Just How Many Pounds Does the Camera Add?!

We were on Good Company today (WKYC channel 3) and I just saw the footage...ugh on my end! Every time I'm on camera I feel like it adds a good 15 pounds when I watch it back. So either I am in denial about my weight and I'm actually heavier than I realize, or it's the camera!? It makes me appreciate radio!:) Here is the footage from the show. I don't chime in until over 4 min. into it, but I hope you can sit through it and hear about Operation Families First. It's a great cause and something we really need your support with. Here's the link!: http://www.wkyc.com/video/player_goodcompany.aspx?aid=28726&bw=.

Hustle & Bustle

The countdown to Christmas has begun, 4 weeks to go! I still have so much to do but if Thanksgiving is any indication this will be a spectacular holiday season. We had such a nice weekend as a family. The dinner went great and everything turned out perfect (I couldn't believe it)!:) We put the tree up and I didn't expect to be emotional but seeing some of the ornaments and remembering past seasons made Jim and I really reflective and kind of sad at how fast it's gone already. We also Christmas cookies and the boys LOVED that! I've never started from scratch before but I saw an easy recipe in Good Housekeeping from Kelly Ripa and gave it a go. It was neat because the boys and Jim (except Garrett) could all help and it made everyone feel important to have a job. The frosting got all over the kitchen but I honestly didn't care one bit, it was just a great memory. It seems like things always test better when they are home made, don't they?!
I was going to do the Black Friday shopping at 5am but I hit snooze and never made it.:) It was either sleep or shop and I opted for the rest! I'm not one for big crowds anyway so it's fine with me and I still have 4 weeks to get r done. Lol. Well that's pretty much the update! I'm trying to lose weight because I ate wayyy to much over the weekend and we have a lot of events coming up (even a tv appearance...yikes)! Hope you had a blessed weekend!

GO Buckeyes!

I am so pumped for the big game tomorrow! Ohio State VS. Michigan 3:30 est kickoff and we will all be sporting our scarlet and gray....go Buckeyes!! We are having a football party and I can't decide if I'm more excited about the game or the FOOD! I love the atmosphere of a football game party, lots of noise and emotion...you can't beat it! We are hitting Sam's Club to stock up on food for the event and Thanksgiving (plus they are having a big taste-testing weekend, YUM)! I may have to avoid the scale for a week or so. The boys all have OSU gear except Grant and mommy so we are headed to Target to pick some up, gotta go!

Turkey for Me, Turkey for You

So much to write about, so little time! I am so excited Thanksgiving is a week away I can't wait to host the big dinner! Growing up, our house was always full of relatives, laughter, and lots of amazing smells and food. When I was 12 we moved away from family though and things were never quite the same. Each year has been a tremendous blessing whether we had a feast for 2 or 4, but I've really missed having an overflowing house on Thanksgiving. So this year, for the first time we are having a bunch of people over and I can't wait! Bring on the dysfunction! Lol. It's just so nice the boys will be able to have that memory now and we've been running around trying to get prepared for it. This is our first holiday season in our new home so it's exciting. We are the first people in the neighborhood to have Christmas decorations out! Lol.:) Jumping the gun a little maybe?! At least we are holding off on the tree, we'll break that out next week.:)

Big Sitter!

Check out the big sitter! Garrett turned 6 months old on Friday and he's right on track! He's been sitting for a while (with help) but just the past week he can stay put, unassisted! He's such a happy little guy and is coming along with eating and finally sleeping through the night. Each day I feel grateful he is thriving and so happy and healthy. It makes me want to go get him right now, he'll be running around before I know it so I want to take advantage of the cuddle time!

It's Beginning to Smell a lot like Christmas!

Yum! Jim and I were at the mall Friday when our noses led us into Bath and Body Works. We took one wiff of this and were sold! It smells like a fresh candy cane and when you put it on it has a cooling effect. They have a bunch of different types (caramel corn, etc) but this one was my instant favorite. Good place to go for Christmas gifts, they have some great incentives going on!

Get Your Tissues

Someone e-mailed me this link and it really hits home. A sad story with an important message. Make sure your speakers are turned up if you watch this, and get your tissues ready!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

Making Decorating Easy

Kirkland's is my favorite store ever for the home, I just love it! I have never walked in to that store and not been impressed, even gets Jim gets excited about home decorating there (okay the word "excited" might be an overstatement). Lol.:) They have really beautiful Christmas items now though and we've been saving to get a few things for the new house. They have a beautiful Nativity/manger scene for the yard that I really want to get but we'll see.

I am counting down the hours, tonight Jim and I are going on a date! It's been quite a while since we've been kid-free and it's long overdue. We are seeing a movie, he wants to watch "The Departed" while I'm pushing for a chick-flick but either way I'm just happy to spend the time together. Have a great weekend!

The Mom Squad!

Everything is up and running! If you haven't checked out the Mom Squad blog yet give it a look, it's wonderful! We have some pretty amazing ladies on the panel this month and many more lined up. This has been so much fun already and it's just the beginning! Click here to see the blog: www.themomsquad.blogspot.com