Yeah!

I just had to post a brag. Sadie got a speaking part in the little program her grade is doing next month at school. She's just bubbling over with excitement about it. I'm so proud of her!

Christmas is coming...

And I find myself browsing etsy drooling over items, I could never break down and buy myself.
Items such as these fancy aprons. I adore the vintage charm, the sweetheart neckline, the little pocket. Or what about these rubber gloves? I love these!

Or something a little more practical like this camera strap. The soft fabric would be much kinder on my neck than the stock strap I'm currently using. Especially on a long shoot, or while toting my telephoto. On the subject of camera equipment, there's always a new cover for my shootsac. I've been drooling over the lavish and splendid covers for some time.

Last year during the Holiday season, we were haunted by toy recall after toy recall. After Christmas was over, I realized I enjoyed the challenge of finding truly unique gifts for the kids. So I'm on the hunt this year. I've already started buying a few things and putting them up.
A book and new sno globe for Sadie, a computer game for Connor. Things that may end up in their stockings. Not sure yet.
We know we want to get Sadie an art set like this one, with a couple sketch pads or canvases. She is constantly drawing, and actually amazes me with her talent. I'm not sure where she got it from, certainly not me. lol
Connor is proving to be a challenge to bring in the "unique" quality. I'm really not sure.
But for Grace I found this adorable play food on etsy. I'm just not sure how much it would actually get played with. I have to keep in mind she's 4, and would probably prefer another pony over something I combed the internet in the wee hours of the morning for ;)

Matthew is posing a pickle as well. I haven't found anything yet that just jumps out at me for him.
As of today Christmas is officially less than two months away, so I guess I better get on the ball.

Doing it again...

I had so much fun on the last 5K, I decided I wanted to do it again. I didn't realize it would be so soon though! Next Saturday (November 1st) I'm giving it another shot.
Only this time- we're doing it as a family. :D
We are participating in the American Diabetes Association 5k walk. We're doing it in honor of my Grandmother, who struggles with Type 2 diabetes.
So , we're "Steppin for Nerva"
The kids are pumped up and excited, and I'm ready to go.

If you wish to sponsor our family team, just leave me a comment or shoot me an email and I'll get that info to you. Every little bit counts!

Very Excited

The other day, I was looking for something to wear. I came across a skirt that I love, but have never been able to wear. I bought it at a garage sale three years ago, it was to small at the time, but I was working hard at losing weight, so I figured I'd fit in it soon. Well, I ended up pregnant.
After Matthew was born, I tried fruitlessly to lose weight, I just kept gaining. I ended up giving away or selling all my "skinny" clothes, but I held on to that one skirt.

When I came across it a few days ago, I decided to try it on and see how close it was to fitting. Well, its not close to fitting- it fits perfectly! Its a size 18 and not a 18W! For reference, when we moved up here I was size 24W! I cannot express how great this feels! I hit a small plateau weight wise for a couple weeks, but when I stepped on this morning, down another pound. :D

The only bad thing about this is I'm quickly running out of clothes to wear! The jeans I bought a month or so ago are to big now, and I really hate to run out and spend money on more clothes when I'm going to (hopefully) shrink even more over the next few months.
My first big goal is to be below 200 pounds. I'm only 28 pounds away from that 199 number. :)
I haven't been below 200 since Connor was born. His last prenatal appt I weighed in at 201.

Update on Us

So things are going pretty good up here in the big D.
Aaron is still loving his job, and the kids are still loving school.
I'm pretty much completely recovered from surgery, I notice when I stress out my jaw aches some, but other than that I'm pain free. I'm even eating normally again, which is a welcome relief. I got very tired of soft foods!
Connor is getting extra work sent home with him from school, trying to keep him challenged. His grades are awesome, and he hasn't had to many behavior problems at school.
He went on his second field trip of the year yesterday to Safe Side City (similar to Longview's Safety City)
Sadie is on her first field trip of the year today.
The little ones are doing well at home. I'm working with some Pre-K stuff with Grace at home. Matthew is just as happy as ever. He is picking up new words every day. He's still not talking like the older two did at this age, but I'm not to worried about it. Grace talked a little slower as well, and I think its just because they have so many people to talk for them. :)
Thats us in a nutshell!

5k!

Early this morning (4:20am to be exact) my alarm sounded, and I peeled myself out of bed.
Why did I choose to awaken on a gloriously beautiful Saturday before the sun had even appeared?
My friends, Jayme, Katrina and I participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k walk today.
I have never participated in anything like this before- it really was an incredible experience.
From the cheerleaders on the sidelines encouraging us on, to the rush I felt when we crossed the finish line and I realized that not only had I succeeded, I felt GREAT! A few months ago, I know I would have struggled almost the entire way. I feel awesome- and will be doing another one in April.
My goal for next year is to be a competitive RUNNER in the 5K!! I think I can do it. :)

Pictures from our day to follow soon! :) I'm tired, and satisfied, and off to the comforts of my bed that I left way to early this morning. But, it was for a good cause, and YEAH ME! I did it. :D

How are you feeling?

I've been asked this several times. So here goes- I'm ok. If I take my pain pills on time, I'm not in a horrible amount of pain. I did wake up this morning very nauseated and got sick at my stomach. So I've spent most of the day doped up on not only pain pills, but phenagren as well.

All in all, today has been a pretty rough day. I'm hoping things will just improve from here. I really hope I'm back to semi normal, at the least, by Monday. The kids are out of school, and Aaron goes back to work. So I'm really praying for a good day.

Report Cards

Connor and Sadie got their first report cards yesterday.
They both did really well- I'm very proud of them. :)

Sadie:

Language Composition-85
Reading-93
Math-84
Science/Health-92
Social Studies- 94
PE-98
Art-98
Music-100

She made the Principal's Honor Roll, and Maverick Club

Connor:

Language Comp. - 98
Reading-99
Math-98
Science/Health-93
Social Studies-92
PE-98
Art-98
Music-100

He got three coupons for free kids meals at different restaurants. :)
He was very excited.

Race for the Cure

Dear Friends and Family,

I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the Dallas County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in its efforts to provide breast cancer research, education, screenings, and treatments for the underserved in Dallas County. Did you know that it is estimated that over 12,000 new breast cancer diagnosis are expected in Texas in 2008? I will also take part in the Komen Dallas Race for the Cure event on Saturday, October 18th as part of this program to raise money.

Please help support me in this important project by contributing generously to Komen Dallas Race for the Cure. Your tax-deductible contribution will help so many. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make your donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. However, if you would prefer, you can send your tax-deductible contribution written out to Komen Dallas Race for the Cure to me at my address listed below. If you would like, you can find more information on Susan G. Komen for the Cure and its programs at www.komen-dallas.org.

Whatever you can give will help; it all adds up! I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Sincerely,

Mandy Howe

To donate online, click here or search for my personal page at: www.komen-dallas.org/supportme

To send a donation:

New Family Picture

My mother in law snapped this of us with our new additions right before we left to take her back to the train station on Sunday. Connor is holding Cass- Sadie is holding Hally. :)

New Layout

I have a new layout and header for the month of October. :) So if you read through bloglines, you might want to open the actual blog and take a looksy.

Oral Surgery Update

I'll be having all four wisdom teeth out on Oct. 10th. The bottom two are attached to the bone which is why they feel I've been in so much pain. Top two shouldn't be to much trouble. Keep me in your thoughts.

Update

We are all pretty much doing well. I am having problems with my wisdom teeth for the first time in about a year. This time I've decided to just have it taken care of and not wait it out again. I go tomorrow to have a consult with the oral surgeon.
Yesterday, Connor was reading to me, and I noticed he kept blinking his eyes, and rubbing them. I handed him my reading glasses and had him try them, asking if he could see better. He said he could see everything better, and the blinking and rubbing stopped. So I made him an appt to see the eye doctor on Monday.
I'll update when I know anything.

This weekend we're having a visitor. My mother in law is coming to visit. Its a surprise for the kids. :)

Next weekend we're going to west Texas to see the G family. I'm VERY excited about that. :D Its been more than a year- way to long!

Thats us in a nutshell.