Guest Blogger

Please join me at  Alicia the Snowflake where I am the guest blogger today.

Children's Museum

While Eli was a Camp About Face, Ruby, David, and I had some fun of our own.  Ruby was in VBS during the mornings, but two afternoons we had some big fun. 

On Wednesday, we went to The Indianapolis Children's Museum.  Here is Ruby with "Starry Night"... made out of Jelly Bellies!

We saw a play in  the Lily Theatre for the first time-- "Snoopy".

David and Linus the Blanket had their photo taken with "Linus" the character after the show!

David munched on some Chihuly.

This is the one thing Ruby really wanted to do at the Children's Museum this time (crack me up!).

David was really old enough to enjoy PlayScape this time.  One of his favorite things to do there was eat "plant" flowers.

He also enjoyed chasing this poor toddler all over this exhibit trying to steal his lawn mover-- which he eventually got!

Of course, no visit would be complete without a ride on the carasel (Sorry, no pics.  I was too busy holding on to David very tightly while he rode a tiger!)

After the museum, we met Dad in Southport at Chick-fil-A.  We once again happened to be there on Kids' Night.  We enjoyed our chicken, playing on the playground, helping the cow make a craft (I'm so not kidding), and Ruby loved getting her face painted!

I am so thankful to David's occupational therapist who had helped us manage David's sensory problems in a way that has allowed us to go places (like the Children's Museum) again!

Chicken Pox

This girl...

 

has these spots...

in several places on her body (despite TWO immunizations!).


We've been doing a bit of this...

and trying to get her to do more of this...

and LOTS of this...

This guy was given an immunization when we found out Big Sis had Chicken Pox.  Of course, he then got a mild case, and has been Grumpy with a capital G for two days (Pay no attention to the happy smile in the photo, I was pulling out all the tricks to get that cute smile!).

So, if you need us, you know exactly where we'll be.  Home.  Under quarantine.  For what feels like forever!

Weight Loss Wednesday: Chicken Fajita Roll-ups

This week's Weight Loss Wednesday is all about recipes.  When my IC reared its ugly head, we had to make some major changes in our diet-- some for the better (no perservatives), some for the worse (real butter instead of low cal margarine).  We did learn through some trial and error that the IC diet does not have to be blah and boring.  Some of our new favorites were ones I found in the quest for IC-friendly foods.  This is one of them...

Chicken Fajita Roll ups

Ingredients:

whole wheat tortillas (I use Trader Joes or Ezekiels to meet my needs)
chicken with seasoning (we use garlic powder, garlic salt, & pepper)
shredded mozzarella
corn, warmed
black beans, warmed

Preparation: 

Cook chicken with seasoning.  If you can, grill it; it adds a depth of flavor that's definately worth the hassle!  Place on tortilla along with mozz, corn, and black beans.  Put in the microwave for 30 seconds or until cheese is melted.  Eat!

For those of you with kiddos, know this... the first time we tried this my kids were probably 3 & 7.  They complained about the black beans, and complained, and complained.  By the 3rd time we ate this they loved it.  It is now one of their favorite meals!



*Exercise update:  I finished my "hard" level EA Sports Active 6 week challenge on Sunday-- YEA!!!  Monday I began training for the Indianapolis Half-marathon.  I am walking it, but it's a start!

I Heart Faces: Water

This is a photo of my 9 year old's best friend at their school's end of the year pool party. 

Head over to I Heart Faces to cool off with some more water pictures!

WLW: I have (almost) finished the race

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  2 Timothy 4-7

A couple of months ago I started a 6 week, "medium" intensity challenge on EA Sports Active.  I completed it in just 4 weeks, felt great about it, felt real difference in how my clothes fit, and couldn't wait to start the next 6 week challenge!

I am currently 5 exercise days away from completing the "high" intensity 6 week challenge.  This time I have been plagued by unexplained pain, infection, and an allergic reation to an antibiotic.  On top of that, I just want to quit SO BAD!  I am sick of the music, I am sick of the lady's computerized voice, I'm sick of the exercises.  I WANT TO QUIT!!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4-7

But, I am called to fight the good fight.  I'm called to finish the race (or the 6 week Active challenge!).  I'm called to keep the faith.  God did not design me to be a quitter.  I can do this.

Blogiversary Winner

Yesterday was the day-- my one year blogiversay!  Which means, it's time to find out who my contest winner is...

#1 is Alicia who commented, "Yay!!!! Congratulations on a year! I am a relatively new blog friend. So I'm not sure I have a favorite. But I did love your Weight Loss Wednesday posts...which I haven't seen in a while...hint, hint ;) Big hugs to you!!!"

Thanks Alicia, I think I will make a comeback on the Weight Loss Wednesday scene, and thank you to all my faithful readers!  I love you all!

I Heart Faces: Props

This week's I Heart Faces challenge is "props".  I just love this one of David on the day of his Very Hungry Caterpillar first birthday party.  The expression is totally David as well-- slightly serious, with a laugh just waiting to burst out!

Head on over to I Heart Faces to see all the "propped" photos!

Homecoming

This guy...

is coming home today from this place...

where he has been since Sunday! 


These two...

and Mom and Dad (who apparently never have their photo taken), have missed him SO VERY MUCH!



*Sidenote:  Not a single person has sent me a message (on the Blogaversary post) about a memorable post I've done!  Which leads me to believe that 1. no one reads my blog or 2. no one likes to win a Target gift card-- oops, did I just reveal the prize;)  You still have until Tuesday!

Blogiversary

This is what the youngest member of my family looked like in July of 2010...

And this is what he looked like in July of 2011...

As much as he has changed in a year, my blog has changed very little.  BUT, I have stuck with it!  (I'm impressed!  Hopefully, you are too!)  So, to reward you for sticking with me, whether you've been with me the entire year, or this is the first post you've ever read, I have a little contest...

Leave me a message telling me which of my posts has been the most memorable to you... That's it.

The winner will be chosen randomly from those who leave comments.  If I prove savvy enough, I will use a random number generator, if not, I'll do it the old fashioned way (you know, the name-out-of-a-hat thing!).  Be sure that you leave your email address for me if I don't have it!

The winner will be chosen on my actual blogiversary-- July 19th.  Good luck!

I Heart Faces: Red, White & Blue

I love this snapshot taken of R, D, & E while we were waiting for fireworks to begin on Friday night.  (This was my best attempt to get 3 squirmy kiddos centered under "liberty").  Isn't that why being an American is so great?

Liberty:  The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life.

The freedom to complain or commend our president, the freedom to worship or not as I see fit, the freedom to have a gun in my house or not...  LIBERTY.

Thank you to all of those, past, present, and future who make liberty possible for all of us.  Happy 4th!

Test Post

This is a test to see if I can create a new post, this is only a test.

Had this been a real post you would be shocked.

*This was done by my wonderful, tech-savvy husband Jason, who figured out why blogger has not been working for me for quite some time.  Apparently, I need to actually read those Blogger Update thingies (technical term:) to know when settings have been changed!