I had to quit Target.

I had to quit Target this month. 

I used to go to Target once a week just to browse and gawk.

I love to shop there!

I wanted to try and 'quit' Target for a whole month to see if I could manage.

I survived.

I even managed to save some money for Disney World next month.

Actually, the reason I quit Target this month is because we were living on Teacher Welfare.

Y'all know what that is?

I mean, most people tend to think we live on TW every month, but we don't.

We get paid once a month.

Shock, horror, I know. 

But we survive.

I guess for some people it would be an adjustment, but I don't know much different.

Sooooooooo, once a month.

You pay the bills and then you have what's left until the end of the month.

The end.

Except in January.

We get paid the Friday we get out of school in December.

Usually the Friday before Christmas is payday every year.

Sometimes it is EARLY in December, but in 2012 it was December 21.

The paycheck on December 21 has to cover alllllllllll of January and the remainder of December.

This year I decided that since we were going to Disney World and living on TW I would tighten up.

So, no Target.

I did go on Tuesday afternoon for batteries for the garage door opener.

I can't live without mine and I knew Target had the correct size I needed.

We also stopped at the snack bar.

I got a hot dog and the kids got gummies.

Quitting Target taught me that I actually like having money to save.

It taught me that I can survive without going to browse or shop once a week.

I learned to fill my time with other things and I found it quite liberating.

I've enjoyed this month of Teacher Welfare and plan to continue my frugal experiment this year!

Right after I blow some dollars at the outlet malls next week....

Ironically, breaking up with my scale has caused all my pants to be too big!?

**insert happy dance and squeal here**

Except, now I need new pants! 

Holy snot balls!

17 more days to Disney World!

Lies, ALL LIES!

So, my sister is getting married in May.

I am super pumped for a family wedding and thrilled for her!

I love weddings and I am honored that she chose me to stand beside her that day.

I am the only bridesmaid who has little people.

And having little people makes your body change.

Period.

I am the oldest one of the chicks too.

Thus, I feel frumpy already.

I totally realize this day is ALL about her.

I know that the day of nobody will even notice me.

But those amazing pictures will last forever.

I refuse to be the frumpy girl.

Thus, Operation Bridesmaid Bootcamp began in December.

I've been working really hard on my fitness.

I've concluded recently that my fitness is good.

My eating plan could use some work...

Next phase of OBMBC is an actual eating plan.

I choose not to use the 'd' word.

Scary.



via pinterest

This is how I feel all the time.

I just don't understand why or HOW the number isn't changing.

I eat less.

I eat better.

I work out like a nut job.

Twice a day most days.

I push myself and the number is the same!

FRUSTRATION at its FINEST.

I used to think I needed to weigh myself every day because it kept me honest.

I knew that if I ate terrible on a day or two it would show on the scale.

If I ate well for a day or two, it showed on the scale too!

But add a good day or two and a bad day or two and you get an average....

of just... average.

Actually, I think it is making me crazy!

True story girlfriend.

I have always blamed my size on the big bones.

Thanks Mom & Dad.

But I'm thankful for those bones.

And I am thankful for the giant legs.

But, DANG.

I wish I could shrink them just a bit... a smidge.

Can you feel me?!

So this week began Operation No Scale in addition to boot camp.

I took the scale away last night.

I moved it to the closet. 

I fear for The Scale's life.

She is in danger of being eliminated!

See below...

Oh, and the scale is most certainly a girl.

Girls are mean.

My scale is the devil, thus it is a girl.

via pinterest

The Scale is living in my closet until my 31st birthday.

So, I will not weigh myself for a whole entire month.

Today I found myself tempted at the gym before I ran today.

But I moved away from the scale there.

I also found myself bored to tears while waiting for the shower to warm up.

That was my usual weigh in time.

I had to find something else to do today while I was waiting for that at home.

I am not weighing myself for 30 whole days.

Write that mess down.

via pinterest

I shall measure the rest of my body.

Those dreaded amazon legs.

My arms, chest (or the imaginary part of my body where boobs should be), and waist.

I'd like to pretend I have hips, but let's face it... those are pretend too.

I have a tree body shape.

Straight up/down.

No curves.

Here's to CURVES ladies!

Hoping to acquire some of those!

I'll use my measurements to track progress in a month too.

Until then, no scale.

It was liberating, but I feel like I'm missing my friend.

AND in 3 weeks I'll be celebrating my 4th wedding anniversary at DISNEY WORLD.

19 DAYS people.

19 DAYS!

That's a wrap people!

Friday night consisted of some feet dancing/walking with Daddy after big brother went to bed early.  

Do any of you parents have suggestions/ideas about fixing the picky eater syndrome?

We have started putting him to bed early if he refuses dinner...

Mind you, we aren't starving him.

But the child cannot survive on food bars alone.

If you'll notice her giant belly AND grin.

I think she loves him.

Daddy was home alllllllllllllll weekend.

He didn't have a wrestling tournament.

We haven't had him home for a weekend since November.

No joke folks.

It was SO nice to have Daddy home for a day or two.

This is my new book.

I bought it from Amazon, my favorite website everrrrrr.

I love Jill Conner Browne.

Go buy all her books right now.

You'll laugh until your belly hurts and then you'll laugh some more.

If you can't appreciate Southern sass, humor, and charm... don't bother reading.

You just won't understand...

We snuggled up today for a little bit after naptime.

They were still for about 5.5 seconds.

But it was a really sweet 5.5 seconds.

Can I get an amen?

And then this happened after bath and before bed.

My heart melted and I got a little weepy.

I love those people right there.

Weekend Roundup

Let's all observe.

If you follow me on instagram or facebook you have seen this photo.

But let's just visit it again, for further documentation....

My husband and Hayes are the same.

They were both watching the SAME cartoon about super heroes about 4 feet away from each other.

Same face.

Mouth open.

Glazed look....

Do you think my genetics are even IN that kid somewhere?

Same morning while I'm busily folding laundry....

Hayes brought me his puzzle for show and tell!

 

Busy day! 

Sweet smiles from my two favorite kids!

This was just before we took my MIL to Aldi for the first time.

She hated it.

I love it.

I'll blog about that more later....

Also, Leigh Anne brought Elizabeth some balloons last weekend.

This is how she chooses to play with them after the helium died.

Balloon wrestling?

I do believe her father would approve!

Reading with Mommy

My sisters came to visit last weekend, well actually, for the last two weekends.

Kathryn (Kitty) had already committed to both weekends to babysit while I coached.

Thanks Kitty! 

And Leigh Anne (Leelee) came both weekends to brunch and help out too!

Thanks Leelee!

I have amazing sisters!

At some point in time Saturday morning baby girl decided we needed to read. 

She brought me a book and I began to read.

Hayes climbed up too and began assisting my reading.

AKA:  bossing me around.

I have no idea where he gets that from.

I asked my sister to snap some quick photos with her handy iPhone while we read.

Thanks for documenting my family memories! It is a VERY rare moment that I have a picture of ME with my kids....

Unless I do a shameless self portrait....

I have no idea what we were reading.

I don't care.

I love these photos.

Where is Dave? 

Dave--I'm sporting my ALX shirt! 

Always representing!

The bandaid was a result of a hissy fit where he 'hurt' his head.

I can assure you, no children were actually harmed while Hayes was acting like a lunatic.

And it has Transformers on it.

And he loves them.

Even though I really bought the bandaids for his Daddy...

Vote for Libby James

If you click HERE you can go to the D Crowe Photography page and vote for my little sassy pants to win a contest.

This is the photo you are voting for.
Crazy girl.

If we win we get a free photo session in 2013 with Denise.

Denise and I have been BFF since the 8th grade.

I met her at a Beta Convention in passing with some mutual friends.

They played soccer with her and they were sorta my friends.

I wasn't really cool in the 8th grade, probably not cool now either.

That was the first time I saw Denise...

Then we met again at church.

She was wearing red pants and she was REALLY cool then.

I was certain that she wouldn't be my friend because she was friends with the 'cool' people from my school.

Much to my surprise she became one of my VERY best friends ever that year.

At one point in time we literally spent every single night together over summer break.

She was one of my favorite people through high school as well.

Eventually she married a wonderful man David.

I was honored to be a bridesmaid in their wedding.

To this day we still chat as often as we can....

Between jobs,children, husbands, and home we both stay busy.

She is that friend who I don't talk to every day, but still feel close to.

I know she's a true blessing to my life.

Recently she decided to take pictures as a hobby/career.

Amazing adventure for her.

Wonderful thing for my family.

So, go to her FB Page and vote for Libby.

She's the crazy girl with a white shirt running and laughing.

What you don't see in that pic is Hayes chasing her with a stick....

It was way better in person.

But seriously, my girl has more personality in her pinky finger than most adults will have their entire lives.

She's a hoot.

You can also browse Denise's actual photography blog.

D. Crowe Photography

If you book her, tell her I sent you.

She's amazing!

And VOTE for Libby James!

Sunday Funday

Daryk and I volunteer to serve at church every other Sunday. 

A lot of people think we are crazy because we have two small kids and serve in the nursery....

I personally find it to be very entertaining!

A bunch of 1-2 year olds running around like crazy for an hour brings a lot of laughter!

Of course, we get to hang with this crazy girl the whole time.

She loves to play with her friends and her favorite thing is snack time.

Typical.

She also loves this little toy with her BFF Elmo!

And she's getting better about sharing her Daddy, but she still likes to climb in his lap and read.

She grabs a book, runs to you, and says, "Read it!"

So thankful she likes to read... even if it does only last about 30 seconds per book!

Oh... the slide.

She's so strong and stubborn that she pushes the thing around the room until she decides to climb up....

and then slide down. 

I love her sprout.

Wish I could get away with that...