Lots going on...a Re-Cap!

Since it's been so long since I've blogged, alot has been going on.

My kids were so excited to get their first piece of fruit free from County Market as part of the Fruit of the MOnti Club. They each have a card and all they have to do is go to CM and find out what the free fruit is. Then we go to the produce department and pick whatever we want! It's a great way for the kids to try some new fruits too. This month was grapefruit and while they both said tasted spicy ( even with sprinkled sugar on top), I was proud they tried it!
Lots of winter fun projects to keep them busy and happy in the house. After The Moms Group last week, we used a coloring sheet for one of our favorite books, The Mitten! Even our neighbor Alyssa, gets to participate with many of our projects!

We've been working on potty training! It's alot of work...for me...so I have't been as diligent as I should be but we are making some progress. Last pee pee in the potty she wanted sprinkles on a cupcake- DONE!! ( especially since I made two dozen the last time and froze them)

The witching hour at our house in the winter is between 4-5:30....they are up from nap and are done watching the one show they get each afternoon. Then they want to be entertained, they want Daddy, they want to be held, they want to snuggle, they want to manipulate, they want to do anything- as long as they can whine and get your attention at the same time. Their witching hour is also one of my busiest of the day as I try to get the house clean, start dinner( now that Brian works in Urbana I have to COOK, God Help Us All, and it's hard work for me). I refuse to put them back in front of the TV and sometimes I just can't do anymore damn creative projects.

While both kids were pulling on my and whining, I was cleaning off the counters in the kitchen and scooped some coins into my hand. I asked, "do you want to scrub coins?" Instantly both children were silent and they squeeled when I told them they could have soapy water and endless coins and a toothbrush and scrub away!

An hour!!! Did you hear that? AN HOUR of contentment! They let Brian and I even talk when he got home from work and they completed it after dinner- JOY!

So much more is going on. A full calendar of playdates and stuff at work and activities here in Monticello. Some dinners with friends. I've started my liscensing process for home daycare and have an appointment/class with DCFS next Wednesday.

Our church is keeping us busier that ever as they have their own stuggles and we all are trying to give more time and do more to help out.

Oh, and have you seen my sexy husband lately? He's officially 20 pounds lighter than he was just 3 short months ago when we first made our trip to see a specialist in Iowa City and was told to lose weight. He looks AMAZING and is lighter than he's been in 8 years. He has had more blood work and all his labs look good! He still struggles with pain if he makes poor food choices but has really come to terms with his new lifestyle and loves it. He's posted some really powerful blogs on his lifestyle changes on his fitness blog http://run4it-illinois.blogspot.com/ Check it out.

His lifestyle changes mean I've changed too ( what we do for those we love, especially when we too are overweight). I have maintained my goal weight for almost two years now and challenged myself in 2011 to just try to lose another 10 and see what that feels like. I'm now 5 pounds lighter that how I ended 2010 and I weigh less than I have in 15 years!!! Feels pretty good. And my health has been great too ( thanks to those of you who still reach out and ask me too). I had a tough fall as I was under alot of stress with Brian's illness but it's been a great winter and my mouth is in good shape.

We are happy and hanging in there- spending lots of time together at home, staying busy but having fun too!