Working Out and Stuff

33 Days ago I started a new exercise/diet plan. Before that I had been working out about 2/3 days a week at the gym and trying to do Weight Watchers online. I was not succeeding enough to lose anything and I was really frustrated. I am very bad about cheating-I L O V E Sweets! So, I was at Sam's and on an endcap they had the Biggest Loser, 30-Day Jump Start book. I really like watching the show; I think it's really motivational and all that, and I had some Personal money burning a hole in my wallet, so I bought it. For every day it gives you exactly what to eat-3 meals and 2 snacks-and exactly what workout to do (6 days a week). Except when we needed to eat out, to see family, Pierce's graduation, etc., I stuck to the plan religiously. I never missed a day of working out and because of the way the food is laid out, I was never hungry. Sometimes I couldn't eat everything I was suppose to because I was so full!

Anyway, in the first 28 days I lost 8 lbs. and a couple of inches on my hips and chest. I have seen a new muscle in my leg and arm, and the outfit I wore for my mom's wedding-that I had to wear a girdle with-fits now, without the girdle! It's not the kind of results you see on the show, but had I not had 3/4's of a Chocolate Bar Cake at my house after Pierce's graduation I would have lost more! I show Pierce every time I see something new, and he is very supportive. He said today that he'll still love me, even though there is less to love! He better love me more! No one else has said anything. I guess I don't look that different yet, but I've definitely noticed the difference.

I'm shsring all this because I am proud of myself. That is one of the main reasons I have had for losing weight/getting fit. I feel awful about myself when I pig out on ice cream, or eat 5 brownies in one day, but I've never been focused enough to do anything about it. The Biggest Loser book has really helped me with that. So, if you see me, don't ask how it's going-I find that I start failing when I talk about it too much, but if you do notice I look different I would love to hear it! I have started the book over-for 30 more days-and my next goal is to run a 5K at the end of the summer. A 5K isn't very far, I could probably do it now, but I want to RUN the whole thing with no walking breaks. Wish me luck!

My Mom's Wedding

Way back in March my mom got married to Pete. I have been waiting to blog about it until I had some better pictures to show you, but I haven't gotten any yet (hint, hint), so I'll atleast tell you a little bit and may have to do an update if I ever get to see any pictures from the ceremony :(

In January, when she was in Indiana for New Year's, my mom got engaged to Pete. They were planning to wait a little while to get all the "stuff" worked out, but then in February, they decided to just do it. Four weeks later, they were married in the chapel in Farragut where my mom attends church. Her bishop married them, Pete's son-Doug-was the Best Man and I was my mom's Matron of Honor. Everything was very simple, but mom did a nice job of making it beautiful. Almost all of Pete's 8 living siblings were there, and my brother and his wife, Jason and Kristin, and my nephew, Quentin, were there. Mom's sister, Dale, and her two children came down from Pennsylvania, and Auntie Dale made the wedding cake! I don't really know how many friends came, but I know we were busting out of the reception room!

The week before the wedding her friend, Carol, and I threw her a bridal shower. My mom has lived and worked in Knoxville for over 25 years so she had friends there from many different areas of her life. We called the shower a "Pamper Me Shower" since my mom and Pete already have most of the "house" stuff a person could ever need. So, everyone brought lotions, jewelry, manicure gift certificates and things like that. Even though Carol got lost picking her up, my mom finally arrived and I think everyone had a fun time.






The weekend after they were married, my mom moved to Indiana. I miss her being here, but we have cell phones and she and Pete got Pierce and webcam for graduation, so it can almost be like they are here!

My Husband, The College Graduate!

May 9, 2009 my husband graduated with a BS in Organizational Management with a concentration in Marketing! After 12 years of being in college off and on, one class at a time, he started an excellerated program at Tusculum College two years ago. 49 weeks of the year he had atleast one class a week, for 4 hours, plus "team" meetings some weeks. He worked really hard, even at the end when he didn't want to, and did an awesome job. He had mostly A's in his classes and received letters from some of his professors about the great work he did. I am so unbelievably proud of him! I cried before the ceremonies began, and really cried when I saw my wonderful husband walking in wearing his silly cap and gown. I hope, even though the boys are young, that we will help them remember how hard their daddy worked and what a great example he is for them.

So, May 9th my Mom, Dad, Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill, Pierce's Mom & Dad, Pierce's Sister-Melana, and our family drove up to Greeneville, TN where the main Tusculum campus is located for the graduation ceremonies. We had to arrive really early so Pierce could practice, so my mom and I took the boys around the campus, which is beautiful, and snapped some pictures. Tusculum is the oldest college in Tennessee and some of the buildings and trees where really neat. The graduation ceremony was short and sweet, but so special because Pierce was there! He was so much taller than most of the people dressed in robes that Melana commented that it looked like he was with a bunch of little kids!

After the ceremony we drove a couple of miles to Chuckey, TN and one of the best restaurants I have been to. It is called "The Farmer's Daughter," and everything is good ole' southern cookin'. They bring everything family style and it is all you can eat, with drink and dessert included. We picked two meats and the meal came with about 12 side dishes. My aunt had made a Chocolate Bar Cake (I didn't know dessert came with our meal) so several people had two desserts! If you ever want to drive a couple of hours to a beautiful area of Tennessee and have a fabulous meal-only on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday-then this is one place I would really recommend. Next to the restaurant was a little Amish store that had everything! They even had bags of Lucky Charm type marshmallows that you could buy. I got some homemade jam and Root Beer flavor Twizzlers. While we were out to lunch we also celebrated Mother's Day. The boys and Pierce gave me the new EA Sports, Wii Active so I can workout at home sometimes, and Pierce game me a framed certificate that talks about the support and love I gave him while he was working on his degree. I cried again!

10 New Cards

I have spent the last couple of weeks making a year's worth of cards for a friend. In the process, I created 10 new cards! I'm excited about them, and have put them on my card blog if you would like to see them. I am doing a fundraiser too. It's called "Send the Boys to Summer Camp." Through June, if you buy more than 5 cards in one order, they are all $1.00 each!

I hope you are having a great last week (or close to last week) of school!
-Jenn

Easter 2009

Yes, I know Easter was a month ago, but we're a little behind still...Easter festivities started Friday with a Young Women sponsored Easter activity at church. Draven invited his friend Zack from school and his whole family came. They have another boy, Wyatt, who is 2 and he and PJ had fun together. When we got home from church my mom and Pete were sitting in our living room! They had come down from Indiana as a surprise, so it was good to have them here for Easter. The Easter Bunny came early to my mom's house, so we went over there Friday afternoon to see what he had brought for the boys.

On Sunday we had our fourth annual Potluck Salad Easter Dinner and Egg Hunt. The weather was perfect; sunny and warm enough that we could eat outside on the deck. Pierce's parents, my dad, my mom and Pete, and my Aunt Carol & Uncle Bill came. Draven and Brody got new "zip" ties and PJ wore a new white polo shirt and sweater jacket. The zip ties were neat because they are like regular ties that stay "tied" and have a zipper that makes the neck bigger and smaller. Very cool! The food was delicious as always with deviled eggs (my favorite!), Asian Chicken Salad, Broccoli Salad, Potato Salad, Ham, Rolls, Pasta Salad, and Coleslaw. We also had keylime pie and lemon cream cheese pie for dessert. All the boys had fun hunting eggs and finding their Easter Baskets. The Easter Bunny tried to stay away from too much candy this year so each boy got jelly beans and an orange chocolate bunny. Then they got whistle balloons, a frisbee, a dump truck, sidewalk chalk, and Spiderman, Ben 10, and Animal Sticker Books. The whistle balloons were the biggest hit! After you blow them up, you let them go (outside only) and they fly around whistling as the air escapes. Several of them landed on our neighbor's roof or broke, but that's ok; they were meant to be a use up and throw away item anyway.

It was great to spend time with our family, enjoying the rebirth of Spring. Getting together with family is really special to me, and I'm grateful for the real reason for Easter and the opportunity it gives us to be with our family always.

New Playlist

OK...as promised. Now that the DMB festivities are over, the playlist has been changed to our favorite tunes from the 90's and now. Ok, so mostly the 90's at this point...only because I'm the one putting it on here and I can't seem to let go of the 90's ;o) Let us know what your favorite tune is from the 90's and now, and it might find itself added onto our playlist. With my approval of course ;o)
~ Pierce