Where do the weekends go?

Kristopher turned 9 on the 22nd, and since we didnt see him until the weekend, we made it a special one!  We had originally planned to play laser tag, but apparently the place that we had planned to play at has closed down.  Our friend, Thomas, also shares a birthday with Kris.  They are only a year apart.  We thought that it would be a great idea to get together with Jennifer (We missed you Kyle), and take the boys bowling.   Let me just say, I am not a bowler.  Kris, Sebastian, Tommy and Riley shared a lane, and all of them did MUCH better than me! The adults - well part of them - bowled in another lane.  My parents just sat back and watched, and Im sure got a great laugh.  Nana helped Riley get her ball going, and that 2 year old bowled like a champ!

After about an hour of bowling, we took the party to Cicis.  That place has alot of business, its hard getting in the door during lunch time.  We waited out the crowd and ate lots of pizza....well they did!  What is Cicis without the kids playing in the arcade.  The adults chatted alittle, at least during the time we could actually hear each other.  To end the birthday, the birthday boys wanted Marble Slab.  We walked next door.  Most of us were so full that we had to share with our significant others!

Since Thomas had plans for the evening, and will definitely get to spend the night next time, Sebastian and Kris had a sleep over in our living room..  I love having kids around!  I got up Sunday morning and got them donuts.  Its such torture buying donuts, fresh ones at that, and not being able to eat one.  Just to clarify, I could eat one, but my lap band would NOT be happy. 

We spent Sunday afternoon in Corsicana.  The Cinergy Cinema is a really neat place.  The boys played putt putt, rode go carts and played video games!  Im pretty sure they had a great time!  We stopped at Old Mexican Inn.  We love their food! 

So the weekend came to an end, and here we are at Monday again!

Until next time...

Staci

Week in Review

This has been an interesting week by far.  Last weekend we were wearing short, having a picnic, and playing at the park.  This little girl was loving it!

On Saturday evening, my Mother in Law called and suggested that we take Kris to the NFL Experience.  It probably is a once in a lifetime experience, so we decided to brave the crowd, go out and see what the hype was about.  We were even more excited when Amber and Caleb joined us.  Kris loves Amber, he would probably talk her ear off! We got some pictures of us in uniform, Kris playing a game or two, and some of the atmosphere.  If you ever get a chance to go, you should!

I think we all look much better as Dallas Cowboys!

Has anyone noticed that there is not one, single picture of Steven?  Im not sure how that happend!

Then of course, Amber and I need a picture with the "team"....well, at least one member of the team!

Us with Tony Romo

After the fun of the weekend, we settled back in to the work week, or what we thought would be a work week!  Monday was a fairly decent day...except the fact that I started feeling pretty crummy.  By Monday night, the winter weather had arrived. ICE, and lots of it.  I had already decided to call in sick, but with the roads as icy as they were, I probably needed to stay home anyway.  Wednesday was not much better, but I was still feeling bad, so I slept in....All Day!  Thursday, I felt better, and the roads were on their way to looking better as well,  so I headed to work.  I had my appointment for my lap band fill that morning, so I decided I would make the trek there, and it took me 3 hours round trip. Im sure it will be worth it.  We had heard that we would possibly have a "dusting of snow" overnight on Thursday into Friday morning.  This is what we woke up to....

Front Yard

Backyard

I would say, this is a bit more than a "dusting"

Since Kris was with us Thursday night, we got up and decided to "shovel" some snow.  We had to have him in Ennis by noon, so we headed out about 11.  Even though its only about 15 miles, we made it with about 3 minutes to spare!

So far this weekend, Steven went back to work, and I havent done much.  I have been doing lots of studying, and trying to keep up in all of my classes.  So far so good!

Well Im off to get a few chores done, go pick up the birthday shirt that I bought Riley (more in another post), and make some fried pickles for the SuperBowl Party.  Its really hard to believe that the big game is being played about 20 miles away.  We will be cheering on Graham Harrell and the Packers!  Graham is an Ennis Alumni - and his dad was head coach for the last 10 years for the Ennis football team.  We would love to see Graham win a Super Bowl Ring!

Toodles until next time-

with Love!

Staci

Feeling Human Again

After sleeping about 36 of the last 48 hours, I have started to feel human again!

I have called in sick the last 2 days, and with the roads as nasty as they are, I probably killed 2 birds with one stone.  I finally got out of the house today and went to walmart to pick up a few things.  As I walked out of the store, the wind gust was so hard and cold, it took my breath away.  I guess I havent missed too much while Ive been cooped up in the house.

I also attempted to "ice skate" on the back porch.  After about 3 minutes, I came back in the house - much warmer in here!

Also, tomorrow, I have an appointment with my surgeon..  I think its about time for a fill in my lap band.  Im only supposed to be able to eat 1 cup of food in one sitting.  Over the last couple of months, my meals have started to get larger.  Basically what happens is, all of your organs are surrounded by a layer of fat, even your stomach.  When the band is placed, there may be a layer of fat just below the band, like a cushion between the band and my stomach.  As you lose weight, well in my case I havent lost much since my last fill (13 or so pounds) - that fat shrinks, making the band looser, causing me to be able to eat more.  850-950 calories and about 60 grams of protein is my target, and Ive found that this range is my weight loss range.  Anything over or below this causes me to plateu.  As of today, when I woke up, I weighed 235.0.  I cant remember the last time I saw that number.  My starting weight before surgery was 296.4.  That makes for a total weight loss to date of 61.9 pounds.  I hope the Dr office scale cooperates with me, I hate getting there, getting on the scale, and seeing the number I had hoped for. 

The baby journey has begun and is in full swing.  I currently have birth control implanted in my arm, but that is at the advice of my surgeon.  He does not want patients getting pregnant less than 18 months post op.  Since I plan to down to 175lbs before getting pregnant, I have 60 pounds to lose.  I will have the birth control removed in September (I will be 18 months post op), and hopefully the last of the 60 remaining pounds will be gone.  I cannot wait to expand our family, and see what is in store for us.

Love you all,

Staci