Mary Poppins Shirt

I'm geting PUMPED about my upcoming trip to Disney World.  The first time I went was my honeymoon, so I've never experienced it as a child.
Well...kinda.
I turn 5 and don't return to my normal age until the plane lands back at home.
This time we are going with our besties and their children.  They have a 6 year old girl and almost 3 year old boy.
I still may be more excited than the kids!  So is Julie!!!
We got together last week to make shirts for the kids and a couple for ourselves.  I'll eventually share many more pictures and some tutorials about this shirts, but this one makes me so happy, so I must share it now!
We will be having a character breakfast on the day we leave at 1900 Park Fare.  One of the characters is Mary Poppins.  I originally wanted to make SK a shirt with lace and buttons to look like Mary's dress with the red bow, but it wasn't making me happy.
Then I came up with this:

Love it!  I hope SK does too!

November Thankful Challenge, the 5th

Today I am taking time to be thankful for my BONUS daughters.
I always knew I'd be a mom, I just never imagined it would happen this way.  I must admit, that being in my 20's with the prospect of teenage step-daughters was a little scary.
But, these girls have been a dream!  Not only did I get to marry the love of my life, I also got 3 amazing, beautiful, loving, special girls that I can call daughters for the rest of my life.
I've heard there is no way to prepare for how much you will love your children and that is true in our case as well.  I've always enjoyed being around them - they are tons of fun!  But, I had not idea how much unconditional love I would have in my heart for each of them.

It isn't always easy to know my role or to act on it, but I wouldn't trade this role for anything!  I love you, JAW!

This picture cracks me up!

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

November Thankful Challenge, the 4th

I'm oh-so-grateful for my church family today.  I love those people!
I am specifically talking about my family at Crossbridge.  What an amazing Spirit-filled church where everyone is a dirt bag, but we love each other anyway!
From the first day I attended a service at Crossbridge, it has felt like home.  It is my family - complete with the crazy uncle nobody ever talks about (you know who you are).  There are hurts and struggles within this family and we are always stronger on the other side.  There are so many HUGE struggles that we are walking through together now.  Every time I see the love of the Spirit pour out of a brother or sister there, I am in awe of the God who created us.
What a blessing it is!

Several Crossbridge members at the Race for the Cure
Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

November Workout Calendar

This month brought on the end of one running program and the start of another.  I'll be doing active.com's 5k to 10 app and then starting a 12-week HALF MARATHON training program!  I'm scared, but excited that something that huge is even in my sight!  I'll still be incorporating yoga and www.bodyrock.tv each week.
There is a lot of traveling in store for the month, so I'm going to have to be extra disciplined.  And then there's Thanksgiving - if I can stick to turkey and veggies, I'll be ok.  Its the appetizers and desserts that ruin me!  I've already proven I've got it in me though!
Here is my calendar for November:

Active Trainer Intermediate 5k Program

I just finished my second running program!  Seriously, that sounds so weird!  The first program was Couch to 5k.  I have NEVER been a runner.  Even when we were required to run a mile in PE every year, I couldn't do it.  I would run most of it, but either walk the short sides of the soccer field or end up walking the last lap or two.  NEVER ran an entire mile!  Couch to 5k was great for me.  I was able to run a full mile a lot sooner than I expected.  I was able to run a 5k before I even finished the program.
When I had completed the program, I knew I need something else to keep me running.  Active.com was running a special on their training programs, so I got the Intermediate 5k Program.

This program is 5 days a week of running for 11 weeks.  And I did it!  I even included a day of yoga each week for a total of 6 days a week.  Some days are built in for cross training.  I did www.Bodyrock.tv on those days.
The regular price for this program is $24.99.  That's awfully expensive as far as I'm concerned.  I have found several other training schedules on Pinterest that are just as good and completely free!  There were a few days of training that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, so I just completed the mileage required.
My speed and endurance have both improved and now I'm ready to tackle the 5k to 10k app I downloaded. I'll do that for a few weeks and then I'll start a HALF MARATHON training program!  I can't believe it myself!

   

November Thankful Challenge, the 3rd

Today I am thankful for my super fun hubby!  He is a mess, but so am I and that's what makes us work!  We really do have a lot of fun together!

He loved me in spite of myself and decided to keep on doing it.  We've been together for almost 9 years now.  I am thankful for the comfort that being together for a long time brings, but I'm also thankful that every day still has surprises.

I am thankful for our differences that challenge me and keep me on my toes.  I am thankful for the things that we agree on that give us a common bond.  I am thankful that he knows me well enough to anticipate my needs, but he is still intrigued by me.  I am thankful that God allowed this unlikely match to happen and that He is using us to make a difference to those we love. 

Told you he's a mess!

Day 1

Day 2

Give Away!

I've decided it's time to give something away.  First up...something I made myself!

I'll be adding these to my Etsy shop soon.  But, the first batch will go to my first winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pizzadilla

Yummy!  Who doesn't love pizza and quesadillas?
Who would love to eat them and not have to run 500 miles to burn all of the calories?
Who would like to eat both of these low-calorie dishes at the same time?
 ME!!!
This one is so fast and easy - and the Hubby LO-HU-VED it!  Kids will love this too!

Ingredients:
2 low carb tortillas
2/3 cup shredded skim mozzarella
12 pieces of turkey pepperoni
sliced veggies such as mushrooms, red onion, and bell pepper
1Tbsp butter
Jar of pizza sauce for dipping

Directions:
Spread 1/6 cup of cheese on half of the tortilla. Pile on half of the turkey pepperoni and veggies and sprinkle another 1/6 cup of cheese on top.  Fold tortilla in half.
Melt 1/2 Tbsp of the butter in a skillet over medium heat.  Place the filled tortilla in the pan and cook until the underside begins to brown and cheese starts to melt - about 3-5 minutes.  Flip it over and cook another few minutes until the other side is brown.
Warm 1/3 cup of the pizza sauce for each pizzadilla.

So quick and easy and tasty!  Seriously takes less than 20 minutes start to finish and each quesadilla with the dipping sauce is less than 275 calories!

November Thankful Challenge Day 2

Today I'm thankful for the children in my life.  I've always loved little kids and I've been very blessed to have them around throughout my life.

Today I get to spend the day with my little boyfriend, M.  He used to spend A LOT of time with me last year and we really bonded.  Now I get to spend the whole day with him!  He is getting close to 2 years old, so he's a lot of fun!

I can't wait to hear how many new words he has learned!

6 months ago - his last day full time with Mrs. Mandee

November Thankful Challenge

I'm going to try to post about my gratefulness every day of this month.  Care to join me?

DAY ONE:
I am thankful for my health.  I had an eye exam today with my sister, Dr. Kennedy at Shaeffer Eye Center in Madison.  
I need contact lenses or glasses to see.  No big deal!  And I live in a country where corrective eyewear is not only available, but I can choose from a wide range and even have it delivered right to my door.
Other than needing a little help to see far away and a few back aches, I am a pretty healthy person.
After taking care of my parents and being around so many sweet friends dealing with cancer, I appreciate my health even more.

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life."  Ezekiel 37:4-6