I'm Baaacckk!

Muah ha ha ha! At this insistence of my sister  (<3 you Ashley) I have returned! I promise to try and catch everyone up on my WLS progress and all of the other exciting happenings of my uneventful life. One of my favorite times of year is fastly approaching and I must plan my Halloween costume! I have something in the works and will definatly post pictures. Anyone else out there thinking of dressing up and if so...what are you going to be?

Listening to: Smell of Desire by Enigma

Quote of the day: This Halloween the most popular mask is the Arnold Schwarzenegger mask.  And the best part?  With a mouth full of candy you will sound just like him.  ~Conan O'Brien

A 40th Fiesta!

My Bubba turned 40 last weekend. For those of you who don't know, my Bubba is my big brother (Randy).

His wish was a birthday fiesta a la mexicana.

We had a blast! We had the party at his church fellowship hall (so that meant no margaritas) but we had a great time. We served grilled steak, grilled chicken, peppers & onions, mexican rice, refried beans, tortillas, and a taco bar for the lil' ones.


After the festivities we had piñatas for the kids.

All that attended had fun and it was a day Bubba won't forget anytime soon.

Happy New Year! (1:11am 1/1/11)

Yes I am crazy enough to post this! I guess I wanted to be the first to wish you all a Happy New Year at 1:11am on 1/1/11.

Yes I am weird like that.

Yes I have a new picture for a new year!

And yes, I am wearing a wig! Shhhh don't tell anyone!

I finally am in "Onederland". I actually made it today. I was hoping it would be earlier (read by Christmas) but nevertheless, I am glad I have reached one of my goals. Onederland, for those of you do not know, simply means that I am now weighing in the one-hundreds instead of the two-hundreds. It has been 15 years since I have been in Onderland. I had to take a picture to prove it.

(and FYI no I am NOT rounding the number). That's my choice. Now, tomorrow when I wake up it will probably be reading 198 or so. But I wanted it to be this year, and it was by gosh!

My journey thus far has been totally worth it, and I anxiously await all of the wonderful blessings 2011 brings.

I wish you all a Happy New Year and hope that you feel blessed and loved, and have few worries. I hope that your old wounds heal and no new ones form. Remember to forgive yourself and others, weather they deserve it or not. God bless!

Christmas 2010

I have had a very blessed holiday this year, as I hope you all have. I am taking advantage of time off of work with the hubby and little ones to celebrate. I will be back soon for an exciting six-month update! Happy Holidays and have a great time off with your loved ones!

Hello again!

First of all let me apologize to the masses (snicker) for my extended absence. I have been as busy as a bee getting ready for the holidays and working. Currently I am still at the hospital and at the health department as well. Things are working out so far and I hope they continue to go smooth.

I am at a point where I am looking forward to the holidays. I was so worried about making ends meet this Christmas and we have managed to squeeze by and get the kids what they asked for. Next year, I hope, will be much better.

This may sound vain, but here goes... I am losing my hair. Not figuratively, literally! I have been down in the dumps with the amount that I have lost and I am taking all of the supplements that my surgeon recommends. I knew about this (we were forewarned in the pre-op classes) but never expected it would be this bad. I am anxiously awaiting the point where it stops falling out and begins to re-grow. Wanna see? I'm warning you..it's NOT pretty!

I guess I'll just have to learn to wear hats....or wigs.

I promise not to be gone so long again, but I am sure you all know just how busy things get this time of year.
Here's hoping your holidays are bright and you all remember the reason for the season!


Quote of the day:  And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more? ~Dr Seuss

Listening to: All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey

Happy Thanksgiving!

*Insert Adam Sandler's Thanksgiving song here*

Where do I start? My goodness! I could make a list but it would go on and on! I try to give thanks everyday for the things that I have and just as important the things that I do not have.

My boys and husband are amazing and I love them more every day. Having them in my life makes everything worthwhile. My family (near and extended), my home, my health, my job(s), and all of the little things too. I am thankful for not having excess stress, worries, and problems. I like to think that my life is realatively simple and stress-free for the most part.

I wish for you (my friends and readers) that your blessings are plentiful and that you have everything you need (and a little bit more).

Now I must rest becasue I will be one of the crazies out tonight shopping!

Quote of the day: As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John F Kennedy

Listening to:  "The Thanksgiving Song" by Adam Sandler

The Big News

Sorry for leaving everyone in suspense (snort*laugh) yesterday but I just didn't have time for a decent post.

I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I am now an employee of the health dept.  I started the job today and I believe that I am going to enjoy it. I will be a breastfeeding peer counselor. It is something that I am passionate about. I have been waiting for over 4 months for something to come available at the hospital but I have had no luck. In this tight economy people are holding on to their jobs more than ever. I would love to be able to stay there but feeding my kids is more important to me.

Nicolas started preschool yesterday as well and did wonderfully. I am so proud of him.

I guess this is going to limit my posting somewhat since I won't be at home being lazy anymore. LOL Oh well, I think I will manage. No worries though, I plan on keeping everyone posted on my wls journey more so now than ever.

Rest and Relaxation

Sorry for going MIA on everyone, but I have been on vacation. The nerd in me wanted to take along my laptop and blog and surf the net from the beach...but the husband put his foot down. :O)

It felt really good to be away from reality for a few days. The room and view that we had was totally awesome. I have many BIG life-changing events coming soon and I needed this 4 day va-cay to get my thoughts together. I promise I will post tomorrow some pics (believe it or not, I only took a few) while on vacation. I will also be making an announcement as well. Stay tuned!

Quote of the day: A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking. ~Earl Wilson

Listening to: Frosty the Snowman by Burl Ives

A love like ours...

There's nothing on this earth that I love more than my kids. After working on Saturday, we went to my grandmother's house on Sunday for lunch. The weather was cold but it was perfect for a quick photo session.

This is the trying to be cool look. Bless Nathan's heart, he was trying not to shiver in this photo. Like I said, it was really cold! I let him keep his coat on after this. He looks so handsome and grown-up and he's only nine.

Nicolas is growing so fast lately too. He recently impressed me by recognizing and calling out the letters in "hobby lobby". Even though many think he is wild and doesn't listen...he really is sweet. He covers my face with his little sweet kisses and says "I love you, mommy" and I kind of forget about everything else.

My boys get along most of the time. They have their spats (as ALL kids do) but I find they play the best together when you just let them go and do what they want and have fun.  Here they got the biggest kick out of throwing leaves up in the air. Who cares if they get dirty? I love seeing them like this. It reminds me of what being a kid is all about......having no worries and having a great time.

This was another favorite of mine. I look at this and see so many similarities in their faces. They look so much alike and are sooooo different. I'm glad that they are turning out to be such great kids. And I'm glad that their mine. And I. Love. Them. *sigh*

Can someone please stop time NOW so that they will stop growing so fast?


Quote of the day: "Whatever they grow up to be, they are still our children, and one of the most important of all things we can give to them is unconditional love. Not a love that depends on anything at all except that they are our children." ~Rosaleen Dickson

Listening to:  "Super Why" courtesy of PBS..what can I say? I have a toddler! :O)

I Want Candy!

Halloween is just around the corner. This brings back some really fond memories for this fat girl. I loved candy when I was younger (still do but I have better taste in the KIND of candy I eat).


When I was a teenager I would eat it in bed and hide the wrappers behind my headboard. I did this because I knew I wasnt supposed to have it. It was like crack.



I used to go trick or treating with my older brother. We are five years apart and we went trick-or-treating together. We would gets lots of candy and then mom would check it over to make sure there were no needles or razor blades or poison and then we got to trade and eat what we wanted. I remember being very selective of my candy and would just HATE it when I got candy that I didnt like!



Indian Brave (Randy) and Buckwheat (Fredda).

 Remember those things called "Bit-O-Honey"? Hated them! Remember those candies in orange or black wax paper that would pull out your fillings? Hated them too! Also hated the butterscotch or peppermint rounds. Licorice? Nasty! I wanted the good stuff. The chocolate, the candy bars, and the Smarties, oh yes!
What about you? Do you have certain candies that you secretly pull out of your childs bag and eat? Do you remember a candy that you didn't like? Tell me about it! Leave me a comment!

Quote for the day:  There are two types of people in this world, those who love chocolate and communists.

Listening to:  The Time Warp~ Rocky Horror Picture Show

Can you say "Streptococcal Pharyngitis"?

Alas, I have returned to my blogger abode. Miss me much?

Both children have been infected with above mentioned bacteria and have kept me busy. Nicolas was diagnosed Friday and Nathan today. We are swimming in pink-bubblegum-smelling-amoxicillan. I was unable to blog because the kids had me bound and gagged and tied to a chair otherwise occupied.

I have a new picture that I want to share. My heart and soul....walking around outside of my body. I love these boys with my very being. I promise I'll talk about something else pertaining to my wls soon. For now, I'm just enjoying not being bound, gagged and tied up the moment.  :O)

Quote of the day: "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” ~Elizabeth Stone

Listening to: Babe by Styx

Boys!

This is my baby. Any pictures of him make my heart swell with pride. I've been told that he is just like me.

I've also been told that I shouldn't let him go barefoot? Am I a bad mommy because I do? He hates wearing shoes. So do I. Yes, he is just like me. In more ways than one.

He absolutely LOVES to pick his nose. He also likes to share what he finds in there.

 Can you see the look of concentration on his face?  That is how you can tell a pro from an ameteur.

(insert sigh) I just adore my boys. I also love the fact that they are nose-pickers. It runs in the family. Anyone who knows my cousin Jonathan will agree.

Quote of the day: Well, sometimes I say something mean to my brother, but I feel really good inside. Does that mean I'm a hypocrite?" -- 7 year old girl, after a Sunday School teacher explained that a hypocrite was someone who says one thing but feels something else.

Listening to:  Could You Be Loved by Bob Marley



Married to an Alien

My husband and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary today! You ask why I am here blogging instead of making whoopie with him? Well, he decided to take a nap, that's why! We went to the Fall Festival today and walked the whole thing! He then decided that he needed a nap. I sought solace in my computer! :O) Here is a short summary of how we met.

My Alien "L" was beamed down to earth almost 15 years ago via a starship called the Rio Grande. He landed on a planet called Brooklyn, New York. After realizing that New Yorkers bodies had already been probed and invaded by other aliens he set out for a smaller planet called Asheboro.
Once on the planet Asheboro "L" met an alien  from his home planet (who I'll call "S"). "L" and "S" became good alien friends.
Now "S"  happened to know of a local species that was aware of the alien invasion on planet Asheboro and had learned to communicate with many of them. Her name was "F" (that's me). 
One day "S" convinced "F" that she needed to meet "L", that he was a good alien and no probing would be involved. Once "F" was convinced of this, she agreed to meet "L".
Unlike many of the other aliens that "F" had met, "L" was a very nice, honest alien who intended to spend many years on the planet Asheboro (that is if the government didn't find out and send "L" back home via the starship Rio Grande).
"F" and "L" soon fell in love and "F" made the necessary arrangements for "L" to stay on planet Asheboro for a long time without worrying about the government. "L" and "F" have been together since and managed to have 2 Earthly offspring (yes some probing was eventually involved).
This just goes to show that 2 people can be from totally different planets (or countries) and yet their hearts speak the same language. THE END.

Taking a chance and going on that first "blind date" was one of the best things I ever did. This man gives me more love than I ever thought I'd have in a lifetime. He has taught me to believe in myself and he's taught me how to love. Without him I don't know where or who I would be.
And without him I wouldn't have my two beautiful boys, who are enough to drive me crazy and back. I wouldn't have it any other way.




Te amo, Luis. Ahora mas que nunca. Gracias por aguantarme.

Walk on the wild side

Today the family and I went to the local zoo.It is "one of the nation's largest natural habitat zoos". Check it out http://www.nczoo.org/. It has been a few months since I have been to the zoo (we have an annual membership) and the last time that we went (just me and the 2 boys) I had a hard time keeping up. Granted the weather was 95 degrees that day with high humidity. That trip was also pre-op. I suffered through the trip and we only covered half of the zoo due to heat and me being totally too tired to walk. Not to mention that I sweat like a pig the whole time!
Now that I am 40 lbs lighter, I really noticed a difference in my stamina and endurance. I actually carried the backpack on half of the trails. I felt much better, had no trouble breathing and barely broke a sweat! Today's temperature was over 85, so it was a cooler day, but I truly can FEEL a difference. I also forgot to mention that I did all of this after working a 12 hour shift last night and had only slept 4 hours today!!! We covered most all of the zoo and saw many animals that I missed previously and we got to see new exhibits too. Here's some things that we saw:

We had a great time and I continue to be very grateful for this new opportunity at life that I have been given.

Quote of the day: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" -Lao Tzu

Listening to: "Dare you to Move" by Switchfoot

I hate Nerf guns...

OK , maybe hate is a strong word..I really DISLIKE Nerf guns! My two children wanted them the other day, so the hubby complied and purchased them matching Nerf guns and ammo. ( Can you say not a smart idea?) So today while the husband is at work I get to listen to "who shot who in the head", "who has more darts than who" etc. You can imagine! Tomorrow we will be going to the summer clubhouse movies at the local cinema. That will keep them calm for a few hours.

I am healing fairly well (no pain meds needed anymore) Yipee! I have a slight infection in one of my incisions. but not uncomfortable. Last night we ventured out to a local pizza buffet and the hubby and kids had pizza. I had the cheese off of 2 small pieces of pizza and that was enough for me. The diet for the past week (pureed/soft foods) has consisted mainly of soft scrambled eggs with cheese, egg salad, finely ground beef with pizza sauce and mozz cheese, finely ground chicken salad, Wendy's chili, refried beans, yogurts and applesauce. I will be trying crab meat salad, shrimp salad, and roast beef hash (thanks Shelly  http for this idea) this week for a change. No vomiting at all yet and hopefully none in the near future. I have a mild panic attack if I think I'm going to vomit. So, um no plans of this in the near future! :O)://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

Quote of the day: "While we try to teach our children all about life, they teach us what life is all about."- Angela Schwindt

Song of the day: "You learn " by Alanis Morissette