Sunday, February 27, 2011

You Make Me Sick

So, I haven't blogged about mine and Nathan's weight loss because...I just haven't. But we have been working out and watching what we eat (not on a crazy diet because it's not realistic long-term for us). I have been going to Zumba since after Thanksgiving and started Body Pump (weights) about two weeks ago. Ok, so I have lost 22 lbs since Thanksgiving. I have made exercise a priority and I am loving it!

Nathan's motivation: His dad had bypass surgery this past September and his grandmother had a similar surgery years ago. He knew that if he didn't do something now then there might be issues in the future. Well, he has done great and lost 16 lbs since the end of January (yeah, gross I know).

Ok, so this past Saturday we went to work out and that is when we weigh for the week. I was a little nervous because I hadn't eaten very well. I hadn't exceeded my calorie intake but I hadn't made healthy choices. I had done my 4 Zumba classes and 2 Body Pump classes but I was still a little nervous. I weighed in and I had lost 1 lb. Whew! It's a loss and I will take it! ..especially when I thought I had gained.

So I meet up with Nate to get the boys from childcare and head home. I said, "Well, I lost a pound. Atleast I didn't gain." He looked at me with a slight grin and said, "Three and a half." Let me just say that he had worked out a couple times and he hadn't made healthy eating choices either so I thought he had GAINED three and a half pounds. Oh, and he had just weighed on Tuesday. No, he LOST three and a half pounds in FOUR DAYS!!! Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am happy for him but geez!

I have met my first goal of pre-Brandon weight so I am not going to worry about comparing myself to him. I am just going to keep trying to reach the goals I have set. Besides, he is a man and it's just unfair how fast they can lose weight!




Meg

Thursday, February 24, 2011

"Alli"

Our friend, Allison (Brandon calls her "Alli"), came over tonight for dinner and American Idol. I had planned for us to cook but our power went out late this afternoon and I was afraid it wouldn't come back on in time so I asked Nathan to pick up pizza on his way home from work.

Brandon and Carson loved having her here! We kept saying, "Allison" all night and we eventually figured out that "Alli" would be easier to say. Brandon could handle that so that's what he calls her. It's cute.


I couldn't get Brandon to look at me and smile...little stinker!




Allison, Nathan never made his shot! =)




Meg

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

REVENGE

This morning I folded about three loads of the boys laundry. I didn't have time to put it away before we went to the YMCA so I had to get the boys dressed in the floor. Carson went first so when it was Brandon's turn Carson got REVENGE!!!

It was hilarious because Brandon didn't like it at all! He was whining and saying, "Bubba. Scratch." Carson was pulling his hair and laughing. I couldn't help but get my phone out and take pictures.







Meg

Monday, February 21, 2011

Yet I Will Praise

I have had a few opportunities to lead worship since we have moved to Nashville. Faith Church has been such a blessing as I have been able to do things a little out of my comfort zone...it's a blessing to do things out of our comfort zone? Yes. It's during those times that I am FULLY dependent on God because there is no way that I could do it apart from Him!

This past Sunday morning brought more anxiety than ever before. I prayed the whole way to church and by the time the guitarist and I sang through the music I had such a peace. Chuck (the pastor) centered the worship service around praise. What does it look like to have a lifestyle of praise? What enables us to praise Him in the shadows? It was a great time of reflecting on who He is and who we are in Him regardless of our circumstances.

I was able to share a brief testimony about how God has revealed Himself to me during dark times and how I have CHOSEN (because it is a choice) to praise Him during those seasons. When Nathan graduated from seminary in 2009, Brandon was six months old. I was a stay-at-home mom which has its advantages but it can have its disadvantages. I had no idea how lonely mommyhood could be! I loved it (and still do) but I struggled. Nathan had started the job hunt for a ministry position and I was trying to be an encouragement to him but it was hard!! I was ready to leave Louisville and start the next phase of our journey.

I had to choose to praise God regardless of my circumstances. That usually meant listening to worship music during naptime and just reflecting on His goodness even when I didn't feel like it. It meant seeking out God-glorifying relationships. It meant praising Him through the reading of His word. There were so many days that I could have had a little pity party and I am sure I did on several occassions but I tried my hardest to praise Him in the midst of that dark time.

This is a song we sang...LOVE IT! (If you can't see the video, it's "Yet I Will Praise" by Vineyard - YouTube it)





Meg

What a weekend!

We had a BUSY weekend!! It was a good busy as we were able to spend lots of time with family!

Tiffany brought the kids over to our place on Friday afternoon. She left Sunniee and Graciee here so they could spend the night. Our initial plans were to cook pizza...Nathan, Brandon, and I had a yummy pepperoni Tombstone pizza. The girls like the $1 personal pizzas. Gross. That's what they wanted so thats what I got them. We were planning to take them to Sweet CeCe's which has become a favorite of ours. If you have never been there or don't know what it is, check it out!

We ended up eating the pizza as planned but instead of going to get frozen yogurt, we watched the "Minute to Win It" marathon on the Game Show Network. Later that night I took the girls to see "Never Say Never" (the Justin Bieber movie). We went to the late movie which means they were WORN OUT by the time we got home. We had a great time...they are so much fun and I am glad I live close enough that I can do stuff like that with them!









We were able to take our time getting up Saturday morning. My parents came into town to celebrate Tiffany's birthday so we took the girls home and then spent the day there. We watched basketball, ate too much, played games, laughed A LOT, and celebrated Tiffany. It was a great day!

Daddy watching the game...well, it was about to start. He definitely doesn't lay down to watch UT!


Brandon loves this guitar!









Playing a little softball =)



We got home around dinner time Saturday night. I helped lead worship at church Sunday morning so I took the rest of the evening to get things together for that. I will post about Sunday morning in a separate blog.

I am so thankful for my family!!!



Meg

Thursday, February 17, 2011

You are Good

Try to ignore the lights, stage, singers, etc. and listen to the words. Worship.







Meg

The Zoo

We started the day like any other...at the YMCA, of course! =) I had a Zumba class this morning and because we were supposed to have pretty weather, I packed their diaper bag with snacks and drinks. I put a blanket in the car and was prepared for a late morning/early afternoon at the park.

Well, this Mama was feeling a little spontaneous! We were heading to the park from the Y and I thought, "Today would be a good day to go to the zoo." I had considered it last night but wrote it off since I had heard mixed reviews of the Nashville Zoo.

I am so glad we went! Brandon loved it and Carson did GREAT!

Looking at the tiger. He growled for the next few minutes until we got to the next animal =)






The monkeys put on a show and Brandon loved it!


The flamingos were the hit of the day!

"Long neck"...that's how Brandon says giraffe =)


Carson loved the walk. He never made a sound. He ate his bottle, looked around, and fell asleep right before we left.

So, I started the day with an hour in Zumba...then went to zoo where I pushed around a 50+ pound stroller...came home and eventually cleaned (dusted, vacuumed, etc.). I think I got my work out for the day!





Meg

Thursday, February 10, 2011

SNOW DAY

Yesterday's forecast was snow...and a few inches of it. I don't think anybody expected what we were going to get. Well, maybe you did but it caught us off guard. It takes Nathan about thirty minutes to get home from work, so when it started snowing at 3:00 yesterday I sent him a text that suggested he leave a little early. I could see the interstate from our living room window and traffic was already moving slowly. It's not that he didn't WANT to leave early...he just couldn't, so he left at 5:30. Well, he started the journey home that ended at 10:00!!!!

I watched the news and looked online and I could tell that interstate traffic was INSANE so he went a back way. Unfortunately, he didn't have any luck with that either. To make a long story short, his car stalled on an icy road...his cell phone died...he walked quite a distance to a stranger's house to use their phone (thankful for their hospitality)...our pastor and another church member went and got him (thanks, Chuck and Jeff)! He finally got home 4 1/2 hours after leaving work. Poor thing.

He was home with us most of the morning today. PRAISE THE LORD his car was right where he left it last night!! So, he went and got it today and was able to go to work this afternoon. Like most days this winter (I am SO ready for spring), we played inside because it was WAY too cold to go outside...besides, Brandon still isn't too fond of the snow.








Because of the snow and ice this morning, I wasn't able to make it to my 9:30 Zumba class. Sad day!! But, no worries, there was a 4:00 class this afternoon! Oh but more sad news! The instructor couldn't get out of her driveway and wasn't able to come in. No instructor = no Zumba. I was not a happy girl! So, I pouted for a few minutes then decided to walk a mile or so on the track. Yeah, it was NOTHING compared to Zumba but what is?




Meg

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Six Months

Carson turned six months old on January 29th so we went to the doctor yesterday for his check-up and vaccinations. I took him two weeks ago and was told he had an ear infection. Fortunately, the infection is gone - woohoo!!


He weighs 15.8 lbs (20th percentile) and is 27 inches long (80th percentile). His head is in the 75th percentile - atleast he is proportional! =)




So, what did Brandon do the whole time we were there?

He played in the waiting room until we had to go back to see the doctor.





Brandon is 100% boy with TONS of energy. He is a typical 19-month old that likes to get into everything!! Well, he was a PERFECT ANGEL!!! Seriously. He sat in that chair the entire time we were in the room.

I am so thankful and blessed to have two healthy baby boys!




Meg