I love that the Christmas season is almost here. I love that sticking together as families, members of the Body of Christ, and friends, brings such joy!  And, I just love snowmen! <3

So this year I've decided to rejoice in Jesus, celebrate all the small and large miracles in my life, and not worry about presents, food, money spent, etc.  None of that matters in light of the greatest gifts I've been given.  I get to see and be with family for yet another year and experience true worship with the Body of Christ. THAT is truly something to celebrate!

Maddie had a basketball game last night and one on Friday and we're doing school, youth group and Bible Study, volunteer work, and piano in the mix. And taking the time to talk, pray, and laugh together.  

Workouts:  Tuesday was Firm Cardio Sculpt Fusion (light weights, pilates, yoga, and cardio)~just lovely.

Today:  Ellen Barrett Grace and Gusto (standing and floor pilates and ballet moves with a light cardio effect); Dog Walk.

My week last week wasn't as planned.  I was sick almost all week. But, I watched some documentaries, slept, prayed, and, in general, waited for my body to heal.  Today I feel better and am so grateful for my normally good health.

The kids and I did a fun project for school.  We talked about names for the Civil War and causes of the war.  Then they each wrote an article for a newspaper choosing a name for the war and a point of view to talk about why the war was coming. They did a great job.

I got my grocery shopping done and Wes and I walked Tucker on a short jaunt.  All in all, I feel blessed to have some normalcy back in my life.

Oh, and random cuteness of the day. When my kids were little I think my trees looked a teeny bit like this as the loved to "help" decorate.  When I have had a puppy or kitten around, it was the opposite~most of the ornaments up high, lol.

Today's workout:  Powerfit Legs and Shoulders and Powerfit Harmony Cardio, Move it!; Dog Walk

P.S.  I updated the blog color to reflect the coming Christmas season!

I am grateful for many things.  Family, Friends, Health, Fitness.  Books, Pets My Husband,, Kids I get to live my life with day by day.  Iced Coffee, Dark Chocolate and Pizza (my favorite splurge food). Great Movies, like Gone with The Wind, on nights like this when I'm stuffy and have a hard time sleeping.  The Body of Christ, my Bible, Grace and Mercy.  Jesus.  For me, all thanksgiving begins and ends with Him.  

Have a blessed, Happy Thanksgiving.

I got some great workouts in and had a pretty good weekend.  Good thing I did, though~Tom got sick Thursday night and Wes got sick Friday night.  And, I got sick today.  Good thing Tyler is so cute since he gave us this cold!  And, thank goodness for Thanksgiving break week so I don't have to worry about school.

Today's workout?  Going grocery shopping with Wes. :D

Tom and I finally got our belated anniversary lunch.  We went to a new Mexican restaurant and it was quite yummy.  I had a great chicken salad and then indulged in some queso dip and tortillas. Yummy!  

Maddie woke up with Ty's head cold so she stayed home and rested while Wes went to work at the Thrift Store. Tyler and Tom picked up Ty's popcorn from his Boy Scout sales and now everyone is here, ready to call it a night. I think we're going to play cards~at least that's what Tyler says we're doing.

I'm glad next week is Thanksgiving for many reasons.  I will enjoy the rhythms of sleeping in just a bit, reading more, and not feeling pressured to go to piano, scouts, basketball, etc.  I'm praying it will be a week of rejuvenation.

Workouts:  Dog walk with Tom and Tucker before dinner; Fuse Dance Cardio Melt (barefoot cardio and light weight workout).

I want to leave you with this thought, as it's been much on my mind and heart this week.
Ephesians 4:29, New Century Version  When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need -- words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.

Thanks to my wonderful husband, Tom McElroy, for his sermon on just this passage last week.

Mary Madison has spent all day since about 11 am at the church helping them fix a big turkey dinner for tonight's church dinner. The rest of us have been running errands to get some Thanksgiving boxes ready to be picked up today.  Somehow, in between all of that, we did get lessons done and a dog walked. Will wonders never cease!

Workouts:  Tuesday:  Firm Ultimate Calorie Blaster plus bonus abs

Today~Firm Aerobic Body Shaping, cardio and weight workout; Dog Walk

Reading lists:  Well, I finished Unenchanted and Fairest, the second book in the series. The third book still hasn't been written. Gasp!  I hope it comes out soon.  I sense a kindred spirit in Chandra Hahn, the author. She likes her coffee iced, not hot(me too!) and she's a former Children's Minister (me too~although only in an assistant position for about 8 months).

I did download a couple of other free YA books to read and am thinking I'll start a new one tonight, after the Church dinner and meeting.

Here's a picture of Wes, Maddie, and Ty after last night's performance of "It's Cool in the Furnace."  Ty, of course, had to put on his macho, "I'm the king on my throne" face. :D

This is for my fabulous Father and all the men who served our country so I can enjoy freedom. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Finally, this is in celebration of 18 years of marriage to my husband, Tom.  As I said earlier:  It's not always been fun and it's not always been easy, but it's always an adventure.  I'm grateful for Tom adding laughter and joy to my life and encouraging me to be more like Christ. I truly see Jesus in him.

Today's workout:  Jessica Smith's Sole Sculpt.  45 minute high rep/low weights that challenges your cardiovascular system as well. I love her workouts and so many are free on YouTube!

What I'm reading:  Unenchanted (half way through); Trusting God by Jerry Bridges (just started this one).

Random cuteness for the day.  I almost never get Peanut to stand still for a picture.  He will, however, curl up and sleep for 20 out of 24 hours each day, lol.  Notice Gracie coming into the scene at the last minute. She was CONVINCED treats were being doled out.

Tyler had a great time on his camping trip.  Thursday and Friday were a blur getting ready for that and having piano, basketball, etc.  Wes got home and has settled back into his routine of harassing Maddie and Tyler so all is well. ;)

Workouts:  Thursday~Ellen Barrett Low Impact Cardio Strength; Doggie Walk(so glad to be able to do these again)
Friday~Firm Supercharged Sculpting; Doggie Walk
Saturday~Firm Rock Solid Cardio; Jessica Smith Cardio Mat.  No dog walk as Tom and Tucker went hiking together.

What I'm reading:  I've been reading some YA books again. Just borrowed one called Scarlette from Kindle's Lending Library. Great take on the Red Riding Hood story.  Now I'm reading one called Unenchanted.  It's sort of a fairy tale type book too but I'm not far enough into it yet to tell you much about it.

Oh, p.s. YA is Young Adult literature. Yes, I still love things like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, etc.

I'm not feeling my best today.  I am tired and didn't get enough sleep~and got up way too early. Thank the Lord for my McDonald's mixture of Coke and Diet Coke.  (Hey, don't judge me for my little vice. It keeps me sane and pleasant). :D

Tyler did not have Physics class today, thank goodness. So, he, Mary Madison and I went to the library. We hadn't done that in a while and it was fun to get new books.  Now those two are at church getting the stage ready for the children and youth production of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Firey Furnace in Sunday evening.  They also have Youth tonight and I have Bible Study.

Oh, and for all of you who know Wes well and are prone to fainting, take heed:  Wes is participating in Youth Choir. And, he tried out for a speaking part in the Easter play~and got it.  About the speaking part, he said he felt the need to push himself out of his comfort zone. About youth choir, he said he inherited his vocal skills from my Dad so he simply mutters lowly under his breath. ;)

Tomorrow my in laws are bringing Wes all the way home for me.  That's so nice because Maddie has piano and basketball practice in the afternoon. Friday afternoon Ty leaves for a weekend camp out.  Friday night I relax and breathe!!

Today's workout:  Firm Hard Core Fusion (weight and cardio intervals).

A few quick updates:

Maddie spent all day Friday in Atlanta shopping at a mall and going to her first basketball game with buddies. She had a blast.

Saturday was her birthday. The highlight was a family meal at a Mexican restaurant for lunch. We so rarely eat out that it was a treat.  

Monday Wes took off for Atlanta to help his grandparents with yard work. That's the beauty of homeschooling~he can work anywhere!  Maddie had another basketball game and we got to visit with good friends from Lavonia who were there.

And....Tyler got a haircut over the weekend!!!

Isn't the birthday girl so cute! <3

Workouts:  I've started a new rotation.   I'm such a geek and love making and following rotations.

Monday~light weights
Tuesday~cardio; abs
Wednesday~circuit workout with moderate weights
Thursday~Ellen Barrett type cardio (standing pilates/yoga moves, done with light cardio, hard to explain); abs
Friday~Sculpt with heavier weights
Saturday~cardio; abs

So far I've done:

Monday~Jessica Smith Fusion Sculpt (light weight sculpting with yoga, pilates, and kickboxing, fabulous)
Today~Firm Maximum Cardio and Ab Sculpt

The funniest story is that Jessica Smith did some of these workouts at home and put them on YouTube for free. I downloaded them onto a disc and so they're not live, polished workouts. Her small french bulldog, Peanut, showed up in this workout and chewed the edge of her mat.  I had to post this picture for her on Facebook of the hole Tucker ate in my mat when he was a puppy.  Animals can be fun, huh? ;)

I have a confession to make:  Didn't take a single picture yesterday at Trunk or Treat.  Maddie was the only one sort of dressed up much and I was more worried about getting things together for the first true Women's Bible Study last night. I'd run errands in the morning and had to take Tyler to Physics class in Clarkesville so it made for a busy day.

Today we played a bit of catch up around the house since we've been busy. Wes and Maddie usually volunteer at the Thrift Store but had the day off so that was great.  We were able to catch up on a bit of work and then treat ourselves to part of a documentary on Machu Pichu and the Inca.

Maddie has basketball practice tonight and a game tomorrow and then Saturday is her birthday. Where in the WORLD does time go? I can't believe she will be 15.  Yikes.

Workouts:  Wednesday~Firm Jiggle Free Buns and Jiggle Free Abs

Today~Firm Advanced Cardio Blast and Firm Hips, Thighs, and Abs

What I'm reading:  Some sort of YA book Tyler gave me.  Just getting started and can't remember the name, lol.