I love Rain

That's all that's on my mind right now. I love the rain. Too bad I have to go to the gym today. Otherwise, I'd drop those little guys at school, come back home and crochet all morning while half way watching sappy movies on the Hallmark channel.

Oh dear, they are in the kitchen asking each other for towels. Gotta run!

Random Acts of Kindness

L and I went to a birthday party this evening. Afterwards, we stopped at Chick-fil-a for dinner to take home. When it was our turn to pay, the lady at the window said, "the people in front of you just paid for your dinner."

"On accident?!" I exclaimed.

"No, they just wanted to," she replied.

At that, I looked over to the gray SUV driving past and waved emphatically and they waived back. I was moved to tears. And I looked over at L and told him that God is so very good to all of us, and we thanked God for that random act of kindness.

Halfway home I realized that I should have paid for the meal of the people behind me. I'll be sure to pay it forward the next opportunity I get.

Lots of leaves and a flower

We love being outside. I did pose some of these pictures, but R was covering his brother all on his own. And despite the cold temps, my gerber daisies continue to bloom.

My man is doing so great!

I'm folding laundry today, underwear, socks, and such and I realized that Daddy is really doing fabu in his weight loss. He has always struggled with being the fat kid on the block or the biggest one of the group at work, in social settings, etc., and this has done nothing for his self-esteem. Well, since joining the gym one year ago and discovering group fitness classes, Greg is down roughly 40 pounds and has been shopping in his own closet lately! It is so awesome seeing him come down several sizes in clothes, underwear, etc. He'll try something on and WOW!

So how is he doing it? Nothing special...just very hard work at the gym - mostly spinning classes and being mindful of what goes in his mouth. It's simple, but a lot of work, and all his work is paying off. Congrats big guy! Or should I say, the incredibly shrinking big guy. Smooch!

He's also doing fabu at work - his latest promotion gives him the title of Corporate Quality Assurance Manager, or something like that. He's basically head man overseeing the quality aspects of three bottling plants. That's one big hat. Again, his hard work is paying off.

Foggy Fall

It's a very peaceful morning. The sky is gray, there's a bit of fog in the air and the leaves are showing their brilliant colors. Picture perfect. In just a few weeks, the backyard will be full of leaves to rake and jump in, then bag up for the city to take to recycling. The boys are peacefully eating their oatmeal and watching Blue's clues.

Here's what I read on MSN.com this morning about what we drink:

Worst Coffee Alternative - Starbucks Venti White Hot Chocolate
640 calories
23 g fat (15 g saturated)
76 g sugar
Caffeine abstainers will find little nutritional refuge in Starbucks' hot chocolate concoctions. This one packs an entire day's worth of saturated fat, with more than enough sugar to set you up for a dramatic mid-afternoon energy crash. Stick with the Steamed Apple Juice instead.

Worst Hot Coffee - Starbucks Venti 2% Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
660 calories
22 g fat (14 g saturated)
95 g sugar

The Worst Drink in America - Baskin-Robbins Large Heath Bar Shake
2,310 calories
108 g fat (64 g saturated)
266 g sugar

Unbelievable. I'm glad that Chick-fil-a milkshakes were not on the list. I don't want to know how those would rank.

Off topic...my oldest just walked into the room and said, "mom, now what do we do?"
To which I replied, "what do you normally do after breakfast?"
"go play?"
"how bout that!"

Random thoughts for the day

Check out my new layout! I figured out how to make it look pretty like everyone else! I'm so proud of me! (gloat, gloat)

Okay, other thoughts on my mind...how much time should one really spend on blogging? My husband already thinks I spend way too much time on the computer; I really do, and doing what? Just waiting on someone to email me, shopping for things I can't afford...

Why do kids not eat anything I fix. I give them what they ask for and then they don't eat it.

Why Twitter? Why not pick pick up the phone and actually talk to someone about what you are doing? Seems that people don't really get together anymore b/c they broadcast their life on the internet - such as this - so why bother talking or seeing anyone when you can do it virtually? Crazy.

And that takes me to the friendship issue. I've been terribly down in the dumps for about two months, not really caring about anything - like paying the bills, doing laundry, cleaning the house, eating healthy, working out, being overall responsible. I've basically lost my passion for everything I used to love. It has been effecting my health and preventing me from making a dent in losing this weight and having a better outlook about myself and caring for the boys. So I visit my therapist, thinking that I need to get back on the happy pills. About 10 minutes into our conversation, the friendship card is played and I cried hard for the next hour.

I have never had such a hard time finding my place in life until I became a mother. I've never been the most popular person around, but I've always had a place and belonged...somewhere. I've never had to put so much effort into being a friend as I've had to do these last five years of my life. In my visit with my therapist, she explained to me that this is the time of life when women need close, intimate relationships...without that, we are not really complete and just feel like we are going through the motions of life, but not being fulfilled in any way. That close, intimate relationship is what I crave.

Of all the people that have come and gone lately, there are four people that I am closest to. These ladies know the darkest parts of me, but still accept all of me and for that I am so grateful. But what doesn't work for me is that I don't see them all the time, and I'm one of those people who needs to be around people. I need to be able to help someone and do for them. And I need that back. I often feel that I'm the only one who reaches out, but no one reaches out for me. As soon as I stop reaching, I give up and the relationship dies. So I'm told to not give up so easily. I'll work on not giving up. However, for those people that I've reached to and reached and have gotten nothing back, it's not worth pursuing.

The other thing I'm working on is not feeling like I have to fit in everywhere and with every situation. There are some groups of people that I just won't click with and I've always plaqued myself with why do I not fit? It's simple...I just don't. Move on.

Wow, that feels better.

Fun with leaves

Thanks Lara for letting us come and play today. We really appreciate all the hard work you put into raking the leaves! And finally!!! - a picture of R's personality. He's my coverboy!