It's Back!

Okay - so I am waayyy behind on all I've been needing to do - blogging is just one of them. And alas... here it is already - the LAST day of September. What??

So, I have not abandoned my EMME extravaganza. The hostess did get pregnant (and congrats to you, Amber), but I believe she is still hosting. However, I've been so busy keeping all the plates spinning this month, I haven't had a chance to actually check. But, I will...

In the meantime, THE BIGGEST LOSER is back! And I love that show! Last season was my first season to watch it - and originally, I didn't love it. I thought they were mean (and sometimes I think they still are), but I have developed an appreciation for it. Taking the whole "game" aspect out of it, it's a very motivational show and the constestants accomplish some great things. Thus far, this season I'm pulling for Abby. And of course, Shay...

So, on the Biggest Loser schedule, since the show comes on Tuesday nights, and I will not have a chance to watch it ever until Wednesday night - I'm having my own "Weigh In Wednesday". I started two weeks ago at 179 (still), and this week was 176. Woo Hoo!! Maybe I'll accomplish something by the end of the year and the Biggest Loser finale.

Random Updates:
I have been doing the Jazzercise (although, not as much as I would like). And it's not easy. It has been a good eye-opening experience into how much I still need to accomplish - for sure!

We're doing well... I think we're finally in the swing of the "school schedule". Gracie and Tanner are doing great - loving it. And Tessa is much better. She still complains daily about her uniform, but I did come across some Strawberry Shortcake headbands at Target last week, which matched the shoes she picked out. And she loves them! Having some accessories she is pleased with has helped ease the pain of having to put on the dreaded uniform each morning... at least a little. HA!

And we have officially committed to a new church - and are actually attending it as well. HA!

We're praying the fall is off to many great beginnings.... we'll see. And hopefully next month I can be more organized and back to more blogging. Thanks, friends, for all your sweet comments!

The Boy!

So, here is a long overdue moment to talk about Tanner!

Tanner will be officially 2 and a HALF later this month. And finally got to start back to his "school" last week. His school started later than the girls, and he was pretty bitter about it... and on top of that, the poor thing was sick the first day and had to miss.

I bought his backpack actually last year on clearance... so I've had it a while. Once I showed it to him... well, he has had it out and ready since late July. He requested it frequently, and would wear it around the house. Here he is ready to load up for school in one of his three favorite "ball shirts", and his new "race car" shoes that he has been patiently waiting to wear.

He loves his school... thank goodness. It's a sweet little preschool, and he is always referred to as a "joy to have in class". I really hope that theme continues... HA! With my job, he is in five days now. Sort of sad... he doesn't bat an eye when I leave. As soon as he's in the door..."Bye, Mamma." I even had to drag him crying from the open house. He wanted to stay and play!

Tanner had a big summer.... and wanted to spend all of it in the pool! "Pool Today?" I heard that every morning. He took right to swimming, and was jumping off the diving board before I could even try to stop him. He puts his face in the water and everything, and was just itching to ditch those floaties. His fearless attitude would either impress the other pool members or make them think I was crazy.

And he is also very into music these days. He loves to drum, and will make a drum out of anything that can bang, or be banged on... which as you can imagine, is a wide variety of things. We also learned what an IPOD is... and that Daddy is not a fan of Hannah Montana, but Tanner kind of liked her - especially the "Hoe Down" song.

In addition to him joining Tessa for the super hero kick this summer... he has really embraced the whole "car" thing. He loves his cars, lines them up on his bed, and likes to sleep with his trucks. He will also call specialty vehicles to your attention... with his favorite thing to point out being a fire truck. Between the fire trucks, school buses, and passing Chick-Fil-A... there is never a dull moment with Tanner in the car. He will also let you know if you should be stopping or going at the light... and he's sort of bossy about it! HA!

And of course, unlike either of his sisters at this age, he loves to have his picture taken... and any time he finds something he deems worthy of snap shot, he will let you know or just bring you the camera.

He felt very strongly that we get a shot of him in this Krispy Kreme hat. A friend had brought us these donuts that day... when we get donuts, we usually do Shipley. And so Tanner wasn't used to the donuts coming with a new hat. Big fun.

And with so much for him to do and be excited about... he does usually sleep pretty good. Although, he has taken a new liking to climbing into our bed around 4:00 AM, and literally shoving me over. "Max Ruby, Mamma," he'll say... requesting I flip the TV on to his favorite show (well, next to "Dora Boots" HA!)

He is, like the other two, growing up too fast... This last week we sold the last of our "baby" stuff at a consignment sale. We parted with several things that made it through almost seven years and three babies... hard to believe. I had a friend post on FB the other day, "Parenting: What else makes you so sad to watch go by, while being so rewarding."

And speaking of rewarding, our next major milestone project on the horizon where The Boy will be concerned is Potty Training - and I'm afraid... very afraid.

"When I grow up I want to be a little boy," Joseph Heller

A Moment To Remember...

Today was my day off. And it was lovely… I’ve had a bit of time to “regroup”, and will get one more day to do so next week as well. I have to work one weekend every five or six weeks, and am granted a day off before and after.

So, this morning after kissing everyone good-bye for the day, I ate my breakfast in peace and flipped on GMA to see what the world was up to via Charlie and Diane… and on this sad anniversary, as many others I’m sure, I could not help but reflect on where I was this day, eight years ago.

I had a very different life eight years ago. I was a secretary at a law firm – with no kids. I didn’t watch the news in the morning. Instead I watched Designing Women on Lifetime while I got dressed for work. I headed off - late, as usual - with my typical morning-drive company, Heather and DC. As I pulled on to I-630 and began to try to plug into what they were saying I realized, Heather was crying. This wasn’t funny – something was wrong. I listened all the way work… trying to figure out what had happened. They kept talking about New York, airplanes, Twin Towers… could this be an accident, or not…

When I arrived at work, my coworkers filled in the gaps… Everyone on my floor was gathered around a small T.V. in one of the attorney’s offices. We watched in silence, listening for some sort of explanation that wasn’t coming. We heard all air traffic had been grounded and a panicked mood took over. The managing partner closed the office for the day – sent everyone home. So within an hour of leaving home, I was back… glued to the TV, watching in disbelief…

Of course, we were never the same… and along with the fear and outrage that came post 9/11 – I also remember that sweet spirit of “humanity” our country seemed to suddenly have for one another. Compassion, kindness, understanding – all in abundance. We saw the world differently now … and had hearts more likely to serve and love than to judge and hate. We looked out for one another… we cared!

Of course, I'm not saying that spirit is not there now... but today, as we partake in political drama that gets downright hateful, navigate heated debates and difficult decisions about healthcare and the economy, and any of the other umpteen hundred items we could disagree on…. here is to hoping that this date serves not only as a reminder of our sorrows and suffering, but of our ability to recover and to move forward.

“Let us remember how we came together as one nation, as one people, as Americans, united not only in our grief, but in our resolve to stand with one another, to stand up for the country we all love". President Obama, from the Pentagon 09/11/2009.

And on a random side note, but along the lines of that serving spirit – you must watch this Oprah Video where she spotlights Dr. Dan and Suzie Bell, from Eureka Springs, AR. Heroes in Hard Times. This couple has started a free medical clinical in their town… Dr. Oz pays them a visit. It’s great.