Somethings Gotta Go

ItsOverflowing

2011-10-07T21:51:00.002-05:00

For years I blogged at itsoverflowing.blogspot.com. I took a couple years off so I could focus on figuring out homeschooling. We've found a rhythm now with homeschooling and I thought this site would be a fun fresh start. But, I really really miss MY blog so....I'm back at it! This time a little less family journalism and a little more variety...house projects, crafty projects, fun deals, a bit of family stuff...and such...we'll see where the conversation goes...visit me at itsoverflowing.blogspot.com. I'll be expecting you!!!!

Memorize Psalm 100

2011-10-05T15:22:00.001-05:00

Our sweet friends challenged their Sunday School class last year to memorize Psalm 100 by reciting the passage 100 times by Thanksgiving! We joined them last year and as a family memorized Psalm 100, too.

The campaign has spread and this year, the children's ministry at our church is providing families with tools to take home to help with the memorization process. During family worship on Sunday, the kids were reminded that their parents have lots on their minds, so they can be the biggest resource for their parents in helping the entire family learn the passage!

Today is October 5th and Thanksgiving is just 50 days away...if you want to join our family this year, start today and between now and November 24th, together as a family repeat aloud Psalm 100 together twice a day!!!

I found the above poster available in a free pdf file if you'd like to print out a graphic to help your family keep Psalm 100...visible through Thanksgiving! Here's the link to Starlight Writer if you'd like to visit...seems like a sweet blog.

Moore Wisdom

2011-10-04T15:25:00.000-05:00

Living Proof Live Simulcast Lubbock TX from David Lowe on Vimeo.

I have several mentors, but Beth Moore is one of my favorite! Her love for the Word of God, her vulnerability of how much she needs the Cross and Jesus, and the way she submits herself before God in humbleness on her knees has combined to guide me in areas of my life that I never knew needed growth!

Having spent hours in bible study with Beth, it was AWESOME to see her face to face! There was laughter and tears as Beth covered every spectrum of emotion so genuinely! The worship was INCREDIBLE! Her emphasis was 'We were created for good company!' Sitting closely to my sister-in-law and mother-in-law, I was reminded what a huge blessing it is that God not only gave me my wonderful husband, but also had an precious gift for me in his family!

Halloween Wreath

2011-10-03T17:32:00.000-05:00

I love Thrifty Decor Chick's blog and after seeing this on her site I had to try it myself! I used a 40% coupon on Hobby Lobby's website (just showed them the coupon on my iPhone and they gave me my discount). Love that!

12 inch styrofoam wreath - $2.39 with coupon.

Target has black duct tape for $3ish at Target. And I grabbed candy corns at the same time...a large package was $2. I grabbed 2 bags which was perfect, an extra half of a bag was left to give us a sugar high!

My trusty hot glue gun...it was my mom's years ago. I inherited (forever borrowed) it in college. As long as you make sure each row the candy corn flips the opposite direction, its all good. How long did it take!?!? The length of one good Gigi and Me phone conversation!

Finish with a quick coat of polyurethane - I found some in our garage...then let it dry for about an hour.

We're ready for Trick or Treaters!

Cub Scouts Popcorn

2011-10-03T05:00:00.000-05:00

Following church, Brady spent some time raising funds for his troop. It was so cute to watch him introduce himself and ask for business as cars pulled over to contribute. I LOVE that our neighbors were so generous with their time and money for my little cub scout!!!

If you'd like to purchase popcorn, call or email Brady, via me!

I, Brady, promise

to DO MY BEST
To do my DUTY to GOD
And my Country
To HELP other people, and
To OBEY the LAW of the Pack

Sunday PAPER: Paper Dudes

2011-10-02T21:18:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another week of Sunday PAPER!

This was our 4th week as 1st grade boys' Sunday school teachers. Good times.

ice breaker - check
music - check
open bible - check (all 14 of them)
"God's Word is always true and everything in it really happened!"
lesson - check
prayer - check
closing activity - check
paper folding activity - CHECK!!!
parent pick up - check

We're starting to find our groove with the kids. Although, their energy totally needs to be bottled and sold!!! Since the topic was serving others, one major emphasis for the boys was caring for others. Paper Dudes became our folding project. This will take you back! I'll include some pictures below so you can try this at home with your little dudes and dudettes!

FIRST: Fold the paper in half, length-wise. Use the fold line to cut the paper into two equal sheets. You'll just need one of the sheets.

SECOND: Fold the sheet in half width-wise until corners meet. Crease and then open up and use middle line to guide the paper into an accordion shape, with four equal parts. Now draw the dude or dudette on the paper. Cut around the sketch, being sure to leave the hands intact...NO CUTS ALONG EDGE OF HANDS!

THIRD: Open and you'll have four friends to color and appreciate. Hopefully a good reminder Joseph and how he was loving to his brothers even after they were cruel to him because he knew that wherever he had gone, God had been with him!!!

Plans for My Pumpkins

2011-10-01T20:20:00.000-05:00

The weather is finally starting to cool down...following way too many days in the triple digits this summer! So many triple digits that we set a new record...that's not the kind of record I ever want to set again! Along with the changing of seasons, it's time to mark the calendar with our family's favorite outings and work on my to do list!!! In high school, I use to laugh at one of my mom's friends for saying that she'd just go crazy without her calendar...I have become Jane...my calendar is my best friend!

OUTINGS/EVENTS

State Fair Over Texas
Niece's Birthday
Pumpkin Patch in the Evening
Carve Pumpkins
Chili Cooking Contest
Family Camping Trip (?)

TO DO

Garage Sale or Goodwill - Still Not Sure
Prune and Pull Shrubs in Front Yard
Bake Pumpkin Yummies
Find Last Few Halloween Costume Accessories
Pick Out Christmas Card Outfits for the Family
Schedule Outdoor Family Photo Shoot

A Little Charm

2011-09-30T22:41:00.000-05:00

Still in transition but, it's starting to feel like home.

Flashback Fridays show our Something's Gotta Go projects!

LARGE LOT: BEFORE

LARGE LOT: AFTER

FRONT OF HOUSE: BEFORE

FRONT OF HOUSE: AFTER

ENTRY: BEFORE

ENTRY: AFTER

DINING ROOM/PIANO ROOM: BEFORE

DINING ROOM/PIANO ROOM: AFTER

FAMILY ROOM: BEFORE

FAMILY ROOM: AFTER

KITCHEN: BEFORE

KITCHEN AFTER

LAUNDRY ROOM: BEFORE

LAUNDRY ROOM: AFTER

MASTER BEDROOM: BEFORE

MASTER BEDROOM: AFTER

BEDROOM 2: BEFORE

MASTER BATH: BEFORE

MASTER BATH: AFTER

BEDROOM 2:

BEDROOM 2: AFTER

BEDROOM 3: BEFORE

BEDROOM 3: AFTER

HALL BATH: BEFORE

HALL BATH: AFTER

BACK OF HOUSE: BEFORE

BACK OF HOUSE: AFTER

GARAGE: BEFORE

GARAGE: AFTER

Only Character

2011-09-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

...but the charm is yet to come!

LARGE LOT

FRONT OF HOUSE

ENTRY

FAMILY ROOM

KITCHEN

LAUNDRY ROOM

Dining/Piano Room

MASTER BEDROOM

MASTER BATHROOM

BEDROOM 2

BEDROOM 3

HALL BATHROOM

GARAGE

PATIO

BACK OF HOUSE

BACKYARD

GARAGE

SOLD

2011-09-28T18:06:00.001-05:00

FINALLY it happened! After many attempts by our realtor to lower our price, after tons of no shows and tons of showings where we left the house so the prospective buyer could look (snoop) around, after countless times of being told, "it only takes one," after Halloween, Thanksgiving, Bennett's birthday, Christmas, New Years, and finally with Spring...the one walked through the door!

The doorbell rang. For some reason, this time, I couldn't get us and our stuff in the car fast enough. I opened the door and the realtor explained who he was while I over-talked him at a ratmillion miles a minute...excuses for not getting out of his way sooner!

A little delay on my part, his words that I was speaking over...finally were absorbed. "Please stay, I'm just the buying agent and I would love to hear about your house and your neighborhood." What!?! Now I had the other side of worries...does he know what he's saying!?!? I have THREE kids that are going to be answering right beside me...and would there answers scare him away!?!?

I stayed, enjoyed a visit with a realtor that could see the updates in our home and appreciated them one after another. It was an instant connection. He explained that he had a buyer living overseas in the military and they had hired him to be their buying agent....to select the house for them to buy...sight unseen!

I would NEVER be able to trust a stranger to buy a house for me. TOTAL CRAZY for a type A person!!! However, we couldn't have been more thankful for this wonderful realtor that sold our home for nearly what we were asking...in a market that had begun to slump!!!

Pack it up...move it out...somethings gotta go!!!

Sitting On It

2011-09-27T17:23:00.000-05:00

...for six long months.

Most people have either gone through selling a house or will go through it at some point...and when you do, let me know so I can empathize with you! And by empathize I mean for both you and for your family...they'll have to live with you! I know what it's like to attempt maintaining perfection while surrounded by total chaos...it completely contradicts the harmony we all truly want in our home...but the sick side of me kind of liked the insane expectations I was permitted to keep during those long six months....I know sick, right!

WINTER

TEXAS SNOW BOOTS

MINI-SNOWSISTER

Here are my tips if your house is currently on the market currently! During the painful process of showings...

Keep a laundry basket in the family room that you can use to pile the left out toys and then throw that basket into the car with you when you leave during a no-warning showing.
Have a can of lysol so you can spray throughout the house as you walk out the door for a fresh smell when the potential buyer explores your home (I've heard freshly baked cookies is great, too...but remember I'm trying to keep in those skinny jeans).

Little Too Settled

2011-09-26T15:47:00.000-05:00

After four years of living in (and working on) our beautiful two story home with the most precious neighbors EVER....

FRONT OF HOUSE

DINING ROOM

PIANO ROOM

KITCHEN

KITCHEN NOOK

KITCHEN DESK

FAMILY ROOM

MASTER BEDROOM

MASTER BATHROOM

BEDROOM 2

HALL BATHROOM

BEDROOM 4

OFFICE CLOSET

SCHOOL ROOM

BACKYARD

...we got the itch for

more projects
a one story rancher
being closer to town
a neighborhood with more trees
wooden floors throughout our home
a house with more character and charm

Sunday PAPER: House

2011-09-25T14:40:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another week of Sunday PAPER!

This was our 3rd week to be the First grade boys' Sunday school teachers. Good times.

ice breaker - check
music - check
bible reading - check
lesson - check
prayer - check
closing activity - check
paper folding activity - CHECK!!!
parent pick up - check

This week, we put the paper out of sight of the boys and when we were ready, we grabbed enough for each boy to have one sheet! Then Lonnie lead the class in an origami lesson. In keeping with the lesson on 'WORKERS' and in theme with our ice breaker where Lonnie brought his tool belt and let the boys practice drilling screws in a board...our first in our new series of paper folding was a HOUSE...which they put a lot of effort into coloring and drawing the bricks and roof! Time went like clockwork. No puzzled looks by those passing by and the children were well mannered when the next teachers arrived. SUCCESS!

Here's the link for those who want to impress their own kids or calm their boys (at least for a few minutes). ORIGAMI HOUSE

Somethings Gotta Go

2011-09-24T15:38:00.000-05:00

This blog will hopefully motivate me to purge this house's ugly..because there's a lot of somethings gotta go at this address! Somethings gotta stay though, I'll include some of my favorite things, too.

Since orgainzation is my passion, I'll fill you in with tips on decluttering,how we save money, and our monthly menu so we don't end up splitting fajitas for one at Pappasito's every meal (although I maybe could go for that)! Speaking of eating out, I'll let you know my thoughts on maintaining healthy so my skinny jeans fit...I'm no expert, but I have a few thoughts!

I'll also post a little bit about party planning because we gotta keep life fun, too! And as a homeschool mommy, I'm with my kids all day long, I may throw in a little about that, too! We'll just have to see where the conversation goes, right!!!

So without further adieu...

Welcome to Our Home!
(Front Door's Gotta Go.)

Blog Story

2011-09-23T18:50:00.000-05:00

I started this blog a few years back when I finally decided it was time to shed the baby belly pounds, the accountability online was great! Never would I have imagined that the blog's title would have tons more significance then my overflowing muffin-top a few years later! Somethings Gotta Go is totally where we are right now...and for more reasons then me hearing my baby holler "all done with my poopie" four times a day!

Simplifying life has become a recurrent theme as we have moved into a house that pretty much needs to be gutted shortly followed by thousands of pharmaceutical reps being restructured out of a job, my hubby being one of the unlucky. My hubby landed on his feet a few weeks later with the pursuit of a new career, investment banking, aka six months of tests, each required to maintain employment, huge goals and the excitement of straight commission, and a few more tests. I'm a little bit type A in personality so I can't say going with the flow is simple for me, but every big change holds the opportunity for big growth. So, whether or not that growth is monetary, I'm choosing to let the growth opportunity spill all over me!

HUBBY & SWEET B's

Sunday PAPER: Airplane

2011-09-18T14:32:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another week of Sunday PAPER!

This was our 2nd week to be the first grade boys' sunday school teachers. Good times.

ice breaker - check
music - check
bible reading - check
lesson - check
prayer - oops, remember next week
closing activity - check
parent pick up - NOT YET!

Once again, boys began grabbing stacks of paper from the supplies area and folding this way and that....airplanes began flying from every corner of the room....lots aimed at me! No biggie, right. Boys have energy - I have two of them, I understand! We should have known by week two not to have easy access to the paper. OOPS - when people passing by peeked into our classroom at peak chaos! They looked shocked! Even BIGGER OOPS - when the next sunday school teachers came in to relieve us for the second week in a row to total chaos! Especially since that was really the only criteria we were given, please make sure the children are working on a quiet activity during the teacher transition period. Hmmm, need SOLUTION for next week!

Silence

2011-09-11T15:09:00.000-05:00

A spread of flags grace the lawn of Memorial Circle at Texas Tech. The flags represent each life lost in the September 11th attacks. (Zach Long/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

Ten years ago, my mother-in-law and I had flown to Phoenix to attend a baby shower for my sister-in-law and help with the last touches on my nephew's nursery. Lonnie called early on the 11th and told us to turn on our television. He stayed on the line but was speechless. As our eyes watched in disbelief and horror we too were completely speechless. Several days layer, in high alert, the airports reopened, and we were able to return home. And just like the rest of the nation, we had a renewed passion to pursue what was truly important in life. This year Monika, Nici and I were all together again and as Nici and I traveled back home on 9-11, the first leg of the trip neither of us had much to say as we listened to a sermon over the radio and reflected on the amazing miracles that happened in the midst of terror!
A documentary called, The Cross and the Towers follows the rescue effort after the towers fell. Many of the responders witnessed miracles that almost couldn't be explained. One rescuer said, “In the midst of the darkness, God’s light shown through.”

Sunday PAPER

2011-09-04T13:51:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another week of Sunday PAPER!

This was our FIRST week to be the 1st grade boys' sunday school teachers. Good times.

ice breaker - check
music - check
bible reading - check
lesson - check
prayer - check
closing activity - check
parent pick up - NOT YET!

Boys began grabbing stacks of paper from the supplies area and folding this way and that....airplanes began flying from every corner of the room....lots aimed at me! No biggie, right. Boys have energy, right. I have two of them, I understand! Lesson learned, we'll try to stretch the above activities a bit and maybe add an additional!

My Favorite Salad

2008-05-21T22:02:00.006-05:00

Feast or famine, right!?!? No posts forever and now here I go posting like its an obsession or something!

I had to share my favorite salad with you (thanks Ali for the recommendation). For those of you that have a nearby ChickFilA (sorry Michawn, not sure that includes you), go there and order the Southwest Chicken Salad with Light Italian dressing! Its 4 Weight Watcher points and speaking about obsessions, I'm passionate about this salad! Combine it with a small diet lemonade and you have the most perfect treat ever! (I didn't say it was cheap, I'm always shocked at how pricey ChickFilA is...I think the salad is $5 and the drink a bit over $1). Like I said, a fun treat!

Aimee's 18th - 19th Week's Update

2008-05-20T21:44:00.003-05:00

Well, last week I got onto the scale and was up .8 pounds (oops). I knew that the fine dining would catch up! Guess I'll be more purposeful in eating choices! I'm fine if I don't loose more weight, but definitely don't want to gain weight!

And, now to this week...I'm happy to share that I'm back down 1.0 pounds (that's 0.2 pound less than my previous post). I'm pretty sure I was bloated --- how embarrassing to type that! I do feel lots better eating more at home now.

I think that I'm probably finished with my weight loss, but I plan to post somewhat consistently during all of 2008 as somewhat of an accountability to stick with what I've begun! I can't believe that this has been my lifestyle for almost 6 months now!?!? Isn't that crazy! I can't believe that I use to weight 17.2 pounds more!

My neighbor, Brandi and I recently talked about going on morning walks together for some heart exercise...I need to start going to bed earlier so I can make that happen!

Aimee's 15th - 17th Week's Update

2008-05-06T21:29:00.002-05:00

I meant to post regularly, but with all my celebrating and then Lonnie's travels --- I'm forever behind! I'm at a standstill with weight. No gain/no loss. Which I'm REAL thankful for the hold on weight considering all the eating out and desserts that I've enjoyed over the last two weeks! You know the saying, a moment on the lips...a lifetime on the hips (or actually the belly for this girl). I think that my appetite has changed since back in January when I started this weight loss adventure! I've had lots of sweets and treats but I think the amount is not anything compared to how I use to indulge! I need to refocus my eating habits again...the junk I've eaten lately has been giving me lots of belly aches...no good, right!?!

New Shoes!

2008-04-16T07:20:00.006-05:00

***The first pair, the one's from Target, I'm not sure they fit my feet quite right. I love them though so I'm just contemplating! Tiffany looks super cute in them!!! We'll see!??!

Aimee's 14th Week Update

2008-04-16T06:06:00.002-05:00

I guess my body is still in loss mode. This morning when I weighed in, I had lost another 1.2 pounds. Again, I was real surprised. This puts me down a total of 17.0 pounds. If this continues I may have to lower my birthday goal weight!?!? I guess that or celebrate with a HUGE piece of cake!?!

Last week I did a little unmentionable shopping and did find going to Nordstrom's very helpful. They are very thorough in helping you find the right bra! Lonnie and the kids were there with me and I thought the kids would want to go explore...NOPE! They rotated taking turns hanging out with mom and the Nordstrom's lady in the dressing room. I have to say, Bennett would be my first pick to take with me should I take on this endeavor again, which I don't plan on it...that was a lot of work! Brady kept telling me that he liked those "Glasses" too. Or oops, I'm sitting on your "Glasses, Sorry 'bout that Mommy!" Where he got that bras are called glasses I'll never know!?!? Oh my! Belle had the sillies and I think drove the elderly lady helping us CRAZY! Belle kept trying on my bra and giggling uncontrollably! After walking around for a while, two kids at a time, Lonnie came to the intimate apparel section once again to check on me. I think the lady wanted me to try all the possibilities on again, but I had to let her know I had made my decision in a rather firm tone so I could make it up to the register and on my way to our next store. Seriously, I think I tried on bras for an hour and a half straight! Quite a marathon!

Thankfully I know the panties I like so I headed straight for Gap after the bra marathon and was in and out within like 2 minutes! I just needed a size smaller because the fabric was bunching under my clothes.

A couple days later, while Belle was at school I found a new pair of shoes at DSW and I like them a whole lot. They look Brighton-ish, even my super stylish friend Stephanie that LOVES Brighton stuff and I think I'll ask for the same pair of earrings that she got for her birthday from Brighton because they are so cute. Oops, that was a tangent! Anyways Stephanie thought my cute new shoes were Brighton. Now I think I need some more casual, everyday black shoes. I'll copy my other adorable friend Tiffany that said the other day at brunch that she found hers at Target, they are real cute and I can't wait to slip my foot into the same ones! Wonder if my troops want to do that today?!?! Nah, I already promised them we'll do school and they're rearing to go! Thankfully its almost the weekend and I bet I can sneak away and snatch them up before they are sold out...they're that cute!

Maybe I'll add pictures of my shoes to this post later today!?!? Fun idea!?!

Aimee's 13th Week Update

2008-04-08T18:42:00.004-05:00

So this week I lost just under a pound...0.8. That puts me at a total of 15.8 pounds lost. Over the next 2 1/2 weeks perhaps my body will drop 1.9 more and put me at my total goal weight for my birthday!?! That'd be fun!!! I'm just going to stick with my healthy eating habits and will let my body determine if it needs to lose more. I don't want to do anything extreme that I can't keep up with ~ that's the reason I've never dieted before ~ fear that my body's metabolism would start expecting something and the repercussions of not keeping up with it would end me at a higher weight then when I began this journey. Granted, I'm not a scientist nor a researcher so I have no evidence to back my theory!

In other news, we went to On the Border as a family and split the Chocolate Empanada Dessert (had a freebie coupon). The kids and Lonnie were digging in, smiling, licking the spoon, dish and their lips because evidently it was incredible! I refrained. Lonnie didn't understand until yesterday how I could have such self control. I don't...I'm just treated to other sweets! I continue to be obsessed with the Smart One Ice Cream Sundaes in Mint Chocolate Chip and Cookie Dough varieties! They are crazy good! I have one just about every day, topped with about a half a cup of cool whip!!! Seriously, I'm hooked! I will be begging my grandkids to bring me these when I'm in a nursing home they're that good! I think with cool whip its 3 points which isn't bad at all! And it keeps me on track...well worth the $1.50ish/2 that they cost at Target!

That leads me to two other thoughts...1. Who's leaving the freezer door open at Target and making these things defrost, get all mix up and yucky, then refreezes them!?!? Seriously this month its been about every other package. I have them in my freezer too and one of these days I'm taking them all back to exchange them...and I might even open up the new packages while I'm there to ensure I'm not getting freezer burnt dessert! 2. Which is better? Cool Whip that's Fat-Free or Cool Whip that's Light!?!? They are the same number of points (0 for a good sized serving), but I switch off each time because I can't determine which tastes better!?!? Any opinions!?!?

Aimee's 12th Week Update

2008-04-01T22:21:00.006-05:00

Can you believe it, I'm posting on my official weigh in date! It was a very FUN scale reading! I'm down the entire 15 pounds I set out to loose! Weird! I'm down 1 pound this week! A total of 15.0 pounds loss over the last 12 weeks! I'm loving the loss although I think I only hope to loose 2.7 pounds...and hopefully that can happen by my birthday, April 27!?!

The funniest thing about this weight loss is the places that weight drops! Today I realized my shoes are fitting differently...yep, they're too big! I think I've lost some of the chub on my feet! Now if that's not strange, I don't know what is! Do you think I can talk Lonnie into some major clothes money for my birthday!?!? That and all the other things on my wish list!??! Hmm, I better start thinking about that...afterall, my birthday is only 3 1/2 weeks away! Yippee!

Aimee's 10th & 11th Week Update

2008-03-26T13:47:00.003-05:00

Alright, so I've been a little laxed on my posts this month! Sorry to my one reader (Holly :)) I'll try to be better! Thankfully I wrote the numbers down on my weigh in day or I'd never be able to recall them! Week 10: I lost .6 of a pound and Week 11: I lost .4 of a pound! Surprisingly the results continue going in the right direction! So as of the end of my 11th week dieting, I am down a total of 14.1 pounds!

I was asked if at this point I can tell a difference and the answer is an astounding YES! I have dropped two sizes in pants/shorts...and my shirts seem to be fitting much better (I think I was wearing things a bit too tight before...oops)! My underclothes have required changes as well...panties down a size and bra down a size--- in the rib size (I think that I should be wearing a smaller cup, too but the lady at GAP body swore this the right size!?!?!--- Ali was fitted at Nordstroms a while back and was totally impressed so someday when I'm without three curious children, I may venture that way!) Anyone available to join me?!!? Needless to say, weight loss is expensive, not because of the plan, but because of the need to recycle to new clothes.

Last night as Lonnie and I were hitting the sack, I told him that a drawer in my dresser was being loaded with clothes that are a bit big in case I put the weight back on. To which he replied...I don't think you'll need them again. And I said, I just hear that people often put their fat back on after the diet ends. To that...Lonnie told me that he doesn't think I'll get fat again. I flashed a look! Oops, double oops! He knew he'd stepped in it! All he could do was laugh and say that's not what he meant! It wasn't, neither of us think that I was "fat" before, just not as healthy as I am right now. Anyways I thought you'd appreciate that one so I figured I'd share!

As this point I'm continue to eat much less than I did a few months back (most people that diet say they didn't eat all that much before, I'm totally the opposite, I really did use to eat a lot--- way too much), and the snacks that I indulge in are things like, fat-free & sugar-free JELLO and Pudding (often topped with light Cool Whip), fruit, wheat thins with laughing cow, low point popcorn, and other low point/healthy alternatives. I am still hoping to coast down at least 1 more pound, but my vain girlish side would LOVE to loose 4 more pounds!?!? We'll see! I think I'll have to refocus and recommit to the fine print of the weight watchers diet if I am going to loose that much more!

I'll continue to post and update...I'll try to be more consistent!

Mexican Soup

2008-03-19T13:27:00.008-05:00

makes 12 cups / zero points

6 cups vegetable broth (I used 6 cups water and Better Than Bouillon)
14 ounces canned diced tomato, Mexican-style preferred
2 cups fresh green beans (start with 8 ounces, then trim and snap into bite-size pieces)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 small zucchini (about 8 ounces before trimming)
1 cup tomatillo, cubed (start with about 4 ounces or 2 medium tomatillos)
1 medium jalapeño, membranes and seeds removed, minced
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon fresh oregano
1 teaspoon salt to taste
2 tablespoons lime juice (from 2 limes)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

OPTIONAL BUT TIME-SAVING TIP Bring the vegetable broth (or water for bouillon) to a boil in an electric tea kettle or in the microwave while prepping the vegetables.

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven on MEDIUM HIGH. Add the vegetables and spices (canned tomatoes through as oregano) as they're prepped. Add the broth when it's ready. Cover and bring to a boil. (Because I used boiling water, the soup was just starting to boil when I added the last ingredients.) Once at a boil, partly uncover the soup, reduce the heat to maintain a slow simmer and simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir in salt, lime juice and cilantro. Serve immediately.

NUTRITION ESTIMATE
Per Serving: 43 Cal (6% from Fat, 24% from Protein, 70% from Carb); 3 g Protein; 0 g Tot Fat; 0 g Sat Fat; 0 g Mono Fat; 8 g Carb; 2 g Fiber; NetCarb6; 3 g Sugar; 20 mg Calcium; 1 mg Iron; 553 mg Sodium; 0 mg Cholesterol; Weight Watchers 0 points

Aimee's 8th & 9th Week Update

2008-03-12T22:31:00.006-05:00

So, if you check out my other blog~ http://www.itsoverflowing.blogspot.com/ then you know that March 4th was my anniversary! No, I did not take my scale on our overnight date! I did stick to my plan for the most part while away, but truthfully, weight loss/maintenance wasn't much of my focus! Lonnie and I were all about having FUN together! So this Wednesday, March 12th ~ after two weeks without a checkup, I stepped on the scale again! Once again not expecting a loss, I was treated to a 1.2 pound weight loss! So here are the stats...Bennett's 5 pound prego weight lost---CHECK! ...Brady's 5 pound prego weight lost---CHECK! ...Belle's 5 pound prego weight lost---ALMOST...2.0 pounds left to reach my first goal! I'll check again next week and see where my weight is, but I definitely can tell the weight loss has slowed a lot! I think for the most part, the weight watcher food opts are still simple to follow! Once I reach the point I haven't loss, I think I'll go back to writing down my points to make sure I'm really following the plan to the tee...until then, I'm enjoying a more laxed approach!

Aimee's 7th Week Update

2008-02-27T15:54:00.005-06:00

I got onto the scale this morning and was a little surprised! Another 1.3 pounds loss this week...3.1 pounds until I've reached my first goal! Yes, I've loss 11.8 pounds over the last 7 weeks! With the tea party this week, there were lots of temptations all week long...I just tried to treat myself to a little something once a day and then wait patiently for tomorrow for another little taste! That and indulge on healthier options! Not easy, but these last few weeks of Weight Loss has lead me to becoming a huge believer of the old saying, a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips, or for me a lifetime on the belly (my trouble spot)! As I eat I try to remind myself that I don't want that sweet something sitting on my belly as an extra layer of cushion, ya know! Afterall, its almost swim season and my kids are at the perfect age to frequent the pool lots this year! You're more than welcome to join us...be sure to give us a call...we love swimming with friends! (Can you tell I'm ready for winter to be done with!?!? Is it really suppose to snow next week!?!? Seriously!)

Deal For a Little Something

2008-02-25T20:30:00.004-06:00

Victoria Secret has a swim suit (perhaps that's using the word too loosely) for $5.99 on clearance. Here's the site if you're interested, swim suit. If you use these two codes you get free shipping and a free tote ($25 value). BSEXY and SP89829. I ordered one in Khaki and a separate order for one in Turquoise...that way I can get two totes! Perhaps Lonnie and I will have to go on a little trip to an island in the next couple years...there's not a chance I'm wearing this at our neighborhood pool.

Aimee's 6th Week Update

2008-02-20T15:13:00.003-06:00

Today was a really fun weigh in! After traveling I felt swollen and had not paid close attention to what I was eating so I didn't know what to anticipate! I got onto the scale and had lost 2.1 pounds this week! After a couple slower weeks I loved to see the progress continuing! I am now at 10.5 total pounds lost!!! Bennett & Brady's baby weight is gone...Belle to go! After losing 4.4 pounds more pounds I'll reevaluate to see what I feel would be my ideal weight! It's really happening though, I would have committed to this years ago if I knew it was so manageable!

Aimee's 5th Week Update

2008-02-13T15:00:00.002-06:00

Unfortunately, the 13th is a while back! A lot has happened since then so I can't think of much more than the fact I was a bit disappointed that I loss less than a pound this week. Especially since I even turned down all the delicious treats at Cameron and Jordan's Tea Party...and everything looked incredible so that was no easy feat! I am thankful for my decimal scale that continues to give me hope that I am still losing...encouraging me to continue making healthy choices! This week's weigh in, I was down 0.7 for the week, a total loss of 8.4!

Aimee's 4th Week Update

2008-02-06T14:24:00.001-06:00

I was pleasantly surprised when I got onto the scale this morning! I've lost 1.7 more pounds! That puts me at 7.7 total weight loss so far! I'm now a bit over half way there! Leaving me with 7.3 pounds left to loose! So many questions run through my head this week! Will I continue to loose over a pound a week for the duration of my weight loss program!? Is my goal weight attainable!?!? Will I need to loose more once I hit my goal weight?!? How many pounds does one need to loose for the weight loss to look noticeable!?!? I've been more hungry this week...is it because I'm not having a lot of other outlets due to being stuck at home STILL with sick babies - or- should I eat more?!!? What happens when/if I reach my goal weight!?!? In reality is this the way I should eat for the rest of my life with exception to a few splurges here and there!?!? Any thoughts or suggestions?!?

Cheated!

2008-02-05T14:05:00.001-06:00

Saturday was a day of play for me! A much needed day of fresh air, girl talk, shopping, and yummy food! We had a baby shower for one of my baby sisters and then afterward, my older sister and I shopped at uppity shops, had lunch at ChickFilA...then waited entirely too long before arriving for dinner at Pappasitos Cantina! There was a 30 minute wait and the hostesses offered an appetizer of chicken taquitos! I had one of those then a couple chips with salsa once we sat down. I was thinking oh well, that's alright! Then when the fajitas came out I thought I could resist that incredibly good garlic butter...but nope! Sprinkled a good teaspoon on both fajitas! Oops!
I'm such a hypocrite! Last night as I watched The Biggest Loser (love that show) I was shocked at the dessert that the blue team made...they used 2-3 tablespoons of butter and it was suppose to be a healthy dish! The judge commented on how many calories it had because of the butter! I was like, "HELLO, what were they thinking!?!?" Silly me...I know what they were thinking...sounds good!
A couple weeks ago my sister-in-law told me that at the month mark it does seem to get tougher! Right she was! And I thought being stuck home had been real tough on my diet but perhaps its been some sort of strange blessing since there are very few things here that tempt me! I mean, I guess I could attempt to make the garlic butter for my fajitas but its not already prepared...staring at me, ya know! Hmm, we'll see how the weigh in goes tomorrow! Every since Saturday's cheat I feel like I'm slipping a little here and a little there! I have to remember how badly I want to get that 15 pounds off of this body and refocus what it will take to get there! Any other suggestions!?!?

Aimee's 3rd Week Update

2008-01-30T14:10:00.001-06:00

I can't believe I am at the end of my 3rd week of dieting for the first time in my life! Truthfully, I have felt deprived very little and have enjoyed working towards getting back to a healthier me! I know at some point I am going to have to incorporate more exercise to keep losing pounds, but hopefully that can wait until we get to some nicer weather! The wind today was CRAZY ~ felt like Lubbock, Texas during my college days! But for now, my weigh in was successful! Another 1.9 down ~ that is a total loss of 5.9.

Snacking

2008-01-27T13:25:00.001-06:00

Aimee here:
Losing weight while stuck at home for a week with a sick baby girl...throw in two stir-crazy boys...and a bunch of whining is a real challenge! My little belly was screaming isn't there something sweet around here!!? Something to keep me smiling!?!!? Thankfully I stuck to my plan and haven't ate more than my daily portion! I've been trying to pick low cal snacks so I can eat a bit at a time all day long...like...8 wheat thins with 1 section of laughing cow cheese (there's a new garlic and herb flavor that's awesome)- 2 points, garden vegetable soup- 0 points, skinny cow ice cream sandwiches- 2 points, ww yogurt- 1 point, 2 cups of almost fat free popcorn- 0 points, etc. I even had nachos one evening...baked tostitos (17 chips for 2 points and 1/4 cup low-fat cheese for 3 points and my homemade salsa for 0 points). Those were so good! Thankfully my little Belle is on the mend so eventually our days will pick up the pace.

Yummy Fruit Cobbler

2008-01-26T14:47:00.002-06:00

Hey girls,

I got a new recipe for fruit cobbler at WW today that looks easy and yummy. We all need a treat now and then. This one is big enough to share with the whole fam.

Fruit Cobbler
3 C Fresh or Frozen Fruit (3pts)
1 Jiffy yellowcake mix (20pts)
1 C Fresca or diet Sprite (0pts)

Place fruit in a 8" square pan sprayed with baking spray. Sprinkle cake mix over fruit evenly. Pour soda over dry mix. Cover with foil and bake @350 for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Serves 6. 4 pts each serving.

Enjoy

Love, mom

Lonnie's Banned...

2008-01-24T12:54:00.001-06:00

Aimee here:
The first day that I decided to follow this weight watcher stuff Lonnie was so excited to join along! He's the one who always ruins the fun of splurge type food by reading the nutritional information aloud! Far into pregnancy number two I stopped him from sharing the scoop with me, but something about someone smiling as they research online the fat and calories in a large Braum's reeses peanut butter treat speaks loudly, ya know! Needless to say, he was thrilled to join with me on my health kick...or as he called it...support me!
Brandi (my neighbor and good friend) was shocked that I was letting him. Little did I know that he'd lose about 3 pounds the first week...this on a guy who is already skin and bones, very uncool! Then week two another 3 plus pounds! Seriously though when he hit the 160s (he's 6 feet tall), I banned him! Yep, put him back on 32 ounces of Dr. Pepper a day and started enforcing seconds during every meal!

You know how I got my weight watcher material from my freecycle group, well it wasn't the most up to date information so the points were alotted through how much you weigh rather than a calculated formula. Lonnie was only eating 4 points more than me each day. Finally the other night when Ali, Mom and I were at Chili's before catching our movie, they got to the bottom of it! There's a new formula and Lonnie was suppose to be eating 10 points more than me! (My personal opinion was that he needs 20 points more than me). Regardless, no wonder he was shrinking like crazy!

He's insisted now on eating the same foods as me, but is being much more purposeful about his portions!

Men and weight loss!?!?! So unfair!

Aimee's 2nd Week Update

2008-01-23T20:26:00.001-06:00

This weeks weigh in was again a success! 2.6 pounds loss this week for a total of 4.0 pounds down 10 pounds to go! The last day or two I've craved pizza in a major way but know one slice for 7 points wouldn't really satisfy! So I reverted to a childhood favorite of mine...English Muffin Pizzas! I had two halves and they were so filling and so GREAT!

English Muffin Pizzas

2008-01-22T20:29:00.002-06:00

1. Cut an English Muffin in half. Spray each side with nonstick cooking spray, sprinkle with Italian Seasoning, then broil on high for 2 minutes.

2. Top each muffin with 1/4 cup of my favorite spaghetti sauce warmed in microwave, Prego traditional, a bit more Italian Seasoning, a slice of tomato, and a slice of skim-milk mozzarella cheese.

3. Return to oven and broil until the cheese boils. Remove and Enjoy!

Helpful Tips

2008-01-20T20:51:00.001-06:00

I switched to the Saturday meetings...there seem to be more creative ideas shared and I like the speaker a lot. I wanted to share some of the comments with you....1 point chili is good (I'll share the recipe later) and so is SmartOne quesadillas, a weight watchers frozen meal.

Also, keep your eyes open for Pillsbury dinner rolls, whole wheat -- healthy heart. Nature's Own double fiber bread, 0 pts.

Love, Nana (Pam)

Chicken Alieca

2008-01-19T20:09:00.001-06:00

Serves 5
1-15 oz. can black beans, rinsed & drained
2-c. frozen corn
1-clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. cumin
1-1/2 c. salsa
1 lb. uncooked chicken breast
8 oz. fat free cream cheese
Combine beans, corn, garlic, cumin and 1/2 of the salsa in a crockpot. Arrange chicken on top. Pour remaining salsa over top. Cover and cook on high 2-3 hours or on low 4-6 hours. Stir in cream cheese until it melts. Can serve over rice or in a wrap--add points accordingly.
5 pts per serving (1-1/4 c.)

Chocolate Pudding

2008-01-17T20:01:00.001-06:00

Aimee here:
My new favorite sweet treat was found by mistake! Thankfully Lonnie accidently brought home the cook and serve fat free/sugar free chocolate pudding instead of the instant type I've always bought in the past! The cook part involves mixing 2 cups of skim milk with the chocolate pudding powder and then microwaving for 6 minutes or until a boil is reached. They do suggest you stir it briefly every 2 minutes as it cooks. When its been combined and cooked we toss it in the fridge for about a half hour and then serve it warm topped with fat free / sugar free cool whip! Can you say DIVINE!

1/4 of package with a scoop of cool whip: 1 Points

Aimee's 1st Week Update

2008-01-16T18:54:00.001-06:00

One week of tracking points! 1.4 pounds loss! I'm hesitant to say it, but its been easy and I've felt really GREAT about what I'm putting into my body! What's made it easy!?!? Having Garden Vegetable Soup in the fridge, writing down everything I eat, my new scale that shows to the decimal (this is just a picture of the scale that I found on the internet...not my actual weight), and settling down for the evening with a delicious vanilla skinny cow!

Garden Vegetable Soup

2008-01-15T19:21:00.003-06:00

2/3 cup sliced carrot
1/2 cup diced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups fat free chicken broth
1/2 cups diced green cabbage
1/2 cup green beans
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup diced zucchini

1. In large saucepan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, saute the carrot, onion, and garlic over low heat until softened, about 5 minutes.

2. Add broth, cabbage, beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and salt; bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, covered about 15 minutes or until beans are tender.

3. Stir in zucchini and heat 3-4 minutes. Serve hot.

Per serving: 42 calories, 0 g fat, 2 g fiber.

Point value per serving: 0

It's Official for Aimee!

2008-01-09T18:35:00.001-06:00

My first diet! Well, unless you count the 3 days that one of my sisters and I decided to try metabolife but it made us so jittery that we took the company up on the 30 day money back offer! Or the weekend in college that I decided I'd do a s'more diet and ate only foods used to make a s'more: marshmellows, chocolate and graham crackers. Hmm...what was I thinking?!?!? It was fun for a bit though! I also tried Slim Fast for 1 day but I felt like I was going to pass out from hunger...that and I was a total grump so of course that was a no go!
This time I'm real optimistic! I've only heard great things about weight watchers, so...I emailed my yahoo group called Freecycle (click on the word to see what the nationwide group is all about). One of my freecycle buddies had all of the weight watcher material and said I could have it since they weren't using it. They even had a calculater that I could try out and a really funny bracelet to keep track of points...hmm?!?! That wasn't quite my style so I tossed it. In my pile of new material was the eating out guide with all the points already calculated for most restraunts. A food companion guide that had all the points to the food in my pantry and fridge. A log for me to record my points consumed. And a bunch of recipes!
So here we go...I'm hoping to lose 5 pounds per kid...that's a total of 15 pounds for this Mommy!