Here ya go, Cassie!

Well, I got an absolutely hilarious email today... Here is how it read....

"This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System...Do you read your email? There are members in the community that are in dire need of recieving a family update. We are unsure of the status of you and your members of your existing household. If possible please log in to the yumyumsugarcookies.blogspot.com and sign in immediately. Inquiring minds NEED to know.....( I would add the annoying BEEP.....................................BEEP.................If I knew how to do that....)
I am in the dark as to what is going on in your family....Do you still Blog???? Please.please..please...please...UPDATE

thanks...love you too...

-- Cassie Allen

Still Moments Photography"

So, Cassie, just because of your humor... here ya go. I have been in a little "world of me" here lately. Today, I had my yearly "physical" which includes, my breast check. Well, needless to say, that scares me to death. Well, EVERYTHING IS OK! Thank God! I feel so blessed and like so many prayers have been answered everytime I hear that. Keep me in your prayers, though, b/c I am a bit of a hypochondirac, and I always worry.

Isabella has also been sick. Yeah. Otherwise... It has all been fine. I will do better. Promise.

Cannot Catch a Break!

For those of you who know me well, you know that there is somewhat of a competitive nature about me. Just a little. Well, can I tell you, I had a "loser" weekend? I could not win anything. Board game? Lost. Wii Boxing? nope, got spanked. Wii Tennis?Big Fat Slaughter. Wii Bowling? Can't even describe that big loss. And then, where I was sure I would have my bragging rights? Super Bowl 42. Tommy was going to change my luck. Well, I guess we all know how that ended up. Wow. I might have to take some time to reflect on my "lack of skills" this weekend and see if I can't shake it up a little. Here are a few humbling pics.

In the process of Wii Bowling...

Yep, Tariq Killed me, too.

Ali is just glaring/gloating.

Boo-yah!

It is pouring the rain, and I am having an outstanding day! And, it is only 11 am. I got a new lens for my camera...excited. But what is more exciting, is my battle of the "bulge". I have been fat. Really fat. Still felt fat. Body Dysmorphic Disorder, maybe? Workout all the time. Yoga junkie, pitaiyo nut, bodypump master, cycle like Lance, still felt fat. Well, last week, I got into my "goal" jeans. I was excited, but disappointed in a way. Still felt huge, and thought that maybe I should have bought smaller "goal" jeans.
Well, this morning I go to Wal-Mart, and I see a friend of mine that I haven't seen in quite a while. She didn't know how hard I have been working at this. She genuinely seemed floored when she saw me. She just seemed really shocked. YES! Could it be that I am almost there?
I know, that we, as women, are probably never 100% happy with our bodies, but I had a loathing of mine. Well, NO MORE! I have finally flipped that switch! Sure, I have some stretch marks, my thighs are not something out of Victoria's Secret, but thank God I am healthy! This is my vessel to travel through this life, and I will treat it well and enjoy it! I am so thankful right now! Without God, Nothing would be possible - with him, everything is within reach!
I am going to give you a little before and after... Let me know what you think...

The Mali Man is Complete...

We are done! Thank goodness we are done!

The Man From Mali....

Oh, my son. What can I say? Could it be that he is the spitting image of my husband? Don't get me wrong, he is an amazing man and I adore my husband, it is just amazing how much alike they are. So, I get a note from school stating that they would have a project due on Thursday, the 31st. The project will consist of them "decorating" a cardboard cutout(shaped like a human) in the genre of Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, or Ancient Mali. How easy Rome would be. Greece, we have tons of books on. Does he pick either one of these? Of course not. He picks Mali. My knowledge of Mali at this point is quite profound-after in depth studies. And, the information available on the fashion do's and dont's are far and few between!! Where is the People and US Weekly that has the red carpet "Hit and Misses"? Where is Tim Gunn when you need him? Not on the internet or library - at least not that I could find. Finally, we find one - I repeat ONE- picture on the people of ancient Mali. It has been a vast adventure. When the project is finally complete tonight - I will post a pic. Keep Tariq and I in your prayers. The treacherous and trying projects of the third grade are about more than what I can handle. :-)

This one is for you, Ken!

Well, this post here is for Ken. What can I say about him? Well, actually, it could be a whole lot. Ken is my best friend. He is my children's godfather. He is family. I feel so blessed that he is in our lives. Anyone who is in the military knows, that your friends become your family. It is so true. While Ali was deployed, Ken and I would alternate who cooked dinner. The kids liked it, and so did we! (We only had to cook half of the time!) We have been through a whole lot together in the past 7 years, but through it all - he is still there. My kids absolutely adore him, along with us. So, Imagine how excited I was when I found out that he was coming to DC to work for a couple weeks! We were all thrilled! You know, you don't know how much you miss someone until you see them again. So, Ken my dear, this post is to tell you how much we all love you, how much we miss you, and what an amazing guy you are! Can't wait to see you on Friday - Miss you already.

A dissertation on Obessive Compulsive Disorder....

Ok, dissertation might be a little dramatic, but you be the judge. I think I have a problem. I am in love with tupperware. Tupperware is one of the best creations that I have ever discovered. Yes, to admit this, makes me feel, well - old. But whatever, I digress.

Today was a day of errands. We all know how that goes. Off to school, the bank, a few stores to looking for some craft materials for a project for the boy, hospital to visit a friend and new baby, and then the ever loving WAL*MART. Had to pick up a few groceries, well, quite a few. I get them home, and let the madness begin. I hate boxes and wrappers. Finding a granola box with nothing in it infuriates me. Opening a bag of tortilla chips just to find them floppy like posterboard, upsetting. Picking up a can of soup, and crackers fall on the floor and crumble up - disgusting. I think you get where I am going with this. I have spent the last 3 hours putting my groceries away to make them "pretty" and "accessible". Quite sad, really, but I really love this stuff. I think I will be a nut ball and post a pic. Enjoy my psychosis for all it is worth. And no, I don't sell tupperware, nor do I want to.