Dear Weight Loss Fairy

I have been in search of you my whole life. Where have you been hiding? I have no need of glass slippers, ball gowns, or a carriage drawn by horses. (although those things are all perfectly lovely) I am in need of something more, that must not end at the stroke of twelve. I too have been enslaved, enslaved and surrounded by good food, sweet evil nectar (Chery Coke), and a love for ice cream that does not love me back. I am afraid that my waist line has suffered the most, hips coming in at a smooth second. I have given my body over to creation on several occasions (not that I didn't enjoy these 4 wonderful opportunities) But the time has come to claim back my body and make some much needed improvements. I could really use your help in this area, for I have MUCH to loose and hope to GAIN no more. I will do my best to help in these efforts I will not rely on you alone. I will commit to exercise 3 or more times a week and I have loosened the evil nectar's grasp on me ( 1 1/2 months without). I will try to make better choices as to what I consume. Will you please use your secret powers to melt the pounds away and keep them at bay. Please come and arm me so that when the temptations come (and I know they will come) Help me to stave them off and not give into their empty calories. When my body is sore an tired help me to keep fighting and working toward our goal. when I start to look at the treadmill as my ultimate enemy please help me to see past the outer appearance of things and see that it is really a true friend to help me on my quest. If this letter finds you, please come promptly you are much needed.

With love
Mrs. B. Hansen

P.S. That Zumba class you endorse kicked my hinney. I had a great time, loads of fun, the hour and a half flew by. But today my legs are sore, my abs are aching, and I think I found some new muscles in my back that I wasn't aware of. I will return and get kicked around some more.

Look At Me

Baby "J" is finally able to get his cute little belly off the ground. He is officially mobile, good-bye every other day vacuuming routine, hello child chasing, (maybe I'll loose a few pounds) After 4 years I can finally see. My Friend told me about this place Zinnioptical.com. I got 2 pair of glasses for $20.95 including the $4.95 shipping, $8.00 a pair. I love a great deal.

Cold Weather & Warm Food

We have been having really cold weather (Florida is not supposed to be cold). So while we wait a little longer for beach season to come around, we have been enjoying hot cocoa mornings and slow comfort food evenings. (p.s. My kids think that I should get mother of the year because I can make bowls out of bread, who knew that something so simple could make them so happy?)

Twas the week before Christmas,
chaos was all through the house,
Every child was screaming,
and I can’t find my blouse.

The stockings were hung,
by the TV with care,
This house is a mess,
I doubt they’re still there.

The children are now nestled,
All snug in their beds,
While the vision of a hot bath,
Dance around in my head.

Me on the sofa,
a book in my lap,
I had just settled down,
When the kids awoke from their nap.

I stopped to freshen up,
When there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the restroom,
To see what was left of my cookie platter.

Away to the car,
We flew like a flash,
The stores are still open,
But I forgot all my cash.

I reload the kids,
And pick up a lost hair bow,
I get back to the gate,
With no I.D. to show.

Can I barrow a phone,
Before I shed a tear,
I call on a friend,
She soon will be here.

With little time left,
I have to drive quick,
I see some lights flashing,
I know it’s not St. Nick.

More slowly than slugs,
He gives me my slip,
I look at the clock,
My heart does a flip.

With no time to spare,
I finish my mission,
Cookies for one hundred,
Are nearing completion.

A sound in the driveway,
I have heard it before,
My husband is home,
And he walks in the door.

His eye’s scan the room,
As the kids run by,
They meet with an obstacle,
Mount high to the sky.

Up to the house top,
The laundry pile grew,
The toys are all over,
The furniture askew.

He gives me a kiss,
Not knowing what to say,
I give him a look,
and ask about his day.

I drew in a breath,
And was turning around,
Down to the floor,
The cookies came with a pound.

He put on his coat,
grabbed his keys off the hook,
he knew what was needed,
with out a good look.

A bundle of boys,
And a girl on his back,
He drove off into night,
And came home with a sack.

My eyes-how the twinkled,
My giggles so merry,
I chugged down my drink,
A coke with some cherry.

My droll little mouth,
Was puckered up like a bow,
I gave him some kisses,
I think ten in a row.

The crunch of a cookie,
I heard under my feet,
Told me to get busy,
And whip up treat.

I fed all the kids,
cleaned up the floor,
put the sweets in the oven,
and closed the door.

No makeup on my face,
And a overfull belly,
I took a look at my shirt,
Is that smeared jelly?

He was chubby and plump,
A right jolly boy,
and I laughed when I saw him,
chomp down on a toy.

Soon the was another,
boy wanting my lap,
One on each side,
And a girl who could clap.

We spoke soft words,
As we sat and cuddled,
I love these moments,
When we are snuggled.

The house is a mess,
The dishes aren’t done,
The kids haven’t bathed,
But we did have some fun.

I whisper I love you,
As they drift off and dose,
A rub to their soft cheeks,
And a kiss on the nose.

I sneak out the door,
And turn off the light,
Merry Christmas to all,
and to all a good night.

Christmas without Her

This will be our first Christmas without my mother. The Christmas Season was her favorite time of the year. The halls were all decked, the trees were lit up, the potato sacks where hung by the chimney with great care. The house smelled of Oliebollen, Peanut Brittle, Homemade suckers, & Peanut Butter Popcorn. We as kids we were all suited up and sent out into the snow for hours of play. LOVE was in the air.
My mom spent hours upon hours making Christmas gifts, Barbie doll tents with clothes, G.I Joe sleeping bags, Place mats, & New Pajama’s to be opened on Christmas Eve. I fell asleep many December nights to the hum of her Bernina sewing machine coming from the room above me. LOVE was in the air.
My mom always had a gift for everyone, Nieces & Nephews, Great Nieces & Great Nephews, distant cousins, people she visit taught and neighbors; many times I would ask her “Who are those gifts for?” and her reply would be “These are for those who might stop by that I don’t have a gift for”. If the Savior himself were to stop buy, our house would be in a flurry but she would have a gift. Her greatest gift was always an open heart and willing hands. LOVE was in the air.
My dad always tried to play the Grinch at Christmas time, but he never fooled me. He may watch the movie every night from the 1st up until Christmas Eve, but he was always the first one snooping, peaking and shaking all the gifts under the trees, sneaking treats out of the kitchen, or finding some mistletoe and following my mom around the house trying to get more smooches. LOVE was in the air.
Christmas at our house was always so magical. Whether you lived at home or were thousands of miles away rest assured, Christmas would be unforgettable. Hand made Marshmallow guns were assembled, ammunition was near, places of fortification were acquired, and firing would commence. Of course mom would be in the center of it all. The puffs of marshmallows would be whizzing by in all directions and there she would be laughing to tears in complete and utter joy. LOVE was in the air.
I am sad because I Cannot hear her laugh, because I cannot call her and tell her that her grandson got straight A’s, that her Granddaughter said something hilarious, that Rooster has on obsession with Peter Pan and wants to change his name, That I cannot send her a picture of her new little grandson, her namesake Baby “J” and tell her that he has her blue eyes. I may be sad but I am rejoiced because I know I will see her again, I will laugh and cry and be merry with her once more, because LOVE is in the air.
“For God so LOVED the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever should believe in Him, should not perish, but have Everlasting Life.” LOVE is truly in the air.
You may not think that you have a lot to give this Holiday Season, whether you miss a loved one, have financial setbacks, or feel that you are all alone. Remember, LOVE is in the air.

I'm Sorry, But I Have The Cutest Family Ever...

Where Have We Been? (caution extremely long post ahead)

Enough Said

Eventually it did turn into this....and than back again to how is was

My kids are obsessed with anything Peter Pan or pirates, we have seen almost all the movies and are reading the book together, needless to say they all wanted to be pirates for Halloween

We even found a cute little pirate costume for Baby J

At the last minute Dad & Mom decided to join in on the fun,

So I raided our closet and we became pirates as well.

They had this really fun Harvest Festival at a park near our house so we took the kids. They had so many fun and free activities for them to do, Including this really cute pumpkin mask.

Dad took this week off to relax and for us to go and see New Moon on Thursday/Friday (he thinks I am the excited one) So on Monday after the kids got home from school we wanted to go for a drive and check out an Air Force base that is about 2 hours from us about 10 min from our destination this happens

I have become such a Pro at changing tires thanks Matt & Sara . Between Me And Shane we had the tire changed in about 10 min. Because it was getting so late and we hadn't made it to our destination, we decided to stay and spend the night on the base we were visiting. So the next morning we went the museum on base

Alex is really having fun

We were able to sit in some jet cock pits

They also had an All Wars Memorial that we stopped to see

All in all we have been pretty busy