Join Me for Fitness Fridays

I have been writing occasionally about my struggles with weight, fitness, and my thyroid condition on Fridays. I have been half assing it. Trying but obviously not hard enough. I tried hard to lose the weight after my son stopped breast feeding but failed miserably despite following a healthy diet. Several months ago, I got diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease. I thought I'd finally found the answer to why losing weight was so hard for me. I thought once I got my disease under control, the weight would melt off. Guess what, it hasn't. I haven't tried very hard either. Half assing it again.

Like many others, I have weight lose resolutions for the New Year. I want to lose weight to not only look better but feel better too. No more half assing it! I vow to hit the gym at least twice a week for jogging and weight training circuits. I vow to work out three times a week at home. I vow to make those workouts intense too. No more reading a book while training on the elliptical machine. I vow to actually write down everything I eat. No more tracking only till mid day.

Losing weight and staying fit are not easy tasks. If they were, everyone would be a size 2 and a marathon runner. I will never be a size 2 and probably not a marathon runner, but I can lose weight and I can be healthier. Who wants to join me in the fight to lose weight and get in shape? I'm going to add a linky for anyone who wants to share their story each Friday, starting January 7.

Check Out These Abs!

Davey was afraid that the sweater was too bulky and made him look chunky. So he lifted his shirt during the Christmas performance to show off those abs.

Be sure to head over to see what all the other cool kids are wearing at Feet Off the Table. Check out more wordless at 5 Minutes for Mom, Momspective, A Beautiful Mess and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

Fuzzy Cozy Goodness

We had a great Christmas day. After everyone had left, I changed into my fuzzy socks and new jammies. That made me really happy.

Be sure to go Leigh vs Laundry to see more photos that are bound to make you happy.

I Didn't! I Swear!

I won a photo from Fun on a Dime for I Caught Santa. They kids thought it was great that I caught Santa.

We had a great Christmas. While we were traveling to from my parents' house to my in-laws on Christmas Eve, we sang Christmas carols. I asked Caitlin what her favorite Christmas song was. She said, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is my favorite. And don't get any ideas Mom."

Merry Christmas to You!

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Love,

Secret Mom aka Vicky

The Best Gifts

My best gifts wearing this year's must have hair accessory.

Be sure to head over to see what all the other cool kids are wearing at Feet Off the Table. Check out more wordless at 5 Minutes for Mom, Momspective, A Beautiful Mess and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

Sparkly Green Polish and the Elf Date

I love my sparkly green nail polish. It makes me happy. (Not a great photo to see the polish however.)

Be sure to go Leigh vs Laundry to see more photos that are bound to make you happy.

Dave and I watched Elf for our date this week. It just may be my favorite Christmas movie. I think it is just too sweet and funny. We made big mugs of hot cider and chocolate to drink. We snuggled under a big down comforter and were extra cozy. I actually fell asleep for the last 10 minutes but it was ok. We got up and both fell right asleep. I think I may have to add warm drinks before bed more often.
We actually watched Elf again with the kids a couple days later. They tend to make lots of noise so I was glad to watch it once without them. As we watched the second time, I made a ton of snowflakes to hang. I was inspired by Buddy. My snowflakes are not quite as fancy as his though.

This is date 38 out of 52 for us. Go to Simply Modern Mom to join in on the fun.

More Christmas Crafts

The kids and I made Christmas tree garland. We cut the trees out of felt and glued the decorations on them. I hot glued them to the ribbon.
I got this idea for jiggle bell bracelets from a blog but I can't find whose it was. Sorry I'd give credit if I could. It was pretty simple. You take a pipe cleaner and string the bells through. I added some star buttons too. Then take another pipe cleaner and twist it around the first. The kids love wearing them and singing "Jingle Bells" while frantically waving their arms.
Fortunately, they also make good door decorations.
We also did a simple foam sticker kit to make this wreath. Christmas time just makes me want to craft.

Bright Lights

Inspired by a photo on Ashley's Ramblings and Photos, I tried to achieve the effect. I almost got it.

This is the total opposite effect but I kind of like it.

Christmas Card Wreath Display

I usually display the Christmas cards we receive by taping them around the doors. But the cards tend to fall down and repeatedly need retaping. So I decided to come up with a different way to display them. I decided to make a wreath. Here's what I used to make them:
18" Floral & Craft Ring = $3.99
Red Velvet Bow = $.79
10 yards of Wired Ribbon = $3.99 (I used half for the wreath.)
50 clothespins = $1.30
It was really easy to make. I wrapped the ribbon around the craft ring and then hot glued it in place. I attached the bow in the middle. I also attached another piece of ribbon to tie it to the light fixture.
I used the clothespins to attach the cards. I kept them natural but you probably could paint them a matching color.

This is Really How I Found Them...

My little elf

And just like his dad.

Be sure to head over to see what all the other cool kids are wearing at Feet Off the Table. Check out more wordless at 5 Minutes for Mom, Momspective, A Beautiful Mess and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

Sleeping Babe and the Wreath Making Date

Davey passed out after the second Santa photo. I guess seeing Santa twice was too much excitement for him. Watching Davey sleep still makes me happy.

Be sure to go Leigh vs Laundry to see more photos that are bound to make you happy.

For our date this week, we made a Christmas wreath for the door. Dave recently told me he had a business as a teen making wreaths. Once I heard that, I knew we had to make one ourselves. Also goes to show you that you can still learn new things about each other after 9+ years.
Wreath Wire Cage= $5
Wreath Wire = $5
Bow = $3
Decorative Pinecones = $.59
Decorative Berries = $.59
Branches from the Evergreen= free
We had a lot of fun making the wreath together and being goofy. It felt good to make save a little money and make a pretty wreath.

This is date 37 out of 52 for us. Go to Simply Modern Mom to join in on the fun.

The Santa Photo Debacle

It was a cold blustery day when we took the kids to visit Santa. They were dressed in their Christmas best. As we approached the big guy in red, Davey started to yell, "No, no, no!" Dave and I looked at each other and decided we would try lunch first and then go back to meet the man in red.

Their tummies were full of chips and subs as we attempted to meet Saint Nick again. This time he was out to lunch.

We shopped for a while till Santa returned. Davey was still not very happy to meet Santa. We bribed him with a candy cane. He was easy to convince to sit on Santa's lap. The kids got their photos taken. The photo was ok. Nothing great but at least Davey didn't look terrified. We brought 4 5x7s, CD, and a gift card for photo services. As we walk away, Dave says, "I wonder what happens if the disc doesn't burn properly."

Do you see where this story is going? Yup, the disc did not burn properly. I returned to the mall the next day, hoping and praying the photo was saved to the hard drive and they could burn another copy. At last, the photo was gone. The photo elves did say I could bring the kids back and take another photo. They would also give us another photo package for free. I almost cried. The thought of going through all the trouble and tears again was too much.

I washed their outfits and returned to the mall 2 days later. It was a totally different experience. Davey seemed happy to see Santa. He waved to him as soon as he saw him. No one was crying, not even me. The kids sat on Santa's lap once more. The photo came out even better. Sometimes things work out for the best. Bribing the kids with ice cream seems to be more effective too.

Is my hair turning gray?

My 5 year daughter gets off the bus upset. Here's how the conversation went:

Me: What's the matter?

Caitlin: I'm upset and angry.

Me: Why?

Caitlin: Mary is blowing kissing to Neil on the playground. What if Neil starts liking Mary? Then I'll never get married!

I swear I can feel my hair turning gray.

The Annual Christmas Tree Photo

The annual Christmas tree photo.

Join the year long challenge of getting yourself in the photo at Forever in Blue Jeans. You won't regret it. This is 41/52 for me.

Sweet Gingerbread Legs

Be sure to head over to see what all the other cool kids are wearing at Feet Off the Table. Check out more wordless at 5 Minutes for Mom, Momspective, A Beautiful Mess and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.

Joyful Dancing and a Carefree Lunch

We turned on the Christmas music this week. The kids had a blast dancing around.
The joyful dancing and unprompted kisses make me happy.
Be sure to go Leigh vs Laundry to see more photos that are bound to make you happy.

We started a babysitting exchange with a couple of our friends. We babysit their two kids and in return they babysit ours. We started the exchange this week. Dave and I took advantage of the free babysitting and went out to lunch by ourselves. We went to one of our favorite restaurants which is always way more relaxing without the kids. We also did a little Christmas shopping. It is so nice to check a couple more people off our shopping list. We totally enjoyed our first babysitting exchange. We plan on doing this 1-2 times a month.

I highly suggest trying to set an exchange up. We have started out by babysitting for 2 hours at a time to make sure the kids didn't freak out. Neither of our kids have been babysat by anyone other than family. We have been in a playgroup with each other for years, so the kids and moms know each other pretty well.

This is date 36 out of 52 for us. Go to Simply Modern Mom to join in on the fun.

A Little Too Honest

You know when you feel cute.

You have a new shirt on.

You let someone take your photo.

Then your 5 year old daughter says, "Know why Santa has a big belly?"

You say, "No. Why?"

She says, "Because you have a big belly."

Five year olds may be truthful but they are not good for one's self-esteem.

Fitness Friday is Back!

I haven't post a Fitness Friday in a while because it was a little depressing to do. I've fallen off the fitness and nutrition bandwagon a bit. Today is as good a day as any to start taking control again. I am vowing to exercise everyday in the month of December. I plan on doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred a lot. I can't manage to do it every day but I plan on 3-4 times a week. I will also try to jog, do other Jillian Michael's DVDs, and a low impact activity on my resting day.

The 30 Minute Shred is great to do by itself on days when I am short on time. Yesterday I would usually have skipped a workout between volunteering at Caitlin's school and work but I forced myself to do the Shred after the kids went to bed. I felt great about doing that although Jillian kicked my butt during the Shred.

I am also going to try to control my diet again. I spent 2 weeks trying a gluten free diet to see if it would help with my Hashimoto's. It didn't seem to make much of a difference or at least not enough to continue to eat gluten free. Although this is a super hard time of the year to lose weight I'm going to give it a shot. I plan on tracking my calories and eating a healthy well balanced diet. More salad and less cookies is my new motto. Wish me luck.

The Almost Christmas Card Photo

We took the kids to see the Nutcracker last weekend. My FIL took this pic of us. I thought of using it for our Christmas cards but I kind of have that deer caught in the headlights look. But since Davey's face plant, we may have to use it. I'm thinking the matching outfits may be a little too much too. It seemed like a good idea when I ordered them.

Join the year long challenge of getting yourself in the photo at Forever in Blue Jeans. You won't regret it. This is 40/52 for me.

Getting Ready for Christmas Photos

Caitlin looks great in her Christmas dress.

But she did paint the back of her brother's neck with "washable" ink. This is after scrubbing repeatedly.

And Davey did a face plant in the driveway yesterday. Photos should be interesting this year.

Be sure to head over to see what all the other cool kids are wearing at Feet Off the Table. Check out more wordless at 5 Minutes for Mom, Momspective, A Beautiful Mess and Wordless Wednesday for more wordless photos.