Check out the meter!

Yep that's right! Check out the meter! I knew I was going to go over the calorie count on Christmas day so I decided to step up the exercise a bit this week (that why I did the 3 Mile walk lol). It paid off! I lost another 2 lbs! Yahoo! I didn't quite "lose" that 10 pounds gain, but since....well....tomorrow really is another Holiday....maybe we will see if I can lose that extra 1.5lbs this week to make the 10 :) Happy New years Eve all!

My exercise Goals..

If you notice, I have added a new list to my blog and it is My exercise Goals for 2008. I can do well at a diet, if someone tells me what to eat or what not to eat lol. However, my huge issue is exercise!I have to exercise in order to loose weight...no bones about it. I can eat well and stay within my range all I want but if I don't exercise I might as well forget it. 1st of all, I joined Spark People earlier in the month and have been able to stick with it. If you have ever joined weight watchers online, this is VERY similar. Instead of counting points (as in WW) you count calories. You will set up a profile with what you weigh, and how much your goal weight is. From there they calculate your range of calories you should have per day. Every day (or every time you eat) you log in what you ate and the calorie count is done for you. Also, if you have your own recipes at home, there is an area where you can enter all of the ingredients from your recipe and once again, it calculates your calories for you!



Spark people also has an area for fitness. They come up with some strength training exercises for you and you "check them off" as you do them. Also they have an area where you log your fitness. There are many incentives and groups/communities to help answer questions and act as support. Now to my goals for 2008....



Since I have started Spark people I started back to Leslie Sansone's Walk Away The Pounds . I started off with the 1 mile walk and I did really well so the following day I went to the 2 mile walk without using weights. Last week I was able to use the 2 mile with weights, then yesterday I was able to do the 3 mile without weights. Well today I was able to do the 3 mile WITH weights! YAHOO! It has been a long time since I have been able to do that:) We have been scrimping and saving to try and work our way out of debt, so therefore we had decided to take our money that we received for Christmas to put towards "paying something off." However, my next goal is to do the Leslie Sansone 4 mile walk by the end of January/Beginning of Feb and Kyle told me to go ahead and get it :) So I will be keeping this in plain sight as a constant reminder!!!

The kids on Christmas

Christmas around here was so great..I really could not of asked for a better time. The kids were tickeled to death with their gifts. It is so heartwarming to see my kids open their gifts, and say a heartfelt "Thank you" with excitement for each and every gift they recieved, Makes me think we are doing something right :) Here they are with a few of the gifts they loved :)

Noah and his Pirates of the Carribean mp3 player...he really was thrilled about this!

Maddie with her "load of Barbies"

Katharine with her Butterfly kit

Merry Christmas to me...

What a way to start off Christmas! On Christmas eve I was downtown, having a cup of coffee at my favorite coffee shop and visiting with a friend when I receive the call....THE call.....the one you never want to have the day before Christmas.........It was my darling husband, "Honey, the washing machine busted. Its irreparable. We need a new one." ARG?!?! Really? Is this a joke? So we head on over to the used appliance store. I go in and check and do not see anything I like...much less anything I was willing to pay $150-$175 for. I kept telling myself.."it's OK...as long as it washes clothes.." blah blah blah Kyle came down and asked me if I found anything that I liked...I kind of shrugged my shoulders...nothing real impressive, not to mention I was a little leery of spending that much $$ on a used machine (OK more than a little leery). He went in and I kept saying to myself.."If he sees something he wants to get..its OK, we will be fine...it is his decision.." and so on. He comes out and says no dice...yeah!!! I told him I would rather wash at the laundry mat a couple times a week then come home to use the dryer instead of spending $$ on a machine I was really not thrilled with.

The decision was then made...he will head off to Lowe's and I will head to Sears (hey...that's all we have in our little town here!) and if we saw anything we could call each other. I walk into Sears, the guy asks me what I was looking for...when I said "A washer" he led me back to the clearance items. At first he showed me a washer that was almost in our price range...and it was sure nice. It was a top loading Whirlpool with all the extras..I called Kyle and he said he was on His way to see if we could really stretch that $$. In the mean time I walk around to the other side. They had a washing machine sitting in between the stoves......a front loading Kenmore (watch me drool). not only that, but it is an HE that will not only help to lower our electric bill and water bill, but it will cut down on drying time (it spins so much water out that we are using almost 1/2 the drying time that we needed before!). SO after a few washes I really started to get into it an now I love it...but not for all the reasons I listed above....

CHILD LABOR! Yes Ladies and gentleman...this is the best Christmas gift EVER....HELP!!!!! And as of now...the kids still think its "cool" to load the washer and dryer LOL

Merry Christmas from the Caswells!

For those of you out there dying for more pics of my adorable babes....wait no longer:) these were taken yesterday after our morning service:)

The Christmas 10 I will not Gain!

That's right folks....I am NOT gaining the 10 pounds that usually happens between Thanksgiving and New years..as a matter of fact, my goal is to lose 10 pounds. That's right! Take a look at the ticker and you will see I am one more pound down...only 3.5 left to go..Yikes! I think I will make it! Or at least come close :)

My BEAUTIFUL daughter!

Just for you to see...my daughter and her *new* eyes! After our Dr. apt today...this is what Katharine came out looking like...Isn't she just gorgeous with her new eyes???

My 1st day of CVS "steals"

I am soooo excited about my CVS "steals"! Here is a pic of my 1st round...

*batteries- $5.29, then a CVS $5/1 coupon, and then a manufact. coupon $1/1 Free plus overage!
*2 aquafresh-on sale for .99- then a $.75 coupon for each
*Schick Quatro Power razor- on sale for 7.99, then a $4/1 coupon- $4 in ECB
*schick Quatro disposables for women- on sale for $5.99- $2/1 coupon- $3 in ECB
*2 playtex sport- reg $4.99 a piece, then a $2.50/1- $2 in ECB

This sale- Total of sale items: $31.23, take off coupons and I paid $12.18 AND I got back $9 in ECB!








my 2nd transaction went as follows

* Tylenol cold- $5.99- then a $1/1 coupon
*Tylenol 10ct- $2.49-had $1/1 coupon, then $2.49 back in ECB..Free plus overage!
*4 bottles of Lor. Pro shampoo- on sale BOGO, then had 3 $1/1 coupons
* 2 bottles of excedrine- totaling $20.48- $7 in coupons and $10in ECB back
Total before:$49.92- total after: (including more $2 off a$10 purchase and the previous $9 in ECB) is......................$12.20!!!!


The rest is as follows (several different transactions)

*4 packs batteries- sale $5.29 a piece, then a $5/1 coupon a piece, then I found a couple that had $1/1 coupons on the package- then $5 in ECB back
* 2 TMNT action figures (not shown as they had to be wrapped immediately lol)- $4.99 for the 1st, then 50% off the next..I also used a $2 off a $10 purchase on this transaction too
* a pack of gum- sale .99
* Car stickers- .99

Should of been: $33.12, What did I pay :)??? $4.71 and I got $5 back in ECB :) SWEET!

Total should have been $114.27, My actual total out of pocket was $29.09, AND I still have $15 in ECB to boot!

For more on CVS and how to get more bang for your buck check out Money Saving mom!

The Mom before Christmas

I dont know where this came from...but I thought it was cute :)

THE MOM BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Twas the night before Christmas,

when all thru the abode

Only one creature was stirring,

and she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping,

all snug in their beds,

while visions of Nintendo and Barbie,

flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring

in front of the TV,

with a half-constructed bicycle

propped on his knee.

So only the mom heard

the reindeer hooves clatter,

which made her sigh,

'Now what is the matter?'

With toilet bowl brush

still clutched in her hand,

She descended the stairs,

and saw the old man.

He was covered with soot,

which fell when he shrugged,

'Oh great,' muttered the mom,

'Now I have to clean the rug.

''Ho Ho Ho!' cried Santa,

'I'm glad you're awake.''

your gift was especially

difficult to make.''

Thanks, Santa, but all I want

is some time alone.'

'Exactly!' he chuckled,

'So, I've made you a clone.''

A clone?' she muttered,

'What good is that?''

Run along, Santa,

I've no time to chat.'

Then out walked the clone -

Her identical twin,

The same hair, the same eyes,

the same double chin.

'She'll cook, she'll dust,

she'll mop every mess.

You'll relax, take it easy,

and she'll do the rest.

'Fantastic!' the mom cheered.

'My dream has come true!''

I'll shop, I'll read,

I'll sleep a night through!'

>From the room above,

the youngest did fret.

'Mommy! Come quickly,

I'm scared and I'm wet.

'The clone replied,

'I'm coming, sweetheart.

''Hey,' the mom smiled,

'She sure knows her part.

'The clone changed the small one

and hummed her tune,

as she bundled the child

in a blanket cocoon.

'You're the best mommy ever.

I really love you.

'The clone smiled and sighed,

'And I love you, too.'

The mom frowned and said,

'Sorry, Santa, no deal.

'That's my child's LOVE

she is trying to steal.'

Smiling wisely Santa said,

'To me it is clear,

Only one loving mother

is needed here.

'The mom kissed her child

and tucked her in bed.'

Thank You, Santa,

for clearing my head.

I sometimes forget,

it won't be very long,

when they'll be too old

for my cradle and song.'

The clock on the mantle

began to chime.

Santa whispered to the clone,

'It works every time.

'With the clone by his side

Santa said 'Goodnight.

Merry Christmas, dear Mom,

You will be all right.'

~Author Unknown~

Christian women...always a blessing!

Last night we had study up in Osgood with some great ladies in the church. I always love to head up there as I get to see things not only from other women's perspective, but from women I don't see everyday! I must add too how encouraged I felt last night. It had been a long time since I felt that encouraged!



Also I talked with Tammy yesterday, and I had not talked with her in months. It was so good to hear her voice! We got to talking about some things that I really needed her perspective on...so it was great...and also encouraging!!! We also both mentioned about how we just will never get through a Christmas season without thinking of each other! We have sand so many of the Point of Grace Christmas songs together, we can't just hear those songs without thinking of each other! We had a lot to talk about as evidenced by the phone bill......we got on the phone at 11am and got off at 3 lol. We are a bunch of blabber mouths lol!

Bee movie

Last night I took the kids to see Bee Movie....if you haven't seen it yet...it was "OK." the kids enjoyed it but I expected much more from Jerry Seinfeld......

HUGE Praise!!!!!!

It seems like we are always the oddballs (no comment from you Lori). We don't allow our kids to participate in many worldy things, our family "looks different", we homeschool ..and the list could go on and on. On top of that, lets add into the fact that for the past several years we have been in the only ones in our congregation in our "specific" stage of life...as in having small children in the home...that is until recently! Another couple has started attending our congregation and they have 2 small children (5 and 2) and guess what...THEY HOMESCHOOL!!! How awesome is that ?!?! I was talking about our homeschool group tonight so I am hoping to get her to come to some of our meetings or participate in the field trips. It was hard being the odd man out before...with the other kids in our church attending school..how NICE it is to have another family that shares our outlook! I have been praying for this for a long time. Things had gone so well until one of my best friends moved and then I felt so lonely there and really struggled with things. There really wasn't anyone there I could talk to...no one there was in that "specific" stage of life...so I am really praising God tonight for hopefully a new friendship!

The 14 days of Homeschool....

To the tune of "Twelve Days of Christmas.

On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me,"Can you homeschool legally?"

On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me,"Do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fourth day of homeschool my neighbor said tome, "What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fifth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me,"YOU ARE SO STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the sixth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me,"How long will you homeschool, YOU ARE S0 STRANGE,what about P.E. , do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the seventh day of homeschool my neighbor said tome, "Look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the eighth day of homeschool my neighbor said tome, "Why do you do this, look at what they're missing,how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the ninth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me,"They'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool,YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the tenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me,"What about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what aboutP.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the eleventh day of homeschool my neighbor said tome, "I could never do that, what about graduation,they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool,YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the twelfth day of homeschool my neighbor said tome, "Can they go to college, I could never do that,what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, What aboutP.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the thirteenth day of homeschool I thoughtfully replied: "They Can go to college, yes you can do this,they can have graduation, we don't like the prom, we do it cuz we like it, they are missing nothing, we'll homeschool forever, WE ARE NOT STRANGE!, We give themP.E., and we give them tests, they are socialized, AND WE HOMESCHOOL LEGALLY!

On the fourteenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How can I get started, why didn't you tell me,where do I buy curriculum, when is the next conference, WILL PEOPLE THINK WE'RE STRANGE? I think we can do this, if you will help us, can we join P.E.and we'll homeschool legally."

Ultimate Paintball

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SNOW!!!!!!

Our day started off a little disappointing.....the kids went to my sisters last night to stay the night, then head to the movies this am. I woke up around 8:00 and saw the snow....humm.....being as we live in the country..things always seem to look worse out here than they do in town. I called my sister to see if they were still headed to the movies today...she thought they could make it into town so the movies were a go. A little while later, they got out on the road and realized things were worse than they had originally thought and were bringing the kids home. I knew that when she said that....I would have 3 disappointed kids...but I knew one would be crying (because the world is over lol). Katharine is one who has to have a schedule and a routine. It's not that its just "nice" or "makes things easier." She thrives on routine and she has to know what comes next. Before she heads to bed at night she always asks "what are we doing tomorrow?" Not just a general question...she wants an exact accounting of what is going to happen....if you "stray" from that schedule we get melt down city. She actually did very well until later on in the afternoon when she just needed a "reality check."



At any rate....what got their mind off of that???? SNOW!!!! The kids stormed through the door to go get extra clothes on to play in the snow! Maddie kept running around outside yelling "Merry Christmas!!!!" It was too cute:) I of course had the excuse that "I" had the camera so no one was allowed to to throw snowballs at me LOL.

Katharine in the snow

Noah's HUGE snowball

Katharine and Noah



Katharine...isn't she beautiful????

Noah...my handsome little guy

Maddie...cute as a button

Papa trying to avoid getting hit...see that white dot heading for his arm?LOL

hey...what happened to my bike?!?!

Styky

If you are one who enjoys instant messaging and keeping up with contacts then styke is for you.Styky is a web based community that allows you to keep up with other from the palm of your hand. In other words, you cell phone, blackberry, or other mobile hand device. Everything is downloaded into one central area of Styke, and you are then able to change faces, keep up with friends, any several other services. The free service is for those who like to be "linked" constantly. If you are unsure if your phone is compatible, there is an area on their website where you can double check. They can check your phone by manufacturer, model, and cell phone number. Also this is compatible with Facebook, for those of you with this blog service.

How does this work? As said before, everything is downloaded into one central network and from there you can keep in contact with those you want, and even avoid people that you choose. they have a great FAQ section which is bound to answer any questions you may have. You can also take a tour of their website if so desired! If networking is something that is of interest to you, check out their website for more information.

This post is sponsored by Styke

My day yesterday :)

Oh wow was yesterday nice! We woke up yesterday, watched a bit of TV and cleaned. Around 12 I took the kids out for lunch at pizza hut. The older 2 had met their reading requirements for November so they earned a "Book It" coupon from pizza hut (for those of you who don't know what "Book It" is...is is a program that you sign up for at the beginning of each school year. You set certain reading "requirements" for your kiddos and if they meet those requirements they earn a coupon for a free personal pan pizza). All 4 of us went out to eat for $7 including tip! Not bad! Kyle had his Christmas dinner at work so he actually got out of work at 1. He came over and picked up the kids to go home and take naps/do reading time (Noah and Katharine each have to read for 30 minutes every day). I was actually able to do some errands....ALONE! BY MYSELF! WITHOUT KIDS!......wow was that weird lol. I ran to CVS and did a little shopping and then headed to Walmart where I stood in line for 40 minutes to make 1 hour photos (silly I know). After that I headed downtown where I picked up an Eggnog Latte at my FAVORITE shop, Madison Coffee and Tea and then headed to The Birdhouse...Katharine's favorite shop. I was able to look around for quite a while and finally decide on the last few things to get her for Christmas.