Life is good today

Happy Friday! It's 60 degrees outside today! I know it's only temporary (and really windy & kinda cloudy), but I'm going to enjoy it because there is a chance for snow and high of 29 on Sunday...

Why is life good today?
#1 Well, last Saturday before I headed to Jazzercise (after approx. 3 weeks off) I decided to step on the scale. My pants were all fitting a little tighter, and I started to notice a little extra all around. I knew that I ate recklessly and didn't workout regularly over the holidays. But, I was not prepared for what the scale had to share. I had gained over 10 lbs. WHAT? I worked so hard to lose 6 lbs last spring and kept it off for most of the summer. I think that the weight gain probably started around Halloween, when we ate a ridiculous amount of candy in a very short amount of time. Oops. Then over the holidays there was lots of pizza, comfort food, cookies and candy. So, back to the good part of all of this. After Jazzercise last Saturday, I got online and joined Weight Watchers. Well, I stepped on the scale this morning and I am down 5 lbs! Exactly what I had hoped for. I've been through this before, so I know that I won't see a 5 lbs loss again in one week, but it's a good start. It helps to stay motivated. The new WW plan is really awesome, and it's not hard to stay on track. I haven't been hungry one time this week. And I have made it to Jazzercise everyday this week (except Sunday). While I'd like to set a # goal for weight loss (about 15-20 lbs), I really just want to keep this routine up. Make it to Jazzercise 5-6 days a week and follow the points for 3 months. When I did WW the first time (in college, before the wedding) I lost 30 lbs from January to Spring Break in March, so I am confident that I can do well if I do stick with it. I have that big birthday coming up, too, so I'm feeling a little pressure to get things in control because I hear it just gets harder and harder. I just want to feel good in a swim suit this summer. And there are talks of baby #3 this year, and I would like to start the next pregnancy below where I started the first 2 and be able to workout throughout it! :)

#2 I hired a cleaning lady! I've dreamed about this for the past few years, thinking we could never justify it. But, it has gotten a little out of control. I no longer have a whole Saturday available to knock it all out and I tried creating a schedule and doing one thing each night during the week (failed big time). Last weekend I was frustrated that I didn't get the bathrooms cleaned, so I asked Heath if he could do it for me. He did, and it wasn't even 24 hours later that he agreed that we could get one. Cleaning the house (or finding time to clean the house) is one of my major sources of stress. I love that we will be able to focus on other projects, like organizing the basement, maybe painting the kids rooms, getting some more pictures on the walls, CRAFTING! I'm excited about the possibilities. And, she's coming on Fridays, so I will be able to have people over on the weekends without stressing about getting the house clean before. Plus, with the lake house, I really won't have free weekends to clean :)

#3 Tomorrow we are meeting my dad at the lake house to help them get moved in (at least make it usable for now)! He's loading a U-Haul up today and will be headed that way tomorrow. We're leaving after Madelyn's dance. Unfortunately, the forecast doesn't look so good...rain tomorrow and chance for snow on Sunday. They will be there all week and we'll meet them back there next weekend, too. My mom has to work tonight, so she's driving down on Sunday. So exciting!

And I'll leave you with some phone pics...happy weekend, friends!

Yummm...Portillo's (I would weigh 200 lbs if I lived in Chicago)

We found this gem in my mom's closet. It still had the tags on it. It's from maybe 1992? She got it on clearance at Yonkers and thought she might wear it for a new years party....It fit Emily perfectly!

Me and Julie before Mallory's wedding.

Me and Madelyn before the wedding (you can see the 10 lbs in my arm...eww)!

Sweet little Brody all dressed up (and look at his huge feet...going to be a big boy)

Madelyn had snuck this pink fur vest into her baby's diaper bag and pulled it out when we got to the reception.



Can you handle Madelyn's dance outfit? (she's on the end with the hot pink tutu & leg warmers) I got it for her for Christmas.




Heath and I got to get dressed up a second time last week for his company Christmas party! I took a self pic while waiting for him int he car. I curled my hair and wore lipstick...had to document it.