Wes had a great dental appointment.  He hadn't had any xrays in a year and a half due to his braces and got some today and things look great. He also got a great cleaning for the first time without braces.  He will have to have his wisdom teeth removed in a couple of years.  I told him his mouth had cost us a lot of money, lol. He thinks he's worth it and I agree.


Ty and Wes did some cleaning and math and I got a walk in early this morning with Tucker.  I was extra tired today so took it easy doing some online work that needed to be done.  I didn't get to the closet cleaning but that will be waiting for me Saturday.


I've said a few days earlier I'm reading a book called Breathe and have been thinking about slowing down and making time to listen to God and be led by his plans for me, not mine or others'.  Tucker provided me a chance to practice on our walk.  He found some of his favorite type of grass and wanted to indulge in a morning feast.  I was impatient, wanting to walk so I could get my day going. Then I thought, "Maybe this is the Father's serendipity to me, a chance to BREATHE."  So I did.  We stopped for about 5 minutes.  I just relaxed, looked around, stayed still, and enjoyed watching Tucker's pleasure.  When we finally began our walk, he was more eager to walk quickly than he usually is and it honestly didn't delay the start of my day at all.


Thanks, Father, for the opportunities you send my way to practice living life abundantly.  Help me to see them, to stop and participate in them, and to just breathe in your Spirit.


Today's workout:  dog walk; Star Trainer's Cardio Party with Rob Glick; TA Meta Ab L2D7.  I can tell I'm getting stronger at the floor work, yippee!!

Wes spent the night with a buddy last night and went to see the Avengers. I'm glad he got to do that.  Tyler and I watched an old episode of Everybody Loves Raymond, lol~his choice.  


Today Tom and I worked on our final inventory list to give to several movers.  We've only gotten one quote that was frankly outrageous so I'm antsy to have that decision made.  


I picked up Wes from his friend's home and then went to the grocery while Tom took Ty to piano so he could visit some shut ins during that time.  I really need to go through the hall linen closet, sort, toss, etc. towels and linens and decide what to keep and if we need anything new. That's on my list for tomorrow~along with taking Wes to the dentist in the afternoon.  Tonight I'm taking Ty to get a haircut.  All the last minute things we need to do here so we don't feel pressured to find a new dentist, stylist, etc. asap after the move.


Tyler got his math done and Wes did some cleaning when he got home and is finishing his now.  Maddie refused to take her math book to camp this week and I can't blame her! :D


As I walked Tucker this morning (much cooler as we had thunderstorms last night)  I received a gift of talking to a neighbor and seeing a beautiful deer.  I love the quiet morning walks.  I just sense God then and it seems that others walking at that time are less harried and rushed, for some reason.  So today I thank you Father for the gift of walking.  Sometimes it's the simplest things that lead to the most profound feelings of your grace, it seems.


Today's workout:  Jessica Smith 10 PD Cardio Abs:  Total Body Ab Transformer (fancy name for 30 minutes of cardio and weight training intervals.  It has burpees in there and I have a love/hate relationship with those things).:D  Also my mile walk with the pooch.

I feel like the part of Dr. Seuss' book Oh the Places You'll Go where they talk about being at the waiting place.   Ty's friend Garrison was in from Chattanooga for the afternoon and I'm waiting for his mom to get back with Ty and Garrison.  I'm waiting for the new pastor to come see the house.  I'm waiting for Tom to get back with Wes from fixing sandwiches for a ministry our church participates in with other churches.  I'm waiting for Tucker to quit crying because he's out in the hot back yard and not in the cool house!  Just waiting.  The word for the day.  And, often, the word I least like to hear from the Father.  


When I realize a need I want it met now.  When I realize an area of growth I want to be fully mature now.  When I have an area of pain I want it gone now.  But God's way more into character than comfort and that often is the result of waiting.  And seeking.  And praying.


So thanks for the waiting day, Father.  Slow me down more often so I have time to just be with you.


Today's workout:  Kari Anderson Sweat Express II, 25 minutes; TA Meta Ab L2D6; 1 mile dog walk with Tucker at 7:30 (at which point we already had 89% humidity, yuck).

No BBQ for us!  We spent the day getting the parsonage ready for the new pastor to come tomorrow to see it at 3pm.  Wes went to a friend's house for swimming and dinner and Ty played with a buddy so they did do something besides work.


Tomorrow the youth are helping prepare food for a ministry at 3, Tom has a funeral in Marietta at 11, and the new pastor will be here around 3:30.  The good news is we have a gift card to Steak and Shake so we get to eat dinner out after all of that.


The boys also have to start back with their math work tomorrow~bet they're happy about that!!


Today's workout:  Dance Off the Inches Sizzling Salsa; TA Meta Ab, L2D5; 1 mile dog walk (early this morning before the 93 degree temps set in).

Just wanted to say Thank You, Dad, and everyone who served.  I will never forget.


The Rome Braves game was hot and they lost by 10 runs but we still had a good time.  We got a ton of packing and cleaning done yesterday and Maddie and I had a nice Bible Study time.  Today Tom took the boys with him to drop Maddie off at camp and I'm simply enjoying some quiet and refuse to look at a box!  :lol


Yesterday's workout:  Firm Time Crunch Cardio, Fat Burning Blasts (alternates 4 limb cardio with higher impact bursts); TA Meta Ab L2D4.  I may do 4 days of meta until we move.  Less dread and I've still lost a bit more off my waist and hips anyway!

Here we were celebrating Wes' 16th birthday at the Mellow Mushroom.  I can't believe how big my kids have gotten!


Yesterday was HEART Co-op Field Day. We had the events in the morning and were done by 1pm but man, it was still hot!


In the afternoon(after a much needed mom 30 minute cat nap) Maddie and I ran errands. Then we opened a birthday box from my parents and brother and found tons of University of Kentucky goodies and some money. Maddie got flip flops which made her day~she loves flip flops!


Tom and the kids went to the Y for some kickboxing and basketball while I exercised and made some dinner.  I also got some inventory sheets together to send off for quotes for movers.  All in all, a busy but productive day.


Yesterday's workout:  1 mile walk with Tucker; Jen Galardi's Crunch Fat Burning Dance Party; TA Meta Ab L2D3.

Happy 16th birthday to my son Wes.  I can't believe 16 years have come and gone since he was first laid in my arms.  It was love at first sight.  The fits of crying, colic, and fears of breaking him seem like a thing of the past.  I've watched him grow into a fine young man.  A man willing to help others, try new things, and learn everything he can about God.  I'm so proud to be your mom, Wes, and can't wait to see what the next 16 years bring.


I've decided to take the week off of formal exercise.  I'm walking Tucker but that's it.  I usually feel guilty if I do this but I decided to listen to my heart, mind, and body.  Tom's home and we're packing and sorting; Wes has a birthday; tomorrow is co-op field day; Saturday is a Rome Braves Game with the church; Sunday we take Maddie to Camp Glisson and will spend the night with buddies in Blue Ridge and come home Monday.  My workouts will be waiting for me then, won't they?

P.S.  I know it's dark~taken in his room in the basement.  I'll try to post some better pictures from the Mellow Mushroom~that's where we're having dinner tonight!

The days are flying by and I am getting things done but man, oh man, it's going to be a whirlwind 30 days.  


Today I got a lot of books sorted out to get rid of and some packed up to move.  I went to the local newspaper office with Wes to get some end paper to pack with and then to Kroger to discuss getting some boxes.  The best part of my day was going to lunch at El Zarape, a favorite little Mexican restaurant, with Tom.  It had been closed for months for remodeling and I'm glad it re-opened before we moved.


This afternoon I got meatloaf in the oven (my family loves meatloaf and I don't cook it much because of my cholesterol) and then spent some time reading (I'm studying contentment) and making master lists of things to do to get ready for the move.  I wanted to share a Shakespeare quote from King Henry VI:

    "My crown is in my heart, not on my head;

    Not deck'd with diamonds or Indian stones,

    Nor to be seen; My crown is call'd content

    A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy."

Today's workout:  1 mile walk with Tucker; Petra Kolber Liquid Grooves, Awakening, Sequence II, Moving Meditation; TA Meta Ab, L2D2.

What I'm reading:  Calm My Anxious Heart:  A Woman's Guide to Finding Contentment, by Linda Dillow (  http://www.amazon.com/Calm-My-Anxious-Heart-Contentment/dp/1600061419/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337727792&sr=1-3 )

Well we got through Sunday. Our church learned officially that they're getting a new pastor at the end of June and that we're moving to Cleveland, GA.  It's a huge relief not to have to hide all that information like we've done the last 4 weeks or so.


The kids are doing okay with the upcoming transition. Wes struggles the most but he's my most "homebody."  Like his mother, he likes to settle in, live in a small town, and stay put.  But God has plans for people like us to have us step out into the adventure that he calls us to experience.


Cleveland is nestled in the north Georgia mountains and is a smaller community. We already experienced that at Blue Ridge and are excited about going back to that environment.  The youth group looks like it will be a great place for Tom and he'll have a youth pastor and music minister to do ministry alongside so he's looking forward to that.


What we're not looking forward to is saying goodbye to good friend and packing our home again.  But God is faithful and I can honestly say every time we've moved it's been a pleasure and we've learned new things and had our hearts expanded with the love of new people.


So, pray for our family as you think of it. And, stay tuned to hear more about our family on this wild ride of faith.


Today's workout:  Firm Cardio Dance Fusion; TA Meta Ab L2D1; Dog Walk

The children all finished their end of year reports by Friday. We spent a good part of Friday getting Tyler and Tom out of the house for their camping trip.  Tom will be back this evening and Tyler will come back tomorrow.  Wes, Maddie, and I rented Mr. Popper's Penguins from Redbox and enjoyed that last night.  


Today Maddie and I went shopping for some shoes and last minute toiletry needs for Camp Glisson.  She'll be leaving next Sunday, hard to believe.  We also had a Mother/Daughter date at the world famous BK Lounge (also known as Burger King) and went over our Esther Bible Study together.  That was lots of fun.


Friday's workout:  Firm Cardio Sculpt Blaster; TA Meta Ab, L1D10, yippee.  On to Level 2 on Monday. Total inches lost from 10 days of this workout?  1/2" off the waist and 1/4" off my hips.  That little pixie is onto something, lol.   I also walked Tucker.


Today's workout:  Ellen Barrett Power Fusion.  Such a favorite of mine and so complementary to Tracy Anderson's lower body work.  

I've been home all day (except for a run to the store) and it just feels so darn good!  Tom and Ty are camping tomorrow night and most of Saturday with his troop so we'll be busy getting ready for that as well.  


Today Ty was up by 8am, as usual.  Maddie and Wes crawled out of bed closer to 11am, LOL.  BUT, they did do their math and Ty did his math and grammar synopsis for the year without any complaining, right off the bat.  Their story is if I let them sleep until 11 during the school year they'd do the same thing. Too funny.


Today's workout:  1.5 mile walk with Tucker about 7:40.  It's so much nicer to walk when it's 60 than when it's 80.  Then I did Firm Cardio Dance Slimdown and TA Meta Ab L1D9.  Tomorrow I finish the first level!!

Yes, it's that happy time of year when soccer is done for the season.  Now if I could just get Tyler to quit making silly faces in all his pictures....


Whew, it's been busy.  Yesterday I took Wes to the ortho to get his impressions for his removable retainers he will wear at night.  He actually has a small, permanent retainer on the back of his front upper teeth, from what Wes said.  Tom and I also attended a combined United Methodist Men and Women dinner.


Today I had a general doctor's appointment.  I have TOTAL doctor phobia.  It's so embarrassing, having a ton of nurses and other medical people in my family.  My resting pulse is always in the upper 50s/low 60s and my blood pressure 114-118/78, when I take it.  There my pulse will be  88 and my blood pressure 140/80.  Sigh.  I'm secretly convinced they're going to tell me I have a week to live, I guess. :p


Anyway, that was all fine.  I've lost 10+ pounds in the last 10 months and that made both my physician and I happy campers.  My weight wasn't bad but it definitely had crept up a bit.


Anyway, Maddie and Tyler had piano today and Tom took Wes to pick up his retainer. Tyler worked on the last of his year end projects.  He will definitely be done by Friday.  Wes is done and Maddie will finish tomorrow.


Tonight we have a church dinner.  I walked Tucker before leaving for piano and since it's back in the 80s now I'm glad I did.


Yesterday's workout:  30 minutes of Petra Kolber's Liquid Grooves (blend of dance, tai chi and yoga, lovely) and TA Meta Ab, L1D7.  Today's workout was Jessica Smith's 10 Pound Downs Cardio Abs, Cardio section (kickboxing and cardio mix) and TA Meta Ab L1D8.

Saturday was a crazy day.  We had a scout event for Wes, two soccer games for Tyler, and a Bible Study for Maddie.  Plus Tom had a funeral.  I was sore and still trying to get over my head cold so I took the day off of exercising.  Sunday I preached and went out to eat with the family and took that day off too.


Today I told the kids they had to write up a summary of things learned for each subject studied this year.  Wes did a great job writing about some grammar he studied~he used humor and some everyday situations to describe the things learned.  Our 180 days of school officially ends tomorrow but the kids have  until Friday to finish their essays. They will also keep daily journals and be reading the paper/current events to talk with me about daily.  And, of course, the math that wasn't done.


Tomorrow early I take Wes to get the impression for his nighttime retainer.  Tom and I have a UMM/UMW banquet tomorrow night.  Other than that I'll have a day at home.  Yay!


Today's workout:  Petra Kolber Just Dance; TA Meta Ab L1D6.


Esther:  Becoming a Woman of Beauty and Strength by Elizabeth George(http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Woman-Beauty-And-Strength/dp/0736904891/ref=tmm_pap_title_0 ) Mary Madison wanted to do a Bible Study with me, yippee!  So, she picked this one out.  We got it on Kindle since it was $7.19 and could be downloaded to both of our Kindles.  We do 5 days per week, answering the questions in a notebook, and will meet on Saturday to discuss what we learned. Isn't God awesome to allow me the privilege to learn alongside my daughter?

It's been end of school busy here.  We had a Skating End of Year homeschool party yesterday for Tyler.  Today Wes and Maddie had a park day for the middle and high school kids.  Tonight Tyler has a sleepover and tomorrow he has two soccer games. Thank goodness that's it!  We also have a funeral tomorrow and I agreed to preach for Mother's Day on Sunday.  Tuesday and the final day of school (except for math) can't come soon enough.


Workouts:  Thursday was Dance off The Inches Tummy Tone Party and TA Meta Ab L1D4; I also walked Tucker and did Squeeze Arms.


Today:  Ellen Barrett Fat Burning Pilates and TA Meta Ab L1D5; nothing else so far.  I sure hope I can get a walk with Tucker in tonight.

I still haven't been able to catch Wes long enough to get a picture of his fabulous teeth!  He's been too busy eating Doritos, chips, and Starburst. Oh well, this too shall pass.  It's all that fun food he couldn't eat for the last year and a half.  But he's grown a ton in that time and I told him it was because he had to resort to eating real food since most junk food was off limits. :p


Today it rained all day until about 3:30.  So I'm just getting ready to walk Tucker before church dinner.  We got our regular school work done and the kids ended up banding together to clean Ty's room which really needed it. Then Maddie and Tyler had piano lessons.  I'm preaching for Mother's Day on Sunday so took my work and worked on that while I waited.


Today's workout:  Denise Austin Burn Fat Fast Cardio Dance (25 minutes); Meta Abs, L1D3.  I could see improvement in my upper body strength holding me on all 4s so long and I took fewer breaks and could do the reps (she does 40 of every exercise on all 4s, it's a lot).  I think she has something making you do the same workout 10X before moving on~you get better at it and feel the accomplishment of improving.  Now I'm off to walk Tucker for a mile.

I need to post a picture of Wes soon for everyone.  His teeth look AMAZING.  It just blows me away how much they can do with orthodontics now as far as changing the structure of your teeth/mouth, etc.  He definitely has a million dollar smile (and sometimes it feels like we paid that much, lol).


So, today we got our math done and not much else. We did celebrate Wes getting his braces off by letting him choose what do do in the afternoon.  Umm, yeah, we ended up watching an episode of The Universe, no surprises there. ;)  Wes is also cat sitting so he did that and Tyler has been working on a Mario lego  creation that he made.  He's started taking on online Lego class for homeschoolers that's free. It's every Monday evening from 4-5 and he loves it. This month it's all about Mario.


After dinner tonight we walked to Long John Silvers/A&W and had root beer/root beer floats and an iced tea for me. I've not had a diet soda in over a week and feel better. I sure hope I can keep it up.  Cold turkey is the only way as I've pretty much got an addiction to them!


Today's workout:  Dance off the Inches Country Line Dance Party; Meta Abs L1D2; Dog Walk


PM workout: Squeeze Arms and Triceps; Rodney Yee Ultimate Power Yoga, restorative segment.  Lots of lovely, lovely forward bends.

Well, our computer died last week and I was fighting a nasty head cold. So, it's been over a week since I've blogged!   We're counting down the days until school is officially out for us (May 15) although we will continue to do math throughout the summer because we're not done.  Actually, I think this is a good idea because math builds on previous lessons and it's good to keep in practice. We'll also do a lot of reading and relaxing.


Today began with some sort of leak in the basement. The water got into a clean box of litter and made a mess that Wes cleaned up. We owe him big time!  Tomorrow Wes gets his braces off so we're looking forward to that for sure.


I started doing a new workout rotation. Tracy Anderson's Metamorphosis Abcentric.  You do 30 minutes of cardio (she recommends her dance which is crazy complex and high impact) and then 30 minutes of muscular structure work(body weight training mostly).  It's very creative and I really felt my body today~especially the lower body where the work is performed mostly on all 4s.  So, today I did Dance Off the Inches Dance it Off and Firm it Up (25 minutes of dance) and then Abcentric Level 1, Day 1.  (You change the muscular structure work every 10 days).  So from now own I'll be saying I did L1D1, level 1 day 1.