My Husband

I sat at the kitchen table this morning with my eggs and coffee and clicked on the ole Facebook to see a couple of updates.

I clicked on my own profile and saw the photo I recently uploaded of Tim and I on vacation and for some reason, just looking at our faces, next to each other standing there, I was flooded with love for this man.

This week, I've been a tad down on myself (see yesterday's post) and through it all, he tells me I am the most beautiful woman in the world.  And he makes me believe it.

This week, even though he is working SO hard, as usual, he is there to put the kids to bed and be with them, twice, while I have a girls night out. Because he knows that is important too.

He sends me texts throughout the day, telling me he loves me and asks how the kids are because he knows sometimes this SAHM gig can be a tad off-the-wall-Paul.

He encouraged me to attend BlogHer this year and he is already talking about another getaway for just the two of us. Oh! and he usually lets me sleep in on the weekends.  (you know, until 7:45 or so...) ;)

I don't tell you all these things or type them here to brag or say "I have the best husband" (although I do) but instead I just have to reflect on how blessed I am to have a man in my life who truly values me and our family.  He lets me know every day how much I/we mean to him in some way or another and after almost 17 years together (!!!) he loves me in a way no one else ever has or probably ever will.

So, I just wanted to let him know, here, that he means the world to me and to our family of five.

I love you, Tim, you are an amazing father and husband. And the love of my life...

In which I get depressed about having TOO much food to eat. File under 1st world problems.

This morning I stepped on the scale and the number 165 showed up.

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIVE POUNDS.

There was no wishing it away or making it change or stepping off and stepping on again and having it be different.

It WAS what it was.

And then I cried.

I cried because at one point I was down to 147.  It may have only lasted a short while but I was able to write this post and so many people were proud of me and gave me "atta girl"s and virtual pats on the back.

And I felt good.  Really, REALLY good.

And now I don't.

At 147 my stomach didn't pooch out and my other, smaller-sized shorts fit.

I mean, we're talking about 18 pounds here people.  EIGHTEEN pounds, I've gained back.

UGH.

And of course there is only ME to blame.

Lately my eating has gone from bad to worse and somehow in my head I make up these excuses that it's okay to eat that chocolate thing and this sugary whatever or that SUPER carb-y JUNK.  A whole bag of popcorn? Sure, WHY NOT!?!?

While on vacation I ate like someone was about to take my plate away any second - or maybe my ice cream cone. Yeah, SO MUCH ice cream while on vacation.  It should be illegal to consume that much in a week's time.  I kept telling myself "aw, you're on vacation, eat up!" And it was like there was a little "bad for me food" devil on my left shoulder, telling me vacation calories don't count.

I don't have any excuses except that I have not been able to run and well, I'm eating like I am still running 12-20 miles a week.  That's NOT good.  I am doing other things like Zumba and I have run some in that last week or so but the calories in just DO NOT equal the calories out (night-time snacking anyone? I'm a pro!)

The fact is I just have no willpower lately and I don't know why... it used to be in full force.  And I look in the mirror and pretend like I don't see the weight gain.  But I do.  And I'm sure others do too...

I really want to lose at least 10 pounds back because I just feel so much better that way, both physically and mentally.  I hope I can do it. I'm trying not to doubt myself.  And I will be shopping differently at the store and just leaving a lot of things there, including that popcorn.

But sometimes, I just want to know, WHY does this have to be so damn hard?

You need some Fresh Produce!

I have this thing about clothes.  They need to be comfortable AND fashionable.  Gone are the days where I want anything too tight or too funky that it makes me look silly. But, I also do not plan on becoming Mrs. Frumpy Frumperson any time soon (or ever).

When I got an email from Fresh Produce, asking if I would review a piece of clothing for them (again!) I jumped at the chance.  They make, comfortable, affordable clothes for ladies and even for girls too.  Also, most (if not all!) of their styles make for PERFECT summer vacation clothes!  I was able to narrow down my own choice because I knew I would be interested in one of their women's travel skirts.

I chose the jersey tiered skirt in daffodil.  It comes in a slew of colors and I am so tempted to get it in pretty much every color they offer!  It is the perfect length for me and especially comfortable with the elastic waistband (don't judge).  PLUS it is super cute and can be paired with all kinds of tops.  And truth be told, I could go to church or the beach in this skirt.  It's just THAT versatile.

In short, I love it.

Fresh Produce is a company started by a mom like me so I am happy to support it in any way I can.  They also now ship to over 200 countries so women all over the world can enjoy their fun, comfy clothes.

Now I just have to go decide what other colors I want... Choices, choices... :)


Please go check out the Fresh Produce line and tell me what you think or decided to buy for your summer wardrobe!

Things were going along fine...

I thought you all might like to hear K's voice and so I asked her a few questions about our Summer so far. She likes to talk a lot so I figured a little interview would be good.  And it was...until the end.

Well, you can see for yourself.

She IS cute.  Even when she gets mad. (for no reason....just like toddlers tend to do. please tell me mine is not the only one).

Be sure not to miss her EXTREME close-up about halfway through. :)





So, yeah... she went to take a nap not too long after our filming...

Happy Summer!  Don't forget to take your monkey floatie to the pool! ;-P

Time together & MEM

I was alone for a couple of hours today and what did I do...?

Tim took the boys and a friend to see Madagascar 3 and K was napping at the same time so I had a little time to myself.  Time to start one load of laundry and check people's FB posts and start working on a blog post for later in the week - all with HGTV in the background.

I walked around the house, picking up all the things that a family of two adults and three kids leave randomly sitting around like pieces of jewelry and various toys (o.m.gee the Legos) and dental floss (not used yet, thank goodness) and socks and finger nail clippers and empty snack bowls, etc, etc.

You know the drill.

I also thought about our weekend together and how we drove to Baton Rouge yesterday as a family, just to go and get out for a bit.  We do this occasionally because they have a better mall there and we go a little stir crazy sometimes in this small-ish town.  We just do.

While there, Tim surprised me by buying the earrings that match the butterfly necklace I wear a lot.  He gave it to me a few years ago for Mother's Day. He got them for me "just because".  No reason other than he knew I would like them and because he loves me.

Turns out B is too tall now for the the germ-y play area but the little kids still played and I rode the carousel with the kids after that.  We shopped a little too and we ate out at a restaurant we do not have here.  We filled out bellies and also our hearts with time together, something we do not get enough of during the week.  And I mean ALL of us, together.

My husband works so hard these days that sometimes I feel like "TGIF" means more to me now than it ever has before.

We also went to breakfast together Saturday morning after some cinnamon rolls accidentally got burned.  Next thing we knew, we were all quickly getting dressed at the promise of eggs and bacon cooked by someone else and doughy beignets with too much powdered sugar.  And hot coffee made perfect with those tiny cups of half and half.

But all that really mattered was that I was with the people I love, the ones that mean the world to me.

And that my heart was full.

It was a good weekend.


Also...


It's Miss Elaine-ous Monday!  C'mon and link up - it's so easy!


ANY "miss elaine-ous" post will do, something from your archives or something brand new! :)
Do you have a post that meant a lot to you but wasn't read by as many folks as you'd hoped? Or one that has great pictures and you want more people to see them? Or do you just have one that you really want to share!?

I'll also choose a random post from those who link up to feature on The Miss Elaine-ous Life Facebook page (please "Like" if you have not already) so even more folks will see a new post every week! Grab the button and link up!  And please visit some of the other linkers as well...













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If you do not post the button, please still link back to my blog, even if you just put a little blurb at the end of you post such as "It's Monday and I'm being "Miss Elaine-ous" over at The Miss Elaine-ous Life!" - Thanks!! Oh and extra bonus points to anyone who puts a tweet out there, that would be awesome too!  
Thanks for linking up!

2 years ago...

Some people think I take too many pictures. 

Perhaps "some people" are my husband or the lady who looked at me funny while on vacation a couple of weeks ago, taking a photo of my daiquiri. What? It was GOOOD.

But I truly believe that photos give us a glimpse back in time that our minds just cannot.

Like this one for instance.

I would NEVER remember or keep this image in my head if it was not for the fact that I had my camera out one Summer afternoon 2 years ago, snapping away while my little ones stood all together.

I see and REMEMBER so many things when I look at this photo.

Like how B used to like to dress up like a mouse and even had a full on fascination with mice in general.  And now?  Just a tad thankful that phase is over.  But still happy to look back on it.

And I see G's baby face was still around.  Not so much anymore.

And K, well she's still a baby.  A BABY in this photo, bracing herself on our coffee table that has even MORE scratches now.  And that chubby little arm.  I just wanna gnaw on it.

Some of the toys on that toy shelf no longer exist in this house and there are new ones there now.  The drawing of "Woody" that B made, on the bulletin board in the background is now framed in his room.

We still have that container of crayons and it's literally filled to the brim.

None of them can fit into any of those clothes anymore...

Sometimes my days are a blur.  One runs into the next and time passes and the next thing I know?  Two years have passed.

But my camera, it makes me remember.

So, PASHAW to all you camera naysayers out there.

I'm gonna keep using mine all the time, thanks.

:)

Tips for Road Trips

So, you've seen the pictures, and the playing in the sand and surf and the happy smiles by the ocean but you know it took about 8 hours to get to the beach and 9 to get home the next weekend right? Yeah, unfortunately it was raining almost the entire way and there were several car accidents. :(

Anyway, that means LOTS o' time in the car.  WITH THREE KIDS.

So, I thought I would throw out some ideas for making it mostly bearable (Since we are off for another trip to TX in a couple of weeks and I need a refresher after blocking out the last trip).

Let me start by saying if you do not have a DVD player already in your vehicle and you are traveling long distances with 2 or more kids or any kid at all ever, you are CRAZY.  Get one and figure out a way to rig it up and have headphones at the ready so you do not have to hear Finding Nemo 4.5 times. You know, unless you really like Ellen Degeneres' voice THAT much. I do not.


Bring baby wipes - I don't care if you're kids are 13 and 15 you WILL use them, even if it's just to wipe up your own coffee spill.  "Baby Wipes. Not just for Wiping Poop Anymore!"


Make sure you have the MAIN necessities.  Remember that time you forgot diapers and there was a blowout in the middle of nowhere?  You don't???  Ohhhh, I do.


Snacks, Snacks and more snacks.  This includes drinks as well.  Pretzels, peanuts, popcorn, whatever your kids like.  And yes, this trip IS kinda like the circus so those snacks seem extra appropriate! Our actual favorites are M&Ms, fruit leathers, nuts, actual fruit like banana or apples, and yes, pretzels too.  Maybe even some chocolate covered ones.
(p.s. one of THE coolest features of my Odyssey is the "cool box" that is at the bottom of the middle console - keeps 4 drinks cold. And no, they did not pay me to say that.)


Other activities.  Believe it or not the kids may get bored with movies and may not sleep as much as you think or at all so bring some books, and coloring books and crayons and play the license plate game and point out cows.  It's fun! MOOOOOO!


Get out of the Car!  Find a nice rest stop on your way and actually have a picnic lunch. There's a great one on our way, in Mississippi where the kids can run and play and of course, go potty. 

Do not and I repeat DO NOT forget their "Lovies".  My oldest 2 pack their own back packs and always include their favorite pillow pets or whatever but I still have to make sure that the things K loves to sleep with are in the van before we pull out.  Otherwise, there may be rough nights ahead and you're already away from home so... yeah, let's not add to that possible trauma.


Bring along Trivia Pursuit cards (we actually have a TP book) and the adults can ask each other questions while the kids are watching movies.  Trust me, you won't even hear Ellen Degeneres (you know when one of your kids refuses to use the wireless headphones, perhaps).   P.S. This idea was my husband's, he loves trivia.



Point out cool things along the way.  On this particular trip there are several big bridges, The U.S.S. Alabama battleship, and a tunnel.   But take note:  If children are asleep, DO NOT WAKE THEM to see said attractions. It is SO NOT worth it. Trust me. 

I think that about covers it.

Oh except to tell you that our next vehicle may be this one if I can find it.  I totally need that seat that faces backwards so that I can pick up every doggone thing my kids drop and distribute snacks more efficiently. I mean seriously, Honda, you need to get on that, STAT.  Because WAAAAY too many truckers saw my arse sticking up out of the front seat and that is just NOT safe.  For SO many reasons...

images source

Okay, so if you have any extra tips, please leave them in the comments, I would love to know what you do/bring/play while riding in the car with your kiddos!

Happy traveling!!

Our Own Photoshoot

The last night we were in Florida it was threatening to storm, which would of course be the same night we had planned to do photos on the beach.

Of course. (I know I already said that).

About the time we were getting ready it was literally pouring.  And then?  By the time we drove into the neighboring town where we wanted to set up (and I was over my 'we-may-not-get-photos-wah-wah wah' mini tantrum), the rain had passed and thankfully we got a pass.

I mean no one likes to see a 37-year old woman throw a fit. Apparently not even Mother Nature.

Because it was still so cloudy we did not have the stunning sunset lighting I was hoping for but we managed to get some great shots anyway and of course cloudy is pretty good too when it comes to shooting outdoors.

So, here you go, the last of the beach vacation photo dump, in the form of our family/friends/kids/couples photo shoot.

The beach really IS the perfect spot for photographs. :)

on our way to the water, we had to stop here and get a pic

we are obviously NOT above candy bribery - Mike N Ikes specifically

I promise I am done with beach photos.

I think.

Unless I sneak one in here or there... we'll see.

Dad Love

My best memories of my Father while I was growing up include things like him dancing with my mother at weddings, how he made breakfast on Sunday mornings after church and the way he hugged me when he got home from work, telling me -  "give me some shouggy" (sugar) - his way of asking for a kiss.

I would lean in and kiss him on the cheek and his scruffy sideburns would rub my soft, little girl skin and even though it felt kinda funny, I din't care.  I was so happy for him to be home, for the family to be all together again... for him to just be THERE.


Today in church our priest talked about how much God the Father loves us, all of His children.  And it struck me SO hard that my father did the same for me, day after day, week after week, year after year.  And still does.  He loves me unconditionally.

The other thought I had while the priest was speaking was the fact that so many children in this world unfortunately do not know that love.  And how unfair and simply sad that is to me.  But then, so many do know it, like my own children.  There is no doubt in their mind that their father loves them. So much.

I am not sure what it is like to be a father because I am not one.  I assume the bond is somewhat different than that of the mother's because the men did not carry and birth the babies.  However I am not sure that means is any less strong.


I am pretty close to my father.  He is not one to talk on the phone but when we are together we have some pretty good conversations and talks.  He has always been someone to celebrate my milestones and the big things in my life and someone I knew I could go to with any problem.

Back when I was in high school I got caught cheating on a Chemistry test (YES, I did, and still to this day it is one of the things I regret the most ever, yes both the cheating and getting caught!).  I was so scared to tell my father.  Not because I was afraid of the punishment or him yelling at me but because I knew he was going to be SO disappointed in me.

And he was, because he knew he raised me different.  I don't even remember if there was a punishment.  I think he knew I had put myself through the ringer enough and he was pretty certain once it was all worked out that I would never pull another stunt like that.  And I didn't.

My dad and I at my high school graduation

When I think about my father and the father to my children, all I can picture is love.  I see hugs and kisses and teaching and showing and back-patting and hair mussing and prideful smiles at a job well done.

I see children running to the door when they hear that truck pull up, after a long day of separation.  I see joy and elation and just pure LOVE.

So here's to ALL the Father's out there who love their children like they should.  Congratulations, you are making a huge difference in those kids' lives.  Maybe even more than you will ever know.

And to my Dad and my Tim and his Dad and Tim's grandfather and my three brothers, thanks for all the love you give your children. Always.

P.S.

It's Miss Elaine-ous Monday!  C'mon and link up - it's so easy!


ANY "miss elaine-ous" post will do, something from your archives or something brand new! :)
Do you have a post that meant a lot to you but wasn't read by as many folks as you'd hoped? Or one that has great pictures and you want more people to see them? Or do you just have one that you really want to share!?

I'll also choose a random post from those who link up to feature on The Miss Elaine-ous Life Facebook page (please "Like" if you have not already) so even more folks will see a new post every week! Grab the button and link up!  And please visit some of the other linkers as well...














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If you do not post the button, please still link back to my blog, even if you just put a little blurb at the end of you post such as "It's Monday and I'm being "Miss Elaine-ous" over at The Miss Elaine-ous Life!" - Thanks!! Oh and extra bonus points to anyone who puts a tweet out there, that would be awesome too!  
Thanks for linking up! Also linked up with Mommy & Me Monday! (for Daddies, this week!)