Festivus has begun

At the Simpson household. Like last year, my niece Jessica and this year we recruited Jeanna,a LCC youth group gal along for the decorating fun. I would highly recommend this strategy to those mommies out there who aren't too anal retentive about decorating and just want to get it up! Matthew helped me decorate the tree today and was SO INTO IT! IT was really sweet. I also bought the kids an advent type calender called, "What God wants for Christmas" which explains the Christmas story and salvation. Its really neat and is made by the same company who developed "Resurrection Eggs".
Thanksgiving was a nice day. We spent a relaxing morning here and then went to Jeff's sister's house. It was a bit crazy with the kids, but that was to be expected. Friday morning, like a crazy person, I got up with Jenny,Jeff's sister and my niece's Jessica and Allison to hit Target at 5:30 am! It was early but really worth it,I got alot of great deals! Of course, Matthew peed out of his diaper at 3:30am so I was up from then! I never ended up naping that day but survived! Friday night we got together with some friends at their annual, "After Turkey Day" party. It was alot of fun. Yesterday Jeff went with his sister's to see "FOUR CHRISTMASES" I went to "TWILIGHT" on Wednesday night. It was really good. A little teenagerish(is that a word) but entertaining none the less.
Not much is going on this week, just the usual SAHM mom stuff! Hope your Holidays are going splendidly so far!

THANKFUL FOR 08

Here are my top TEN:

10. IPOD's
9. My newly established YMCA membership..excercise and childcare for a buck! Such a deal!
8. Losing 150ish pounds
7. Great friends who know me and love me still!
6. A home, filled with lots of toys and cheese it crumbs, which are further evidence of more of my blessings
5. The ablility to walk, run and move all of my body.
4. A wonderful extended family
3. An amazing husband who gets me and helps me out in so many unspeakable ways.
2. Loveable, spirited and healthy children.
1. A God, who loved us so much that he gave us HIS son!

Have a wonderful turkey day! Eat your hearts out!

One of those days

Its one of those days when I want to literally get into my car, wait, first I would pack a bag, get into my car and just drive! The kids are driving me crazy,I feel scattered and as if I can't accomplish anything..yuck!
This weekend has been decent except for today. Friday I went to my friend Carol's lakehouse with some girlfriends for the night..yes, I suppose after having a night away I should be more sane, not the case. I really wish that Jeff and I could get away for the weekend and just be alone together. Even checking into a hotel down the street for two days of just "us" would be perfect for me! I miss him..yes, we see each other nearly everyday but all this "parenting" crap just seems to really take its toll on us! Tommorrow I am going to post my "What am I thankful for 08" list up..I need to kick this pity party! Hope your Sunday is better than this momma's!
S

YMCA

We're members of the Y! My parents decided to do "joint" gifts this year. After much deliberation, Jeff and I decided that we would go for that. So, for the next six months that is where you will find me working out! I am so happy not to have to be out in the cold weather anymore. I am dedicated but man did that start to really stink! Plus, the daycare at the Y is super cheap and Matthew and Caroline really love it. We have gone everyday since we joined. We go in the afternoon during what I like to call "the witching hour" 3-4:30 pm. They play with some friends and I get to listen to my IPOD, watch adult t.v and get stronger and healthier. At this point in my weight loss journey, I really needed something to get me to the next level. Walking wasn't really giving me much of a workout anymore. Plus, I have come to realize while doing the Nautilus machines, that I have definetly loss alot of muscle in my rapid weight loss...I am so weak,its pretty pathetic actually. When I was heavier, I was much stronger. Oh well, I can build those babies back up.
WARNING..the next topic may be TMI for some..I was seriously worried that I was "with child" late this weekend and until today. I guess I am blogging about this b/c I am not sure what we should do about bc. We're like 99.9% sure we want no more children..Jeff would argue he is 110% sure:) But, our ridiculous Catholic insurance wont' cover ANY birth control. Many people I know have the mirena iud and love it. I looked into that and its $800 and a vasectomy is more like $1300..wowza! Maybe my parents could give Jeff that for our anniversary..the gift that keeps on giving:) Just joking! Who knows but this paranoid, taking 5 pregnancy tests in three days has to end. Not sure why I am talking about this..there has to be people in this situation right?
Next week is Thanksgiving..yippee! We're staying home and going to Jeff's sister's. It should be a fun time. We will get to meet our newest cousin..Parker! Then the rest of the weekend will be dedicated to CHRISTMAS DECORATING! Good times!

He's not "that kid"

I helped out in Matthew's class and I am glad to say he is not or at least wasn't "the naughty kid" today! He was so good!! He pretty much did his own thing and sometimes interacted with me and some of the other kids. I was relieved to see that there were alot of other kids who were way more rambunctious than Matty man. I wasn't totally shocked b/c he has been doing so well there. Of course he still has his spazy moments for mommy and daddy..what kid doesn't!? I keep forgetting to post/admit that we have given Matthew back his pacies at night. He is still pacie free all day but he was really struggling at night. Jeff and I likened him to a crack addict in withdrawel..it wasn't pretty. After much discussion with ourselves and his OT we decided we would allow him to have them only at night for awhile longer. He has been great with "giving them up" in the morning. Baby steps I guess. I was totally hiding/lying to my mom about it..I couldn't face her thinking I suck as a mom but I underestimated her..she was totally cool and supportive.
This week we're kind of busy. Tommorrow is Caroline's two year check up and this weekend Jeff is going up north to get away and visit his cousin..yuck! Some friends who moved to Traverse City this fall will be in town for one last visit before they welcome their third child on December 11th so I may meet her for dinner. Jeff argued that everytime he goes out of town, I rack up babysitting charges..true but irrelevant:) I can't believe Thanksgiving is only two weeks away! Unbelievable! Hope your having a wonderful week!
S

Pluggin away

At life that is. I swear since Facebook came into my life I am even more ADD! I can't seem to sit down and write anything. We're pluggin away here at the Simpson house. We had the kitchen painted on Monday and Tuesday! Goodbye awful wallpaper!
I took Caroline back to the allergist because her skin has been awful lately. They didn't really do anything all that helpful. We're trying giving her a daily dose of Zyrtec to see if this helps and keeping her greased up too! She goes to her 2 year check up this week so I am going to ask them about her food and skin issues then. I am thinking about maybe putting her on a gluten free diet but its a real commitment so we will see. If it makes her happier and more comfortable I would do anything! I am now helping out with our youth group at church. Its something I have been feeling called to do for some time and finally decided enough is enough and to JUST DO IT! We have a new youth pastor at our church who has really impressed me so far! I am excited to get to know the kids better. I think I am going to go to a Winter camp they are going to after New Years. I had alot of fun with them in Cedar Point..lets see how I hold up with winter sports!
I am helping out in Matthew's class for the first time on Tuesday! I pray it goes well! He is contiuning to really do awesome in school!
This weekend we're sticking around town. Jeff may take Matthew to the Holiday parade dowtown tommorrow and then tomorrow night Jeff and I are going out to celebrate a friend's birthday! Sunday we have nursery and I am making my famous..ok not so famous chili for small group! The weather is finally turning cold, which I have to admit I don't mind so much, at least thru Christmas! Happy Weekend!

Categorized..

I don't usually mind being categorized..white,female,mom,wife,happy,healthy,easily irritated,sarcastic..you get the point.. But, lately I have really been struggling with a decision I made a few years ago to become a Wesleyan. At the time I felt like it was something Jeff and I should do because we were new to the area and just assumed that we would always and forever be going to the Wesleyan church. While we have no plans on leaving our current church,which is Wesleyan, I feel like I don't necessarily want to be categorized as Wesleyan per se. Why does it matter you may be thinking? Well, to me it matters for several reasons. Several of the views of the Wesleyan church I don't agree with. But,at the end of the day, I like our church and especially the friends we've made there, so does it really matter?..probably not! I just sometimes feel like a "fake" Wesleyan! I think I will always feel denominationless..is that a word? I was raised Episcopalian and still feel very strong ties to that church. But, some of their doctorines I don't agree with it. I guess I would say I am a church goer who prefers not to be categorized..
That being said, I am voting for Obama on Tuesday..so I will probably be kicked out once word gets out amongst the Wesleyans...just kidding:)
S