband sees when I look at myself in the mirror. I see a pretty girl with kind eyes and a nice smile. I am starting to enjoy every day and that is good with winter around the corner. Depression tends to settle in for some people during the winter months. Dark on the way to work and on the way home. Home is dark. Not much sunlight. Cold outside. So with that, I am hoping to beat that old way and make each day better. Now I will have to allow some snuggle time by the fire with Caleb but not every day, all day. :)

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. I love spending time with family. Then the holiday season really starts to feel like it is in the air. :)

Caleb and I window shopped on Friday night to see what he would like to ask Santa for for Christmas. It was fun. :) I think he enjoyed it too.

What do you do for the holiday's?