Merry Christmas!

So I know that this is Elizabeth's 3rd Christmas but it is so nice because she seems to understand the concepts and she tells people "no we can't open our presents until Christmas eve"... well most of the concepts.
Tonight we went to Pa's house and really confused her by opening up presents at the annual family gathering. She got a super cute yet scary doll that I think is called my very real baby. Yeah. It has magnetic toys and there are sensors that tell the doll what is there. Very smart but if you have ever been frightened before by that freaky little red headed doll Chucky, well let's just say that it is mighty creepy.
Mamaw and Pa got her some adorable clothes as well as a memory game. It's super fun because I got her operation and we are going to get to sit and play board games. Doug and Deborah got her a super cool ABC leap frog type of toy. That's so awesome because I really want her to recognize her alphabet. (sounds crazy but she knows about a third to half already)
Anyway, pre-Christmas is going well and I'm looking forward to slowing down... ok let's be realistic, being productive in a different way.

Merry Christmas to all!
- I love my life.

At the zoo

We are at the Nashville zoo!




The coolest play area!


It's not a kangaroo it's a wallaby.


This cute little goat ate my shoelace while I was trying to pet him.


FLAMINGOS!


Poor tired Ashley.


Elizabeths new favorite.


They rode the train. Two loops around. $2.25 each. Talk about a money racket.

- I love my life.

Band Aids

Elizabeth has a sore on her ear lobe and she keeps picking at it. Well today she picked at it until it was bleeding everywhere. I put this band-aide on her ear and for the first time she kept it on without flipping out. It has been on for about three hours and she has forgotten about it. How awesome is it that she is growing up and learning how to cope.


- I love my life.

Summer day 3

I feel bad because I am not doing well so far this summer. I did t write that I weighed in yesterday at 219.2 but today was 218.2. I have not touched my exercise machines yet but I am going to the zoo today. I spent Friday night and Saturday morning knitting a blanket for Carrie the speech lady at school. Brooks brought me a soda for the last two mornings. I ate at olive garden and they served cake. Last night I did some work for school and sAturday Night we went coupon shopping.

I do not feel like I have worked towards any of my goals but today is a new day as I climb out of bead at 11:15. So sad.


- I love my life.

Day 1

So yesterday was my final day of school and it is now my summer vacation! I have several goals for summer and I plan on writing everyday so that I am accountable.

Goal 1 I will lose weight. I weighed in today at (don't judge me please) 217.2! I put an exclamation point because a couple months ago James and I began trying to lose weight. He lost like 40 pounds and I lost ten and then I stopped because life got crazy with prom and graduation and acquiring tenure. So I stopped but I haven't gained it back and now I have lost eleven. My original weigh in was 228 : ( so I am excited. I have 3 pounds to go to my pre pregnancy weight. Which was this time 3 years ago. So my summer will include less sodas, sweets and of fun and exercise.

Goal 2 I will teach Elizabeth to read. I got the your baby can read a year and a half ago and I started using it but she was not interested in tv. Now she is and she has am amazing memory. So I think it is time to make my baby read.

Goal 3 I want to accomplish things around the house. I do not want to sleep away this summer vacation. I want to get up and work, finish projects, have a yard sale, declutter, and make this house organized.

Goal 4 keep Elizabeth busy. This kinda goes with the other goals but I do not want to spend the summer sitting around. There are so many places to go and I want to take time to soak in that baby before she grows up any more!

So there is my plan and I will check in daily because I need accountability so I hope at least one person is reading this. Wish me luck.


- I love my life.

Josalyn's future

Well, we had a meeting with Claire today. She is our liaison to Tennessee Rehabilitation Center. We filled out an application and we are getting the number to set up a your of the facility. The only down side is that there is like a nine month wait list.
Well and the fact that there is a strict conduct policy and I am afraid she won't last a week!
For now, all is good. Graduation is 11 days away and I think everything is done. Cross our fingers.



- I love my life.

Prom!!

Every spare second this week has been devoted to prom. Two hours spent getting her nails done, three hours plus on hair, countless money, and endless hours of planning.
Liz was a crucial part of the process. She took Josalyn to the seamstress to get the dress altered, helped choose makeup, two evenings applying different makeup styles, and not to mention the moral support.
Then there was Leiann who took her shoe shopping, To get her spray tan, to pick up the dress, to get her hair done. She picked up Elizabeth for me several times, looked through 100 pictures to help me find her hair style, and again, so much support.
Daddy lugged her everywhere to meet me while all he wanted to do is move in his apartment. Poor daddy, he is the best.
Brooks of course is my other lifeline. He took Blake to get his tux and brought him to prom, took him home and in-between took me on a date to Red Lobster. Love that man.
I have looked forward to this and dreaded it so much.
- I love my life.