In Weighting* i know it's misspelled

I have had an epiphany today. Bear with me as I explain....When we were young I remember always wanting to have a boyfriend like everybody else. Everybody always said, " If you are looking you will never get a boyfriend, but if your not looking they seem to fall into your lap!" And pretty much that was always true....I believe that boyfriends are like "weight!" I seemed to work and work to get my baby weight off. Everyday I would count my points and feel guilty if I didn't go work-out. I was wanting to lose my weight so bad it was all I thought about. And for good reason, I didn't have any clothes because they were all too little! This past Fourth of July weekend I ate the whole time I was at my parents. I gave myself an "F" on my weight watcher attempt, as my mother-in-law puts it, on everyday this past weekend. That includes Friday-Monday!! I didn't even take running shoes to run while I was there. I decided I was going to take a break and not think about losing weight or working-out!! Well we get home and I eat like I normally do, and by golly if I didn't weigh myself today and I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight!!! This leads me to my point...Just like boyfriends fall into your lap when you are not looking, I guess my weight fell off my lap while I was not looking!! I know this sounds crazy but I had to blog about it!! I have stressed for weeks and weeks and the one week that I don't stress those last few pounds come off!! Wow......But now back to the day to day grind and stressing so I don't put those pounds back on again and get myself back in the same boat!!!!!!!!

In other news.... I thought about training to run a half marathon! Ok the key word here is "thought." Because it hasn't crossed my mind again!! :O) My sister has decided to run a full marathon in December at the St. Judes Marathon. I told her she was crazy, and that I would be waiting on her at the finish line all cool and refreshed after running my little ole' 5k!!! She is such a motivated person, but sometimes I think or I know that she loves to run because it is the only time she has for herself and the longer she runs the longer she is by herself and not chasing three boys around!!! Maybe her motivation will rub off on me and I can do a half marathon....But it will take a boat load of motivation to get me to that point.....Only if she paied me money! :O)

Ross is so fun right now. I hope he doesn't grow up thinking his name is "Bubba" because I catch myself calling him that all the time! He eats like a horse, and is already wearing 9 months clothes. Guess we could name him "Bubba" or "Hoss" if he keeps growing at this rate! I have to go buy him new clothes every two weeks it seems like!

"Yo Mom! Do I look like Bubba to you?"

(Had to post..Guess you get good shots when your camera is too slow!!!)

I thank God everyday that I have such an amazing family on both sides. I can't imagine anything any better except going to Heaven......I lost my favorite Aunt Opal this past month but WOW she lived for 96 years! Can you imagine what she has seen and how things have changed in her lifetime... I know she is dancing around in Heaven waiting on all of her family and friends to meet her there!! I was really sad that she never got to see Ross, but know that she sees him now!!! . Aunt Opal was like a grandmother to me. She kept me for several years when I was younger while my Mom taught school.

Aunt Opal, Adam, and I (visiting her in the nursing home in 2007)

I am wanting to redo my kitchen cabinets, and am trying to find the perfect color!! For some reason I want to paint them green..NO not John Deere Green but a grayish green or really light sage green.. If anybody reading this has the perfect color PLEASE HELP!! I have been searching and found some pictures of cabinets I really do like but may find it hard to match the color...

until next time,

averie

In the Kitchen

Well, I have not blogged in more than a month so I think it is time to catch up. Lately I have found myself acting as "Betty Homemaker" eventhough I might not fit the bill!! From cream cheese pound cake to my great grandmother's tomato relish I have cooked it in the past week. I have been doing good losing weight but find it hard to stay on track when I spend my spare time cooking! But I did find that if you immediately put water in the bowl you were mixing your cake mix in you won't have the opportunity to lick it clean!! But to be honest I always save a little more on the spatula so not sure the water thing is helping me out at all!!

Ross is growing like a weed. Everyday I look at him and can tell he is different. He has found his voice and tries to talk to us all the time. He actually says a form of "Momma" at times, but am sure he has no clue what he is saying but I love it anyway! I love his little smile and facial expressions. I can't complain he is a wonderful baby!

I have posted some great recipes below.....Please try them out!!
Southern Living Cream Cheese Pound Cake
1 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups flour
1/8 tsp salt
1 tbsp vanilla

Beat butter and cream cheese until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg 1 at a time, beating until combined. Combine flour and salt then add gradually to butter mixture beating on low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Pour into well greased and floured bundt pan.
Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour 40 min or until wooden pick comes clean. Cool in pan 10-15 min before removing. Let cool on wire rack.


Broccoli and Cheese Soup
1 (10oz.) pkg frozen chopped broccoli --I used fresh chopped broccoli.
2 potatoes peeled and chopped
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 tbsp margarine
5 cups water

Combine the above ingredients and cook for 30 minutes on low to medium heat.

1 (4oz.) can mushrooms
2 cans Cream of mushroom soup
1 can Rotel tomatoes with chiles
1/2 lb velveeta cheese

Add the rest of these ingredients and heat but do not boil.

Mamaw Andrews Tomato Relish

1 Gallon ripe peeled, cored, and chopped tomatoes

1 large onion chopped fine

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 tbsp salt

2 hot green peppers to taste

1 1/2 cup cider vinegar

Cook down on low fire about 1 hor and 1 1/2 hrs until boiling. Pour into sterilized jars and seal. Place jars in boiling bath of water, then easily remove. Do not tighten lids on jars or you will not get them open!!

Last week Ross, Ms. Denise, and I went to see Kennedy ( my neice). I haven't seen her since March and she has grown so much. Ross and Kennedy are exactly 8 weeks apart. Kennedy is so animated while Ross just sits back and watches. Guess that is the difference between boys and girls! This picture tells it all!!

This weekend I am finally getting the opportunity to go visit my parents. This will be one of the last few weekends we will be going to visit them in Lewisville because they are moving back home to Louisiana to be closer to my grandparents. I am really going to miss their home in Lewisville because it is so peaceful and is where Adam and I got married, but will really enjoy being closer to our other family in Louisiana. Especially during Christmas when we have to drive all over the country to see everybody.

The view from my parents windows and deck!! HOUSE FOR SALE....

until next time,

averie

WEBSTER KNOWS BEST!

For all who read my last post, it was brought to my attention that I need to check my spelling before I post. I promise as I was typing that post I got to the word embezzlement and thought "Ok, not sure how to spell this word, but I will spell check at the end and get the correct spelling!" Well, that didn't happen and I posted the blog with the worst spelling of embezzlement that was not even close. My brother-in-law made fun of me because I am supposed to be a teacher and obviously can't spell!! No excuses here.....I hate spelling, but I always check the spelling of words if I am unsure. Even if I am posting a status on facebook, I have to make sure I've spelled my words correctly!! There is nothing worse than publishing a status update or even a blog post (hehehe) and misspelling words...Spell check is my friend!!

Well, Ross and I are at my Mom's house with my sister and her gang. We are having a blast. Chrisanna and I ran this morning and I did pretty good!! I ran most of the 30 min., but was completely exhausted when we were finished. But man it's amazing how good you feel after you exercise!! I had to work extra hard today and work off the fish we ate at Doc's and the birthday cake and ice cream we had afterwards!! I have taken many great pics of our time together.....


until next time,
Averie

now time to spell check....:O)

A Change Will Do You Good

I was going through some old photos and came across pictures of Adam and I over the past three years. It is remarkable to think about how our lives have changed in 3 1/2 years. As I look back over these past few years I realize how blessed we are. When we met in 2006, I never would have thought I would get married a year later and have a baby before I was 30... It's weird to me but these last few years seem like a decade.....


2007

2008

1. Married Nov.4, 2006


2. Got a job with a so called non-profit organization, and later found out my boss was a molester and crook....(he is in prison now!) Long story.....But let's just say I am naive and gullable if anybody tells me they are a christian preacher..


3. Went back to school


4. My first teaching job in Pine Bluff...(SCAREY!!)


5. Second teaching job at a Charter school close to our home....(Naive again....Principal is now being investigated for embezzlement.....He told me he was a preacher too, but I was always suspicious of his WEIRD beliefs)


6. Ended my job at the charter school


7. Ross arrives

WOW...that does now seem like a lot of happenings, but it seems like years too me!! I guess through out our lives we experience so much, but never sit down and recall how we got to this point. We are normally so busy we don't even realize what special memories have passed us by that we will never remember...Because WE ARE TOO BUSY!! .....I say all of this because I have been really convicted lately. On Sunday, I always promise God "This week I am going to study my Bible and do my devotion every day!" and then when the week starts, I am too busy and forget my promise....Wow, how easy it is for me to sit down and type a new blog post but I can't sit down and read God's Word!! I'm feeling guilty right now.....I don't know if anyone who reads this has the same problem but know that most people including me always have the same excuse, I didn't have time!! Well, I am going to make time for the one person who gave his son, Jesus, to be brutally beaten and crucified for ME....It is so hard to imagine that He was thinking of me when he was being nailed to that cross, in pain and suffering for my selfish sins!! Isn't it AMAZING....

This post started as something totally different, but my mind was wondering!! I prayed that God would convict my heart to remind me to study my Bible...and I guess he is convicting me through this post....

For those of you who love Francine Rivers, they are making a movie based on Redeeming Love, and I can't wait!!

Last night I put Ross to bed and caught him smiling and laughing at me as I was trying to go to sleep. I picked him up and Adam and I put him between us in the bed and played with him until he got tired... I took the picture below and believe it is my favorite picture .......It is so sweet to see how Ross looks at his Daddy and just smiles!! If I am ever having a bad day or am really tired in the early mornings, his little smile makes my day so much better!!

until next time,
Averie

DaSweetZpot $25 Guest Giveaway

DaSweetZpot $25 Guest Giveaway

Bucket List

Ross at 11 weeks....I believe he is growing everyday!

I've been thinking about my bucket list and have come up with a few things that I hope to do before I die....Since my last post, I have seen so many people on TV talking about thier own bucket list. I guess everybody has a bucket list even if they don't sit down and actually write it out. As I think about things I want to do on my bucket list I have to be honest with myself and realize that some things are just not going to happen like: having a vacation home in Hawaii, inventing something and making millions, and to have dinner with Paula Deen!! So as I get back to reality I begin my Bucket List:

In no paticular order.........

1. Most important: Win many people to the Lord!!




2. Be a great CHRISTIAN mother and wife




3. Vacation to Hawaii




4. Vacation to Australia




5. Building my dream home




6. Go on a mission trip (anywhere)

MORE TO COME.............

Remember my post about Angel Food Cake and how I was addicted?? Well as you see below I am in Heaven, Strawberry Heaven!!
Ross and I this morning! I realized I don't have many pictures of us together so here is my best attempt!!

until next time,

Averie

Couch Potato

Well, I'm worn out! I decided to start couch to 5k this week, and on top of that I have been helping Adam put in levee gates. For those of you who don't know what that is, let's just say it's a lot of shoveling in the hot sun! Atleast I got a partial tan while working... and some definite arm muscles! I have posted the weekly schedule for couch to 5k below if you are interested in starting this adventure with me!..



You are to complete the running program three times a week, with a break between each day.


Week 1
-Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.


Week 2
Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.


Week 3
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following:
Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes)
Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)

Week 4
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes)
Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Week 5
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)


Week6
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)


Week 7
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).


Week 8
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).


Week 9
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).

http://www.c25k.com/

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

My motivation....


I am so excited about this couch to 5k experience. Mostly I am excited because I know the pounds start falling off when you are running. Chrisanna, my sister, has been running for years and I always get advice from her. The other day I told her it was my first day to start Couch to 5k and she told me to tell her how it went. Well, I told her it went great but needed new tennis shoes because the ones I have felt like I have 5lbs weights on my feet.. Her repy, " As you lose weight it gets easier. I can always tell if I've gained a few pounds because I am not as light." I began to think to myself, "The fatter you are the harder it is to run???" No wonder I'm so worn out after running!! So I can't use the excuse of my tennis shoes being to heavy! :O) I am really excited about running a 5k race sometime this summer ...This will be the first time in my life I have ever raced for anything....Guess when it happens I can mark it off my "bucket list." Speaking of "bucket list" I think we should all have one. I honestly don't have a list of things I want to do before I die but that is something to think about. I think I will come up with a list and post next time. This will be fun!!



Thank you Lord for this beautiful weather, and for this beautiful Earth we live on!! Happy Earth Day.....



until next time,

Averie