Tis the season...

I LOVE the Christmas season! And with the weather here in Houston getting colder and colder it only makes it feel more like the season. There have been rumors that we may see snow on Friday. I totally doubt it but it would be oh so lovely although I am sure it won’t be enough to get snowed in!

Things I love about the season:

Christmas music (I can officially listen to it without people looking at me like I am an idiot)

The smell of our real Christmas tree

Watching my mom decorate her tree (I swear she has a story for every ornament)

Wrapping presents (everything I have bought so far is already wrapped)

Spending time with family

Making memories for my kids that will last a life time

Birthdays (4 to be exact)

Getting my shopping done (it’s such a relief)

Writing my annual Christmas letter (some people would call it a brag letter but it really isn’t)

Hot coco

Wondering if my hubby did or didn’t buy my anything (he always says he isn’t,” we don’t exchange gifts remember?”, but usually has something special for me)

These are just a few of my favorite things. How about you?

Happy Thanksgiving

It’s the week of Thanksgiving and boy have I been excited for this week for a while now but for what?! We had a feast at work yesterday and I ate until I wanted to throw up, I had the left over’s today for lunch and then now I have to do it two more times on Thursday. So much for finding out I just lost another 5 pounds in this long 9 month journey I have been on! I do love this time of year though, cooler weather, good hair and Christmas decoration everywhere with music chiming in my ear. It brings a time of excitement and yet relief when it is all over.

Last year Thanksgiving morning the kids and I went to feed the homeless. We are not doing that this year and a part of me feels guilty although we have started to feed one of the homeless guys that live near us. Every time we have left over food from a restaurant we drive by and give it to him. The kids even made a Halloween treat bag for him and we took it to him with some Gatorade as well. Anyway I felt guilty for not going to feed the homeless but I signed up for the Turkey Trot 10K and it was a goal that I wanted to accomplish and for that I should not feel guilty. I am totally excited to participate is such a great event and running 6 miles on Thanksgiving, I should definitely be able to eat whatever the heck I want to right?!

I can’t believe that in 5 short weeks it will be 2010. I have started to think about my New Year’s resolution. I do have to say, one of my 2009 resolutions was to lose weight and boy did I ever, 28 pounds to be exact and I am still not done yet. I am sure another one was to pay off all my debt, that didn’t quit happen this year but that is my big goal for 2010, pay everything off to the best that I can and live by a cash basis only. Have you made a New Year’s resolution yet?

The kids are so excited that today is their Friday. They love summer breaks (Jonathan calls the weekend’s summer...weird I know and I correct him every time, something’s are just hopeless with him)! Jonathan is supposed to go on his first big hunting trip. Carlos and Jonathan plan to leave on Thanksgiving Day and return Sunday. This is the only thing Jonathan has been talking about for weeks now. While they are away, we girls are celebrating Kaela’s 13th birthday a month early. Being born on Christmas day has its disadvantages; she gets 2 for 1’s most of the time. She is inviting some friends to spend the night; we are going out to dinner, hitting up the mall and watching New Moon. She is very excited and can’t wait to open her birthday gifts from her dad and I.

Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful, joyous and full!
(hopefully I will have lots of pictures soon)

Weight and Measurements

It has been 8 weeks since I weighed and measured last. I did not anticipate 5 pounds lost. At this point I don’t feel much different from 8 weeks ago. I have been running for 11 weeks and am up to 6 miles! At this point and time my ultimate goal will be a ½ marathon which is 13 miles. I have not done much else other then run and eat less/better. So I am excited that it is still coming off! I have only 5 pounds left to go until my goal has been met and then I get to maintain it…which could be just as hard has getting if off! I won’t weigh again until the end of the year!

My results as of November 23rd:
Weight: 145 lbs
Waist: 30 inches
Lower waist: 34 inches (Below my belly button where my baby pooch is)
Hips: 40 inches
Left thigh: 23 inches
Right thigh: 23.5 inches
Left arm: 12 inches
Right arm: 12 inches

My results as of September 26th:
Weight: 150 lbs
Waist: 30.5 inches
Lower waist: 35.5 inches (Below my belly button where my baby pooch is)
Hips: 40.5 inches
Left thigh: 23.5 inches
Right thigh: 24 inches
Left arm: 12 inches
Right arm: 12 inches

My results as of July 31st:
Weight: 155 lbs
Waist: 30.5 inches
Lower waist: 35.5 inches (Below my belly button where my baby pooch is)
Hips: 41 inches
Left thigh: 23.5 inches
Right thigh: 24 inches
Left arm: 12.5 inches
Right arm: 12.5 inches

My results as of June 26th:
Weight: 158 lbs
Waist: 31 inches
Lower waist: 36 inches (Below my belly button where my baby pooch is)
Hips: 41.5 inches
Left thigh: 24 inches
Right thigh: 24 inches
Left arm: 12.5 inches
Right arm: 12.5 inches

My results as of May 8th:
Weight: 162 lbs
Waist: 31 inches
Lower waist: 35 inches (Below my belly button where my baby pooch is)
Hips: 42 inches
Left thigh: 25 inches
Right thigh: 25 inches
Left arm: 13 inches
Right arm: 13 inches

These results were done on April 4th:
Weight: 168 lbs
Waist: 33.5 inches
Lower waist: 37 inches
(Below my belly button where my baby pooch is)
Hips: 43.5 inches
Left thigh: 25.5 inches
Right thigh: 26 inches
Left arm: 13 inches
Right arm: 13 inches

Weight as of February 23rd: 173
At that point I didnt even think to measure myself.

I am a PIMster!

At the beginning of this journey I could barely get through the first mile of running. I turned and looked at my friends thinking, boy was this is a bad idea. Now 10 weeks later I am at 5 miles and I plan to up it every weekend until I can get to a ½ marathon level! Power in Motion (PIM) has been one of the best things I have done for myself. Not only did I learn how to become a runner I actually enjoy doing it. The coaches were skilled runners; most of them have completed marathons before. They helped me, encouraged me and kept me company when I really thought I needed to stop and take a breath. It has been a great experience and I would not trade it for anything. I cannot wait until spring time when they start up again! Maybe one day I will be one of the volunteer coaches cheering a new runner on and encouraging them but until then I’ll be at Memorial Park upping my miles!

First 5K - Run with the Saints

I completed my first 5K this morning! It was great, I was nervous although I could not pin point why, I have been running 3 miles for weeks now! My mom and the kids came out to cheer me on and it really was a great accomplishment! A friend and I have signed up for the Turkey Trot 10K and we have some other plans in the works for future races...it should be fun! Here are pictures:


Me, Lorraine and Caroline


Me and Audrey


My PIM Group


Start of the race


Caroline and Lorraine finishing...they finished before me!


Me finishing, I think my time was about 35 or 36 minutes.

Christmas List

Is it too early for my Christmas list? I told Carlos just the other day that I have started it...he tells me he wants nothing...I told him otherwise! Of course I dont expect to get any of these items but a girl can wish right?


Probably #1 on my list, Nike Sports Watch, it counts miles and calories, you plug it into your computer and it keeps a spreadsheet of all of your runs...oh my! I'm in love!


No I dont want to look like the Victoria's Secret model although I wouldnt mind, I love this top though in black...to die for! Or maybe its to die for because she looks so hot?!


I got the camera of my dreams and they have these really cute and neat camera straps now...super cute!


I did not get a camera bag with my camera and I really need one, anything is better then not having one.


I have loved this bike for a really long time and we sold our old bikes at our last garage sale, how dreamy is this pink bike and how cute would I look on it?

Hopefully you have started your list as well, now I need to figure out how to get my husband to read this blog! Happy Christmas shopping, I think there are less the 60 days left!

Is it just me...

or is this a little inappropriate for childrens decorations for halloween? We are thinking there might be a hole in the pot...just saying!