Two Thumbs Up!

If you have any free time this week, you must rent this movie. So good.
So so so so good.

It's a film, from the same pastors who wrote Facing the Giants (another film I recommend). It was completely filmed with the help of volunteers, with the exception of a discounted film crew, I think. I can't emphasis enough how great this film is.

If you are married, or want to be married someday, this film is for you! Trust me.
I don't want to tell you what it's about, cause I don't want to give anything away. So, I will just tell you that my husband and I watched the movie yesterday and we both loved it! It is truly inspirational.

We watched it yesterday morning while Chloe was down for her nap. I don't think I have stopped thinking about it. It has challenged me to be the best wife I can be.

Who doesn't want to see a movie like that?

Here is the link to the movie's trailer... just in case you need a lil more convincing.

Tagged

I haven't been tagged in awhile. And, considering the lack of posts I've had lately, I figured I better do something before the 3 of you who read my blog, quit checking it altogether.

Tales of AJU5 tagged me to share 10 scraps of information about myself.

1. I love children's books. Not just love them, but am oh so passionate about them. So much so that I have considered going back to school to get a library science degree so I can be an elementary school librarian. I could spend hours in the bookstore wandering around in the children's section. I CANNOT wait until Chloe is old enough to want to do this with me. I hope hope hope she shares me love of books.

2. I can watch my favorite tv shows and movies over and over and over again. This tends to drive my husband crazy.

3. I could eat ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Every day.

4. I wish I could run. I would love to be able to go for long, leisurely jogs. I am just not a runner. I might be able to run a mile... might.

5. I have a very hard time with body image. I want to be able to be happy with the way I look and love myself for the woman God created me to be. Something is holding me back. It's hard.

6. I say "crap" way too much. If I don't watch it, Chloe's first words will be "mama" "dada" and "crap".

7. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love to see the leaves turning colors, to wear jeans and sweaters, to sit outside near a fire and drink hot cocoa. But, right now, I will happily settle for spring. Just no more winter!

8. My mom is my hero. Especially now that I am a mom. She was a single mom and did it all by herself and I can't imagine how. I struggle being a stay at home mom, with a husband and only one daughter. I think about the hardships she must have endured and it makes me love her even more.

9. I have amazing friends. Enough said.

10. I am left handed. So is my husband. I hope Chloe grows up to be a leftie too.

I'm not going to tag anyone, but if you do list 10 things about yourself on your blog, leave me a comment and let me know so I can check it out!

We survived!

Yes we did. All 3 of us.

Keith and I went on a marriage retreat with our church last Friday and Saturday. It was our first night away from Chloe. Well, Keith has spent a few nights away from her, but I have always been with her.

And, we survived.

Even better, we actually all did really well.

It was hard to walk out the door on Friday morning. I kept wondering if she would cry. I wanted her to know that we would be back. I resisted the temptation to call.

It was SO SO nice to have time alone with my husband. We had lots of "breaks" at the retreat, so we really got to spend some quality time together. Much needed quality time.

I do remember at one point asking Keith if he thought she missed us. He said, very matter of factly, that she probably didn't. As long as her basic needs were being met, she would be fine. My response, HMPH. I think she misses us.

We met a couple at dinner. They told us that on their first night away from their firstborn, they got pregnant with child #2. I immediately broke out into a cold sweat. Not ready for that. Even typing it makes my hands clammy.

We got home Saturday afternoon. It was Chloe's naptime, so of course, she was sleeping. Our friend, Julie was with her Friday night and Saturday. She told us that Chloe did perfectly. She slept all night (which was my biggest fear) and was just wonderful. I was so relieved to hear that.

So, I now know that if we leave her overnight, everything will be ok.
And, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

Nervous Nelly

That's me... because Friday will be my first night away from my daughter.

Keith and I are attending a marriage retreat with our church at a hotel in St. Louis. The guest speakers are Cliff and Joyce Penner. The entire weekend is going to be spent discussing intimacy and SEX! How fun will that be?!?!

The retreat starts at 1:00 on Friday and goes until 12:00 Saturday. My sister in law is coming over Friday morning to watch Chloe. Another friend of ours is staying the night with Chloe and will be with her until we get back on Saturday.

I am so excited for the time alone with my hubby. But, I am nervous about being away from Chloe. I hope to have everything laid out to make the least amount of work for the sitters as possible. I am such an organization freak and Chloe is on a schedule, so I need to type out my notes for them before Friday. My fear is that she will be unbelievable fussy for some reason or not sleep through the night (which she has been doing for over 6 months).

I know that everything will be fine, but I am still nervous.

A "Heavy" Post

Ok, I'm putting this out there in hopes that I feel some accountability.

I lost my pregnancy weight quickly and without any effort. (Don't kill me yet, keep reading)
Well, Chloe is 8 months old and I have put 14 lbs back on. I usually don't divulge my weight, but again, I am doing this in order to feel more accountable. At my 6 week checkup I weighed 142 lbs. Last week, I weighed 156 lbs.

I think it all went to my stomach. Needless to say, I am not happy about what I have allowed to happen.

I can make a million excuses. It's winter and we can't get outside to exercise. I baked ALOT during the holidays and ate whatever I wanted. It is easy for me to go to the fridge or pantry since I became a SAHM. Blah, blah, blah.

I feel yucky and unattractive. My clothes look awful on me. It just affects so many areas of my life. Not only that, it isn't healthy. And, I want to be healthy.

So, as of yesterday, I am changing my eating habits. I am watching my calories and portion sizes. I am making sure I get my fruits and veggies. I am not letting my snacks be the delicious, sugary kinds. I haven't decided if I am going to go back on Weight Watchers (I did this before our wedding and had great success). I am going to the gym at least 3 days a week. I have got to get the extra weight off.

My goal is to lose 20 lbs. I would like to lose at least 12 lbs by April 4 and another 8 or so by mid-May.

Feel free to be my accountability partners in this.

Makes Me Sick

My mom showed me an article in Newsweek and I just cannot stop thinking about a quote from Nancy Pelosi.

It sickens me.

Nancy Pelosi said, "States are in terrible fiscal budget crises," partly because of all they do for children's health and education. Therefore, contraception, by reducing the number of wee parasites, "will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government."

How can she refer to children as "wee parasites"? And this is the Speaker of the Senate. Wonderful.

Just Call Me Grossy Grosserman

I'm warning you- what you are about to read is disgusting.

It was 5:30pm on Friday evening. I realized I hadn't brushed my teeth yet.
Then I realized that it was not the first time since I became a SAHM that I had gone all day with nasty teeth.

And to think I kiss my daughter all day long with that mouth.

Oh, gross.