Little Drummer Boy

We finally got Awesome a drum set. He's always treated other items in the house like a drum (without us showing him how), so we decided we should get him a little drum set. Ivan really, really wanted to do this and has been talking about it for over a year now. Below are a few pictures from Christmas day. Alexander loves the drums. He goes between playing with those, his puzzles, and the many trucks he got for Christmas. It's lovely!

What is this?!

Ivan showing him bass drum techniques - or how to slam your foot down and make loud booms

Took to the drums instantly

Playing for mommy

His rockin' out face. It's so cute!

Did you or your kids get anything fun for Christmas? I hope you had a great Christmas. Happy New Year!

Two More Goals to Check Off

Which goals have been completed?

3. Begin writing at least 1 of my stories

&

6. Have Ivan give me a spa day

There's no real completion date since these are both ongoing. Yes, I said both. You read correctly, even the spa day is on-going. Well, not really on-going, but it's happened more than once. I've had a few spa days and at least twice as many half spa days. Every night I get one or more of the following: dinner cooked for me, back rub, foot rub, trip to the store for ice cream, cookies, or some other dessert, Awesome being taken care of without me helping, etc. I really do have the most wonderful husband in the world. I'm very lucky and I love being spoiled. So double-check on this one. Who knew Ivan would make it so easy to achieve. Thanks, love!

For stories, I have completed at least half a chapter for 2 different ones. I have a solid storyline for both, but need more formal outlines. What I really need is to partner with a real writer. I know what I want to happen in the stories, but can never phrase it correctly. Any authors out there need ideas? Contact me and we can work together. Thank God for e-mail and Skype! 

Not much more to say here. Yay for goals, and double-yay for achieving them.

Fitness Progress - Week 9

Any changes for week 9?  Why, yes. Yes, there are. J

	October 16, 2011	November 6, 2011	November 27, 2011	December 18, 2011
Weight	195 lbs	188 lbs	186 lbs	180 lbs
Chest	42 ¾”	41 ¼”	41 ¼”	41”
Waist	37”	36 ½”	36 ¼”	35 ½”
Abs	42”	40 ½”	40 ¾”	40 ⅝”
Hips	45”	45”	44 ⅞”	44 ¼”
Right Thigh	28”	28”	27 ¼”	26 ¾”
Left Thigh	27 ¾”	27 ½”	27”	26 ½”
Right Arm	12 ¼”	12 ¼”	12”	12 ⅛”
Left Arm	12 ¾”	12 ¾”	12 ⅜”	12 ½”
Right Calf	16 ¼”	16”	15 ⅞”	15 ½”
Left Calf	16 ¼”	16”	15 ⅝”	15 ½”

Down another 6 lbs. and 3"! I’m definitely on track to reach my goal. My next check is in 3 weeks on January 8th, which is also the end of my first round of Jet Set Body. With the program you have specific things to do to reach your goal before beginning a maintenance plan. I’m not at the level they have listed, but I also haven’t strictly followed the plan. No matter what, though, this is still the best plan I’ve found to help people achieve their fitness goals (excluding things like becoming a body builder).

I feel so much better since beginning this program a couple of months ago. I’m still eating great and enjoying treats, but I also work my butt off in the gym and at home. I can’t wait to see what next year brings in terms of fitness, health, and happiness.

Cheers!

Biggest Loser

At the beginning of October a group of staff and faculty members, including me, got together for a biggest loser challenge. I thought I would win, but seeing some of the other people shook my confidence. I've been using the Jet Set Body program, but definitely have had more than a few cheat meals. I love food and if I deprive myself of too many goodies then I know I'll fall off the fitness train very quickly. When I do eat something I shouldn't or overindulge (Thanksgiving, anyone?) I try to workout harder and add a short, fun workout to the end of the day. Yesterday was the final weigh-in for the 10 week biggest loser challenge. The winner was announced and it was me. I actually won! It was a very exciting day and I can't wait to celebrate the victory this weekend. I had so much support from my husband and coworkers and can't thank them all enough for keeping me on the straight and narrow. Here's to next year's goals and the road to being healthy!

Goal #8 (Studio) Completed

After I finished painting the dresser I could finally finish up the studio. Here is the room right before I moved the dresser in, but before I brought everything into the room.

A bit of a mess, isn't it? That was only about 2/3 of my stuff, but there was still a ton of it. Oh, and that coffee table you can see hidden under stuff will be a bench as soon as I get the tools I need.
So what did it look like when everything was moved in and cleaned?

Doesn't it look great?! There is plenty of room and storage, a work table, a comfy bean bag (actually a LoveSac), and all sorts of other goodies. I keep going in the room just to stare at it. haha It makes me so happy to have a place to work on this stuff. I also love that I have things from friends and family throughout the room. I have decorative items from Kai, a record player that my dad gave my mom when they were dating, prints and artwork from friends, and, of course, various things from Ivan.

Do you have a place of your own where you can relax, read, paint, build, or whatever? Where is it? What's it like? I hope it brings you joy and is a place you can think and be creative. God bless!