She's Just Being Miley...

Our Gracie turned 7 in December, and as an early birthday present/reward for her exceptional performance in the 1st Grade, I took her to see the Miley Cyrus concert. Gracie reminded me this week that I had never put those pictures up on my blog.... so here they are.

I knew that this being the "Miley Cyrus Tour" we could except more Miley versus her "Hannah" alter ego from the TV show. I debated a while before getting the tickets since "Miley" gets mixed reviews from parents... but I ultimately decided that with the tour being sponsored by Wal-Mart that Miley would probably be on good behavior and that Gracie would enjoy it and see it as a real treat - and of course, she did.

I'd sum up the show by saying that Gracie loved it, and I thought it was okay - but unfortunately a bit more "Brittany Spears" than I would have hoped for. But, I was relieved to see that Miley kept her chest covered, although she was very proud to show off her legs.... HA!

You may think I'm terrible, but I specifically didn't get Tessa a ticket because I just decided at 4 years old, she would just fidget and not sit still for the show, plus she hardly knew who Miley was, and therefore wouldn't enjoy the show $40 bucks worth regardless, and based on what I saw - I was right. I was floored by the number of parents who took (and paid a minimum of $40 a ticket) for 4 and 5 year old little girls to attend the show who cried, had to be held, or slept the whole time. It was crazy...

The arena was offering several "activities" to pass the time before the show started. Gracie was very excited about her free digital picture of her and Miley together....

After the 45 minute wait for the picture, a $3.00 drink, a $10 glow stick, and a $35 t-shirt... we made it to our seats... Gracie was completely annoyed (as was the entire audience) with the opening act (who was Miley's sort of scary older brother and his band). But finally, after we arrived at 6:00, Miley took the stage at 8:30.

Luckily she did a little "Hoe Down/Thrown Down" which is Gracie's favorite... and of course, finally she whipped out Party In the USA... Gracie danced and waved her glow stick like a concert regular! HA! She got a bit annoyed with my picture taking...

So that was Miley... and Gracie certainly has gotten the $35 out of that t-shirt, as she wears it to school at least once a week!

But anyway... moving on... I had "weigh-in Wednesday" this week, and I was at 162! WOO HOO!

And I started watching the Biggest Loser of course, and this looks like it's going to be an interesting season. However, as usual, they have annoyed me right off the bat in that I thought the public weigh-in was HORRIBLE! I realize it's a "show" and they want to keep stuff new, but how awful... and totally unnecessary in my opinion.

Furthermore, then to put everyone through the pubic weigh-in, bring'em to the ranch, and not even let them unpack before sending two teams home... seriously? That's just wrong! I don't care if Bob and Jillian jumped out with the good news that there still was some hope... it was just MEAN!

I think the married couple will be interesting to watch... and so far my favorite is the biggest guy who is there with his mom (I can't remember his name), and the other mother/son team with the kid with the curly hair.

And... I am following along and participating in the "shredding" extravaganza... Amber is also doing this and has a blog group who is working at it as well. I'll have to blog more about my shredding experience soon. It's hard! I took some "before" pics (but will have to wait to share until there are "after" pics to distract you...HA!) Amber is already working on level 2! I think I'll stick with level 1 for 30 days... and go from there. I can't get all the way through it yet without stopping as it is!

January So Soon

So, we are back from Hawaii (which was beautiful and so fun - more blogging on that later). And of course, we have celebrated Christmas and New Year, and today it hardly seems possible that it has all flown by already. Not just the holiday season... but the year at large.

Here are some pics from our Christmas with Nana and Papa and Aunt Mandy... I hate to post without pics! HA!

2009... full of good things... and some bad. We had a lot of adjustments, new job, new schools, new chuch venture, new friends... and just as I thought that we had done all the adjusting we would need to do for a while... turns out there will be more in store for 2010. I anticipate that 2010 will be a year of holding my breath and hoping it all works out (much like many years before, only this time in my life at large, versus just our bank account). We have a lot to accomplish, on big and small scales. It will be interesting... and possibly a little scary.


And speaking of interesting and scary, I have taken some excellent advice, and to kick off 2010 I have put myself back on the nursing school track - complete with plans to actually finally go! This spring I will be taking the last pre-req class necessary for me to actually start. The program starts in July... and there are SEVERAL things that will need to fall into place in order for this to work out. Otherwise, I may have to opt for the three-year plan versus the two-year... but regardless, this time, I'M GOING!

Also in store sooner than later will be the drama of (for the last time) taking a pacifier away from a child. Tanner will be 3 in March, and like his sisters, loves the "Nah." He doesn't just like one - he likes two - one to hold in his hand, and one to stick in his mouth. Yes, yes, I know... we should have done it earlier... but well, I didn't... so there.


On top of that, we have Potty Training in store for us by spring. It went pretty smoothly with both of my girls, but I am also a firm believer in waiting until they are ready, versus deciding it is time because someone else tells you that it is. None of those people with all the opinions have to deal with the mess and the drama, and you do... I haven't trained a boy, and am wondering how much different it'll be... I see a Spiderman Potty Seat in our future.





And last, but not least (or sort of least), I am starting off the year at 163 pounds! That's right! I managed to get through my vacation AND the holidays without gaining back what I had lost and even losing a little more! I didn't "deprive" myself necessarily, but I made an effort, and was SO FREAKIN EXCITED to see that on the scale. My next goal is 155, which I'd like to see by my birthday, in 7 weeks. Truthfully, I hope to see 150 in 7 weeks, but I won't push it.


I have solicited the help of Gillian and her "OMG, hurts like hell - 30 Day Shred" video to assist me in the next phase. And I'm so excited about the new Biggest Loser starting up. They didn't waste any time did they? I was thrilled to see Danny win last season. He was my fav... and I was incredibly proud of Amanda, who I thought looked great - although her whiny attitude really got on my nerves. HA!

So Happy New Year, friends! I hope 2010 brings many blessings your way.