yoga for my sign! ha, it's perfect

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)


Go with feminine Hatha-style moves like the Half Moon and Cobra. Avoid stricter, more angular styles like Iyengar. Balancing poses such as Dancer's Pose or the Tree help bring you emotional stability, and the Boat helps strengthen your weakest area -- the belly. Yoga at home with a video might appeal to you homebody types

Love this work out dvd! it's 30 min. and its tough. The firm workouts are thorough, safe and effective. The instructor is great about cueing for the next move. I am a huge fan of at home workouts, Ever since I had Kate I've worked out at home. Now the kids are older, I have other options such as the gym, or bootcamp or even yoga classes. But if you want a great 30 min. work out, this is awesome!

Another Monday is upon us. Kate gets to sleep in this morning b/c its graduation exam time and the upperclassman go in late. Yay for them! Kate and I spent an hour digging through all the junky clothes at TJMaxx yesterday to get to some treasures. We found a few and it was worth it. We also spent an hour at the fabric store trying to decide what to use for the straps for her prom dress. One of her friends mom works there and she was helping us, she had some great ideas so we'll see what the seamstress says. Less than two weeks until spring break! This is going ot be a busy week. I have to sit in Joe's class tomorrow for teacher plannning, work, today, work WEd. sit in Joe's class on Thurs so his teacher can go to the teacher lunch and then Rick's parents come on Friday. Busy busy! I think Jack has a track meet in there somewhere.

Happy Birthday Joe!!!

Happy Birthday to my sweet adorable, loving, Joe!! I dreamed last night of sonograms and babies. Not quite sure where eleven years have gone. We've lived in four houses, three cities and had several different cars since Joe was born. We've met wonderful people along the way. We moved to Hoover when Joe was three so he really doesn't know anything other than bama bangs, football, road trips up north and lots to the beach. He is truly a southern boy. Jack on the other hand has a little more yankee in his blood. He thinks it would be so great to live somewhere where it snowed all winter. We moved here when Jack was 6. He remembers good times in the snow. He would probably last about four weeks in Illinois winter. He likes to wear shorts too much to live somewhere cold. Kate is all southern even though we moved here when she was 9. She is cold when its 60 degrees. Anyway, I have to buy birthday cake and ice cream today so we can celebrate in style. Rick is leaving for a business meeting this afternoon. We had a lovely weekend. I ate too much but thats okay, Everyone gets one free day a week and I always enjoy mine! Kate made a road trip to Auburn yesterday with some friends. Rick and I wanted her to go so she could get a feel for the campus and the social scene. We'd like her to stay with about 3 hours of home for school. I know she doesn't want to miss the boys special occasions in high school and going to a school that is some what close will allow her to come home easily. She said she loved it and had a great time.

Eleven years ago today I was in labor and didn't know it. Actually I was in labor the whole week and didn't really know it. Joe's due date was Feb. 27th and I was scheduled for induction on the 27th b/c my blood pressure was high and he was done cooking. Rick had a program that night, he was working for Eli Lilly at the time and Ellen and I took Kate and Jack to Heath and Melody's. They were staying the night there b/c Rick and I had to be at the hospital around 5 for my pit drip. Ellen and I went to Steak n Shake for dinner. I didn't eat anything but I did have an orange freeze. We went home, I started feeling kind of yucky and I put my jammies on and went to bed. I woke up at 2am with contractions. They were so weird b/c they didn't hurt that bad so I just sort of timed them. They were about every 7 min. I got up, took a shower, curled my hair, put make up, and then my water broke. I woke Rick up and told him that I was in labor and we needed to leave. I think he called my mom, why? I'm not sure. She was in the quad cities but he wanted her to know. I remember that the weather was really nice. It was warm for the end of February. I told Rick he could stop at the 24 hour Walgreens and get a magazine because I just knew it would be a long time before Joe would be here. He said, no he was fine. By the time we got to St. Francis, the contractions were every 4 min. and I was having a hard time walking through them. We got up to the baby floor and were greeted by a couple of nurses. I told them that I thought I was in labor but I wasn't sure. They showed me to the room, gave me a gown and then I thought I was going to throw up. I told the nurse before she checked me that I was probably only a 2 or so and I wanted my epidural. She said, no time for an epidural, you're 8cm, this baby is coming. They hooked me up to the heart monitor to see how Joe was doing. Every time I had a contraction, his heartrate would drop dangerously low, when the contraction was over, it would recover and be fine. The er dr. probably should have done an emergency C section but she didn't. Dr. Crane made it to the hospital and delivered Joe. Joe was born with the cord wrapped around his neck three times. Thankfully, he was fine but it was definitely scary seeing Dr. Crane unwrap the cord. What a night! He was born on his due date without the help of pit. I really wanted to go into labor on my own and I did. Yay!! He is so wonderful and such a blessing to our family.

Loving Yoga!

I could quite possibly do a blog entirely on yoga. I love it so and my body calls for it every day. I know that sounds silly but it's true. Once you get into the routine of yoga, the muscles and the mind and even the heart literally call out for it. I'm definitely not a rock star yoga girl but I do it almost every day., I even do it with Ralph staring at me from the bed and with Owen sitting on my head. Yoga is not a religion (duh) right? but it is highly spiritual. It is an amazing experience when the heart and the mind connect to God and prayers from the soul spill forth. That doesn't happen every single time for me. Some days my mind is rushed and the heart isn't able to connect. Some days my heart is sad or worried and the mind isn't able to connect with it. But when they meet it is awesome and that my friend is what yoga is really about. The added benefit is how it works with the physical body, that is icing on the cake. My wish for you is that someday you find the peaceful place yoga can offer. Once you do, your mind, heart and muscles will call for it every day.

Fab Friday

Friday once again! I really don't have anything pressing planned today which is kind of nice. I am very ready for my sweet Joe to come home from his camp out with the 5th grade. I miss him! I organized his room last night. We sold the bunk beds in the fall and there were still things from the desk on Joe's floor. I put all of his old stuffed animals in his closet and I put all the books that were on the desk on a bookshelf in his closet. I love having the kids room's clean and organized. Jack needs to work on his and Kate's well, Kate's is Kate's. I cleaned it before Christmas and i do that for her once a year. It is back to looking like a tornado has whipped through it. Whatever. I'm not working on it until December. She can do it.  Speaking of Kate, she pulled an all nighter last night. She had an English project due this morning and she has been so busy with other projects that she didn't get to it until last night. She got it done though. I suppose those kind of nights are preparing her for college. I remember pulling those kind's of nights. Jack has his first track meet this afternoon and this one is actually at HHS. I love it when they're close! I think it is supposed to clear up and be pretty this afternoon, not super warm but at least sunny. Kate and I need to get her prom dress to the alterations shop. Spring break is in 2 weeks and the shops will be busy. I would imagine most girls have been asked by now and dresses have been bought. I'm glad we got Kate's when we did. Kate and her friends are super excited about spring break and prom. Lots to look forward to.

The Official word on the rezoning in Hoover

Hoover High School


 Combine freshman with main campus

 Utilize classrooms made vacant by Crossroads move

 Add 24-36 classrooms

Intermediate School (Current Bumpus Campus)

 Start 5th and 6th grade Intermediate School with DVES, SSCES and TCES as the feeder elementary schools

 Move Bumpus Middle School (7th and 8th graders) to current Freshman Campus building

 Realign Ross Bridge students with Bumpus Middle School (now attending Simmons Middle School)

SSCES and DVES Zone Modification

 Re-direct Russet Woods students currently zoned for DVES to SSCES beginning with 2012 school year kindergarten students

 Provide for internal transfers to SSCES for older siblings

 Transportation to both schools provided in connection with phase in

Instructional Rationale for Consolidation of Hoover HS and Relocation of Crossroads to the Old Berry Campus

 9th grade students will be integrated with older students who can model the appropriate assumption of responsibility and self-discipline that is developmentally necessary for adolescent learners

 Expands opportunities for developing and sustaining student and parent leadership in
 
 
Joe will be bummed he isn't going to the freshman campus but I love Bumpus! Sad that the freshman will be on the senior campus. I just loved that they had the year away from the older kids and it gave them time to adjust to high school and to all the people from Simmons. At least Kate and Jack will be at the same school for a year. That is nice. And, Joe will be there when Jack is a senior and Joe will get to have two years at the freshman campus which isn't the freshman campus anymore but you  know what I mean. :)

Prayer For The Nation

I woke up a little unsettled this morning. My mind was racing about all the turmoil in the world and the news about gas prices going up to $5.00/gal this summer. When I checked my email this morning this prayer was waiting for me to read. God truly knows our hearts and our worries.

Billy Graham's Prayer for the Nation

Our Father and Our God, we praise You for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with America. We deeply need a moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face. Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace. We pray today for our nation's leaders. Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it. You have said, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." May this be a new era for America, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord. This we pray in Your holy name, Amen.

I hope Joe and the 5th grade are having a great time at Camp McDowell. I miss him. There is no way I would be able to send him off to camp for the summer. I would miss him too much. That might be selfish of me but I can't help it. I had friends growing up who went to camp for the whole summer. I used to want to go and maybe it would have been good for me but I had fun tooling around, "the heights", enjoying velvet freeze and swimming at the country club, not that we belonged to the country club but I had friends that belonged to all three and therefore, I got to go too! We had fun swimming in our pool in the back yard, playing "olympics" and the jaws game. haha. Good times. Its so funny looking back at the pictures of those summers. What did we do all day long though, like from morning til night? I guess we would just hang out and play. I'm trying to organize an envelope of Kate's pictures from when she was little and through the years for her year book ad. I know I won't have to have it ready until the beginning of the school year but I want to be sure good pics are put in the year book, and it's so crazy now with digital cameras and such, pictures are in folders on my computer and I have to go through them and get them on a cd. It is amazing how much the kids change over the years and yet they stay the same too. Kate still gives that look like, "really?" Jack still hangs his head when he doesn't get his way, just like he did in the park in Chicago when he was with Grandma Midge and he didn't have a truck to play with like the other boy at the park. I think this picture of Kate and Maddie will make its way to the y.b. I love it! It was taken the summer before their freshman year at HHS up at Wabigama.

Met Kate at the galleria to look for shoes and jewelry for prom. We had major success! I love all the beautiful sparkly shoes she got to choose from and we even found her a swim suit to boot! It is so funny how much more expensive having a daughter is than having a son. For example, spring break is coming up in about 2.5 weeks. We've bought 1 of 4 swimsuits. The boys will just wear gym shorts b/c that is what they want to wear. They do not care. Kate will need new flip flops and cute clothes. The boys will just wear their khaki shorts and jeans with t shirts, b/c they just don't care. Now on to prom, we have the beautiful dress and shoes and jewelry, hair and make up appointments, the boys rent a tux and pay for dinner. a fraction of the girls cost. I do love love love shopping for Kate. I always have. It's fun, probably b/c I'm a girl too. I love that the boys are super easy, that makes my life easier. They have their pricey hobbies too such as collecting bb guns and air soft guns and fishing lures that they lose and we have to replace. It's all good and it's all fun

2's!

I get to work in my old room today! Yay! I'm so excited to get in there and hang out with the 2's. We're going to paint and dance and sing and have a blast! It's pretty again today so we can even go outside. I miss my 2's. Maybe I'll get the opportunity to teach them again in the future. That would be nice! Had a great day yesterday in the baby room. Love those babes. They're precious and hysterical and just a joy to be around. We only had three as one was out with an ear infection and the other one was on vacation. I barely saw Kate yesterday. She was a busy bee, enjoying a bite to eat with friends after school, extra credit for law and then a good work out at snap. Joe got his shaggy hair cut and then I treated him to an ice cream cone at the whole scoop. I think that place is just what we need for our side of town. I know the kids will love going there and it reminds me a bit of the Spotted Cow. Joe said he wants to work there when he is old enough, ha following in his mama's footsteps!! He can have the scoop muscle too. Jack had lots of homework which he promised me he finished. He seems to be enjoying track and field and he is super excited about his first meet on Friday at HHS. I have to get Joe ready for camp McDowell which is tomorrow. Lots to do today!

Real Pop Corn!

Joe is a huge fan of popcorn. He loves it, eats it all the time. He definitley takes after his grandma Cj that way. I taught him tonight how to make popcorn on the stove. I have tons of memories of popping corn and smothering it with melted butter. Soo yummy! That was a huge treat when we had babysitters. We would pop corn and always put too much in on purpose so it would pop the lid up and all the pop corn would spill over!

Joy!

"Joy is all there is. The rest is a precoocupation of the ego, unworthy of your holy mind."

That darn ego! It's always getting in the way isn't it? Last night at mass, Fr. McDade's homily was about being holy. Everyone should be holy all the time and holy is not about kneeling at church. It's about love and God is love and loving every single thing right down to the butter on your toast!



Enjoyed beauty walk last night. All the girls looked great and did a wonderful job. The girls seemed confident and mature and excited to be there. There were only 65 girls this year, I think that is a bit smaller than last year and definitely in the years past. A couple of years ago 112 girls participated in bw. I have no idea what Kate's thoughts are on it and if she'll be interested in participating next year. Part of me says she won't want to miss out and the other part says, she really won't care. We'll see. Time will tell.

Just finished making my weekly menu and now I need to put it in action and get to the grocery store. I always do better when I have a list with me and a plan to follow for dinners. I do like that we are not busy in the evenings with practices as it gives us time to cook and eat and not be stressed. The fall will be a different story as Joe will play football and Jack will probably run cross country. But for now, I'm enjoying it.

Kate has her ACT class today, and hopefully we'll make it to 5:00 church.

We are seriously getting spoiled here in B'ham with this beautiful weather. The trees will be popping out their tiny buds very soon! I will definitely get outside and run and get some vitamin d to boot! Tonight is beauty walk for the hhs seniors.  So crazy that these girls are seniors, time is going so fast. I always love seeing their dresses and the entertainment from ten bucs worth. I have no idea if Kate will take part in beauty walk next year. She really isn't the pageant type but knowing Kate, she won't want to miss out either. Time will tell!  The Alabama theater is beautiful too! Here's to a fabulous day!
About the Alabama Theatre

A little Alabama Theater Hisotry....


The Alabama Theatre was built in 1927 by Paramount Studios as an Alabama showcase for Paramount films. It was used primarily as a movie palace for 55 years, with the exception of the annual Miss Alabama pagent and the weekly Mickey Mouse Club. In 1987, the owners of the facility declared bankruptcy and the theatre was purchased by Birmingham Landmarks Inc., a non-profit corporation.



The new Alabama Theatre for the Performing Arts hosts many live events, as well as films. Each year the Theatre hosts over 300 events attended by a half million Birmingham area citizens.



In 1998, the Theatre underwent a complete front door to back door restoration. The work was done by EverGreene Studios from New York City. In 8 months, the theatre went from its look of faded grandeur to a sparkling 1927 look with all the gold leaf paint either replaced or cleaned. In addition to the restoration, new carpet was installed in the ladies lounge and new drapes were installed on the stage and organ chambers.

Just posted a couple of links about running. Lord knows I'm not a  natural runner. I wish I looked like this girl in the picture but sadly, I do not. ha.  I went out for track when I was a freshman in hs because I thought the track coach was cute. Okay, wait, I should back up a second. I went to the track meeting to see about going out for track. The coach was cute but not that cute. I didn't end up going out for the spring sport. Running is hard for me but I actually got pretty good at it when Kate was a baby. I ran four miles every single day and sometimes on Sunday, I'd run 6. It got to a point where it was easy and I really really liked it. Then I had Jack and I ran after he was born. I'd push him in the jog stroller while Kate was at preschool. After Joe, it got a little harder and then we moved to Indianapolis and I just couldn't get my groove back and then we moved to Birmingham and omg the hills are sooo hard! So that brings me to today, or I should say yesterday b/c up until yesterday I was running the flat areas and walking  up the hills. With spring break three weeks away and I have a certain goal in mind, I pushed myself to run the two hills I've been avoiding. I ran over by the preserve the other day and there are some decent hills there, they're more gradual than the one in front of my house but I ran them, I did it. I figured if I could run those hills, I can certainly run the ones out front. Maybe doing that will blast my hips and thighs into shape! that would be nice. Rick always says exercise is about 2 weeks behind. So what I'm doing today should be noticeable by spring break. We'll see!

Best 10 Benefits of Running

Best 10 Benefits of Running

Run up hills



One of the absolute best ways you can tone and shape your butt and your whole lower body for that matter is to run up hills. The incline that the hill provides adds some amazing resistance to the workout and puts your body on an angle that really pushes your glutes muscles. It is also a powerful fat burner. All in all this is one of my favorite lower body exercises.

Another beautiful day today in the 'Ham! I had a meeting this morning and then I puttsed around at Target before the fun run at Joe's school.  Sooo happy I could be there to see him run and run and run. He really is a natural runner like Rick and he loves it. Days like today are exactly why I dropped back to two days a week at the play school. I love being able to see everything Joe's doing in 5th grade. I know he loves for me and Rick to be there. Next year might be a whole different story when he is a big 6th grader! All the kids seemed super excited about the run and the HHS cheerleaders were there too which was cute. I was actually surprised there weren't more parents there. Maybe a lot of moms and dads couldn't leave work for it. I understand that as that was me last year. Rick went though.  5th grade is such a crazy year as far as the difference in boys and girls. I remember when Kate was that age, she was taller than all the boys and now she is only 5'2.  There are a couple of really tall girls in Joe's class. I know we don't grow very tall people here at the Leventry's but that doesn't mean we don't try. :)

Jack seems excited about his schedule for freshman year. He is applying to be in the Law Academy. Kate has truly enjoyed being a part of Law at HHS. It is a lot of extra work for being an elective but it has taught her how to research and write papers. Kate is very driven when it comes to work and studying. She works hard for every A she gets. She is sometimes up all night working on law papers and knows that she never wants to be a lawyer. We've told Jack that its a lot of hard work being in an academy at the high school. He is really going to have to step up his studying game to do well. I believe he can do it, he will just have to make up his mind that it is important.  He is really so smart but sometimes, he is tends to be a little lazy about going the extra mile. Hopefully that is just his fuzzy 14 year old hormones talking right now and he'll get past that!

Soo Spring Break is coming up in 3 weeks! We are so very ready for it and we all need a break from our usual routine. Going to the beach means swim suits, cover ups, flip flops, sunscreen even if its chilly, beach towels and who knows what else. Kate needs some new swim suits, and I need to find a couple of new tops. Loved the red strapless swim top crazy Michelle wore on the bachelor the other night. I like my shoulders and I hate wearing anything around my neck so I hate halters. The sprapless seems to be the best choice. Its just hard finding a really cute one that will last more than one season although my very favorite top came from the Panama City Beach Wal Mart several years ago! It's the one I'm wearing in this pic with Lauren. I don't know if I will be able to squeeze one more season out of it. Being 40, its hard finding one with a nice fit! The search continues. Kate and I found several cute Betsey Johnson suits for her at everything but water. A little pricey but the fit was great so we need to head back there and buy them!

(whidbey Island)

It is absolutely gorgeous outside today! Love days like this. I ran preserve parkway after work today. I just needed some different scenery and running in bluff park is always nice esp. the preserve. I think I'd like to live in there when the kids are all gone. Our house will be paid off so we can just take the money from this house and buy one of the cute cottages in there. I think I ran about 3 miles today which is great and there are some hills on that road! I got to do a 20 min. work out this morning before work and Rick and I will probably walk later. I love our walks, thats when we get our talk time in. We've always done that even before Kate was born. I remember walking down Forrest Hill 7.5 months pregnant, it must have been the February thaw b/c it was warm but there was still some snow on the ground. Rick and I walked Kate when she was a baby in the evenings and we walked Kate and Jack in the double stroller when Jack was a baby and when Joe was a baby we'd let Kate walk, push Jack and use the baby back pack for Joe. So, I guess our walks have really been an important part of our relationship. Come to think of it, we used to take hikes when we lived out on Whidbey Island. They usually ended up with me running into a huge tree or tripping over a tree root but they were fun.

Vonnie and I had a wonderful day with the babies today. Our room is so fun and sweet and I think all the babies are now walking. Ha and their personalities are coming out, they're so darn cute! We were laughing today because we were having to tell the babes, don't step on your friends, don't push your friends, be sweet to your friends, don't walk on your friends. haha. I said, omg, everything we are saying to them, pertains to teenagers too. lol. So funny how the rules are the same from 1 to 90 years of age. All the other rooms got to go outside today which was so great for them. We had a sleeping baby at noon so we didn't get to partake in the early spring sunshine but thats okay. Maybe next week.

Joe will be home in about a half an hour. He was one grouchy 10 year old this morning. Whoo! he is usually sooo sweet and loving but he woke up on the wrong side of the bed and he was having none of it. Hopefully, he has had a great day and he is happy when he gets off the bus. I love being here when he gets home. Jack and Joe both always walk in the door and say "hey". I would be so sad if I wasn't here to say "hey" back. Kate is working today, Jack has track. I think Jack went to the freshman center today but I just read an email saying that the freshman in the fall will for sure be going to HHS. the 5th and 6th grade will for sure be going to the intermediate school aka Freshman Center. Whatever. It'll all be fine. I'm excited Jack and Kate will be together. Joe wants to go to the intermediate school. He's excited about meeting new kids from Trace and DVE. Although he loves his gang too.

Hair and Make up appointments have been made for Kate for prom. I don't think kate has had time look at hair styles. Last year she wore it down but I think I'd to see her with big soft curls and maybe a side loose bun. Who knows, whatever she chooses will be beautiful. Lauren is booking her flight tonight so she can be here on Thurs evening so she won't miss one thing for the big Friday prep! I'm anticipating Kate and Lauren will be doing all of that together. I may not get to tag along. Thats okay, it'll be so special for them to be together.

When placed in God's grace the possibilities become limitless.

Had a wonderful day just working around the house, ran a couple of miles, did an arm work out, painted some trim, did some yoga, cleaned a little, Teresa comes tomorrow! Oh how I love Teresa. lol. She is fabulous! Can't believe she's been with us almost a year. Just chatted with Kate about colleges. I think she is excited and nervous all at the same time. I think the kids think that college is going to be this amazingly awesome experience and I keep telling Kate, its life. Just because you're in college doesn't mean that much changes. You're older, you have more responsibility and its important to remember that. She has had a really great high school career. She loves her friends and she loves her classes. I want her to enjoy right now! I keep telling her she will never get this time back. I know all parents tell their kids that and children of course are like, blah blah blah whatever. haha.

She is so excited about prom and her dress! She and her friends bought their dresses last week. You really have to buy early or the one you love will be gone. Last year Kate went with a senior and it was his prom, she loved her dress, we loved her dress and it was perfect for her. She looked fabulous in it.  This year is her junior prom and she is excited to do some sparkle. Kate likes classic, simple, yet timeless. She has always said she doesn't like anything too "prommy". Some girls just try too hard. Kate always says, "It's a dance not a recital." Kate and her friends seem to choose very classic dresses which look so great on them. This year's dress is similar to last years as it is strapless, and it is straight but it definitely has a punch to it! It is old hollywood and she and her date will be gorgeous! Both Kate and her date will be on sb together so hopefully they'll both be sporting tans. I'm sure they will. I love seeing  she and her friends dressed up, I know they'll be so beautiful and so excited! I'm glad she got to go last year, she had a great time. This year will be really neat as she will be with her friends from forever and that will be great. Hard to believe they're getting so old!

Really need to be painting the trim but I got stuck on the ibloom website. Love this angel! She would be soooo presh in my bathroom and she'd make a fabulous gift for me! :) Just sayin!!!

Looking another beautiful late winter, early spring day smack dab in the face! Hot Damn! Had to take Joe carpool so he could get the Alamo project there safely. I was going to let Jack have a TP (teen privilege) day today b/c he needs to have some labs done for his thyroid but he said he needed to be at school for a science test and a computer test. So, he is at school. I'm hoping to do some yoga and then definitely get outside and run a couple of miles. I'm getting into a groove with the running and thankfully the weather is improving. I hate running into the wind though. Ugh! It is so hard. The only consolation is that it takes more energy to push this body in a running motion against the wind so I have to be burning more calories!!!! Right?? I always know when I'm in a groove b/c my body just calls for the exercise and I love that feeling! I'm making Veggie soup today, love having that in the fridge and I'm craving steamed broccoli with Mrs. Dash seasoning and a little melted cheese.  Definitely a must have today. Have to say that I had the bestest breakfast! I love the Kashi waffles, 2 waffles, 150 cals, 5fat grams and 7 grams of fiber. I drenched them with thawed blueberries and a dab of cream cheese and honey. Ohhh! soo yummy! love love love! Just sayin! I read yesterday that there is a study showing that men and women should eat lots and lots of berries as they look to prevent parkinsons. What isn't fair about this is that the men can also consume other fruits to help with this but the berries only work for us girls. And, if you want good Abs, eat lots of cruciferious veggies! Broccoli has tons of calcium and awesome phytochemicals too, to knock out cancer cells.  3.5 weeks to sb11! I'm getting excited to be with the boys and Jayne. Praying for decent weather.

Kate was asked to prom today by one of her good friends. He asked her to meet him at the driving range so they could hit golf balls and when she got there she saw Prom? spelled out. Super cute! She is really excited and I know they'll have a great time. They've had a crush on each other since 6th grade and dated on and off. Her dress will be beeeaaautiful with his baby blues too. :) It was an absolutely beautiful day today. I ran outside and I think I actually got a little much need sun! Hopefully tomorrow will be great too.

Happy Valentimes!

Yesterday was a beautiful day. I took Kate downtown so she could work the mercedes marathon after party for a belles event. All the belles looks so cute just floating around in their pretty dresses. I think they all had fun too. What a cool event. I told Rick next year, we are running the race! Not the marathon but the 5k for sure. easy breezy. I told rick he could run the half but he said teh 5k was more his speed. I love the charities it supports too. I think they had 7000 people this year to run in the 10 year anniversary. They really couldn't haven had a better day for it.

Sooo Happy Valentimes! I alwasy loved it when my toddlers said Valentimes instead of tines. Soo cute. I love this holiday. It is easy breezy, pink and yummy. I love having an excuse to eat chocoloate and buy some flowers! Its just a fun holiday. This year, I bought the bama kids cards and stuck some cash in there. Lauren will get her package sometime this week and I think she'll like whats in her box. I hope so anyway. I think we're going ot have a beautiful day! Enjoy!

Slimming Blueberry Tea

I realize I post a lot about food and such but its kind of a weird passion for me. I love healthy food and I love finding ways to get good stuff in my body. I remember the era of the '90s when the thought of consuming a fat gram would send me into convulsions. Now I try to get at least a Tbsp of Organic Virign coconut oil a day. Anyway, I love this line of teas. Try them! The Blueberry Slimming Tea is awesome!http://www.yogitea.com/

Spring Fever Sunday!

It is an aboslutely gorgeous morning! Rick is out at the lease with Jim predator hunting. Thank God he has a hobby that he adores and can go and do boy things. I think he and Jack are going to fish later this afternoon. Kate is working the Mercedes event for belles. Once again she gets to wear her beautiful yellow dress and the temp will be just right for it b/c that is a lot of dupioni silk to wear! She also has her act class this evening. Maybe Joe and I will make it to the preserve today. He has to work on a project with his friend and classmate, JP. I think they're doing their project on the Alamo. I really don't know. Joe doesn't really seem to know either. Thankfully, Pam knows. I said I'd bring the paints and all craft items for them to use. We learned yesterday that Hoover is rezoning again. Okay, what really needs to happen is people need to stop building houses here! Seriously, we are full. no more! I know building is progress blah blah blah but we are progressed out. This is what is happening in the fall for the kids and the schools. There will be no more freshman at the freshman center. The freshman will go to the senior campus. Now I know scores of kids have done this in the past and survived. I realize that but I loved having Kate at the freshman center. She loved the freshman center. This is the year that the two middle schools come together and having them in one place together is really great. They really have a good opportunity to meet new people and get to know the people in their class. Now, I do kind of like the idea that Kate and jack will be at the same school next year. That is kind of neat. Just thinking about little Jack at the big high school makes me a little sad. Now on to Joe. The 5th and 6th graders from SSC, DV & Trace will go to the freshman center which I guess will be called an intermediate school. Its a great facility and they're so lucky to get to use it! Then after the intermediate school the 7th graders will head to Bumpus for 7th and 8th grade. Which makes sense b/c of all the sports. Kids can't participate in sports at Bumpus until 7th grade anyway. So thats that. I think they're planning on builing on to HHS. Its crazy really. Poor planning in several areas. But as much as I love Hoover and I really do, I see it all the time, poor planning. They build subdivisions w/o the roads to support all the people moving into them. It is all so backwards and I'm sure will eventually be fine as they just go in and do the roads later. Its really amazing that the city planning people couldn't forsee any of the progress happening. Its been growing like crazy for 20 years here.

HHS

Freshman campus

Rick and kate belles

Strapless Sundress!

We didn't end up making it to the preserve today to hike. Rick and I decided to walk at the high school instead. Lots of people walk around the high school, it is a great place to exercise and it was a beautiful day. Joe and his group went roller skating. I swear, they are the cutest boys out there! We took kate lunch at Wrapsody. There were certainly a lot of people shopping today. Wrapsody was really busy and Kate was wrapping several presents. Spring is is definitely just around the corner. It is perservering even though its been cold. People are working in their yards, raking, mowing, trimming crepe myrtles. We are having steaks on the grill tonight. I love pouring a lovely glass of chardonnay on nights like this!

How much weight can you lose eating vegetable soup? | Answerbag

How much weight can you lose eating vegetable soup? Answerbag


I love love love veggie soup and preferably the one I make in my huge soup pot here at home! 32oz of chicken broth, portabella 'shrooms, bag of frozen veggies, sometimes fresh green beans, sometimes frozen, onions, garlic, and def. lots of tomatoes. I eat this all day long, I love to put a few texas toast garlic and cheese croutons in there. I think you get three for 30 cals and 1fat gram. Not bad! So yummy and filling and just basically down right awesome for you!

Sunny Saturday !

Kids are all still sleeping, dishwasher is humming quietly, dogs are basking in the sun and the first load of laundry is waiting for me to transfer it to the dryer. Rick is on his way home with a box of hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts for the boys. I'm craving veggie soup. I think we are going hiking again today at the preserve. Yay!!

Today I did my 30 min. Firm Fit dvd, ran 2.5 miles and walked a mile with Rick. Love working out! Jack is off to the movies tonight and Joe is hanging with a friend. Kate is working and then who knows. Won't be surprised if she comes home and crashes. She was up most of the night working on make up work.  I'm hearing bits and pieces of boys asking girls to Prom. I think it will be fun when Jack can ask although, I might be stressed b/c what if the girl says no. That would break my heart. How could any girl say no to those beautiful eyes?

Sunny Friday!

It's Friday and it is sunny! Whoo! Everyone went to school today. Thank goodness. Kate made it to her ACT class last night. She said she really loves this class and feels confident that it will help her do well on future tests. I got a sample of lunesta from my Dr. whom I love! she is really great. Anyway, I went in for a consult about some medicine and she asked if I sleep well. I said no way, I haven't slept well in so long and taking melatonin never helped. She gave me samples of Lunesta. she said its non habit forming. I loved it! I still woke up in the middle of the night b/c Kate was working on several projects after being out of school but the difference was, I was able to go back to sleep and really sleep. I feel really good this morning! I have a chiropractor apt. at 10 and then I'm doing a little shopping.

I've taken time this week to remove myself from all the dumb unwanted emails! I am addicted to scrolling down and clicking on unsubscribe. For so long, I'd just delete but no more! haha. I was getting emails from a local sporting goods store, no one in the Leventry family plays that sport and I just gave away a couple pieces of equipment so I was quite happy to click on unsubscribe! I also unsubsribed from Saks, even though I love Saks, I never shop online with them esp. through emails, I unsubscribed from several coupon sites, I never even visited their site, and I unsubscribed from several news sites. total liberation! ha.

A year ago today, Kate and Rick went to Tennessee and picked up Owen! I can't believe he's been here a year. He was the cutest puppy and he is a very cute puggle. I have to say that I'm happy last year is behind us in more ways than one and Owen being a puppy is definitely at the top of the list. He is the sweetest dog, and we love him!

new house bug.....not so fast!

More snow in the Ham! Another two hour delay for the kids this morning. I actually love two hour delays. We all get to sleep in and just sort of take our time waking up. Kate was home again but she is definitely doing better and she'll be at school tomorrow. I know a lot of kids have been sick this week. Rick made it home from GA and we got a good walk in, even though it was chilly!! I think its going to start warming up soon and we will certainly welcome warmer temps. I love watching the buds on the trees, they're there. It won't be long and this cold weather will be a distant memory. So, I got the bug to move to a different house on Sunday. We're not moving, but I get the bug every year about this time. I'm just bored so I always start looking on line to see whats out there. I didn't look long. I saw an article that said housing prices in the metro B'ham area are down 11% from last year and last year they were down 10% from the year before. So, with that being said, we're not moving b/c I love my house, it is perfect for us. We just put the fireplace in outside and I love that, We are comfortable in our mortgage and moving really is yucky. The past two moves, we've done through LIlly coroporate. Easy breezy, they bought our house, we made good money on both houses and they supplied us with a relo card which was fabu!! They sent people in to take inventory of our stuff and then they sent people in to pack our stuff and load our stuff on the truck, including Rick's car. They moved us, unpacked us and we bought them taco bell. We paid for nothing, infact, we made good money on the deal. So, the thought of us doing that by ourselves when we are in a great house with great neighbors is really dumb! I know that most companies aren't doing big relo's anymore and they aren't buying houses from their employees. I hate that. I think if a family is going to up and relo the company should really take good care of them as it is difficult to move a family. But, companies are companies and they look at the bottom line and I"m sure it does them no good financially to buy houses in a losing market. Thankfully, we don't have to worry about that. I love living here and really don't want to move anywhere. Well, maybe south Florida or St. Thomas! I need it warm but that will be when the kids are done with college.

Kate tried on her prom dress for Rick and he approved! Thank goodness b/c you cannot return formals. We did have a little drama with the dress amongst the friends but I think everything is okay. There are so many beautiful dresses I know all of Kate's friends will end up with  looking gorgeous.

It was a beautiful day today. But, I was not feeling well, and Joe was home again with his cold. He is feeling better and he will be at school tomorrow. I checked Kate out of school this morning b/c she has a sore throat and a headache. :( Boo on being sick!! February is a tough month to get through, we are so ready for spring but we still have a few weeks.

Lauren moves into her new apartment today! Yay! I know she will be so happy to be one step closer to having her own place. I can't wait to hear all about it.

Well, we did it! Boom, we found Kate's prom dress in like five seconds. Thank You God! she and her friends tried on a bunch of dresses this past weekend and then we all went to the shop today after school. She fell in love with this one particular dress and even though it was more than I wanted to spend we bought it. Its beautiful and perfect for Kate. She loves it. yay!!! All the girls are so excited and I know they're going to have a great time.

Joe was home sick today with a yucky cold. Thankfully, Rick was in town so he was able to kind of check on him while I was at work. jack had track practice and seems very excited about being a part of the track team.

Another Sunday on tap, the Super bowl nonetheless. it is actually nice outside and and sunny. Kate is at her ACT class. She is taking the 8 week class, a lot of kids took the one day class at the high school today. Some of her friends have private tutors. We chose this route, we'll see what happens. Rick just pruned the crepe myrtle out front. If he killed it, I won't cry b/c I really want a white one, that one is pink. I don't love the pink with our brick but if it lives, thats fine too. Joe is still at Ryan's and I hear Jack on the xbox. He was hoping to go fishing today but no such luck. Kate and I went to Saks last night to look at their formal dress selection. We've bought all her dresses there except two and this year we were really disappointed. They didn't have a good selection at all. They actually have a lot of last years out on the floor. She did try on a beautiful white dress which would be good on her with her hair and with a tan. The dress was gorgeous, it had an organza rouched bodice and it had fabric rosettes on the skirt, it reminded us of a cupcake. The only problem was is Kate really needed to be 6' tall to wear it. Thank goodness it wasn't the perfect dress b/c it was $510.00! Thats a little over what I like to spend but I know if she loved it and it was perfect I would have totally bought it b/c I have a soft spot for dresses. She still wants to go to Cullman and to Jasper to look at dresses so I guess we'll do that some time soon. This is our first spring that we don't have a child playing baseball. I was a little sad that Jack didn't want to play anymore but I have to say, its actually really nice. He is running track and as long as he does something, I'm fine. I want him to run cross country in the fall at the highschool. I know a lot of boys are going out for football. I hear there are 80 boys out for freshman football. Jack hates lacrosse so that is not an option for him. And he isn't a soccer player. I told him to just pick something to do and get involved. Hoover is too big to not do something. Kate has done a lot at the school and she has met a lot of great friends that way. It'll be fun to see what Joe chooses. He loves football now but he has a few years before high school. I hope he continues to play. I think the football program is really great at HHS and coach Niblett would be great to play for. We shall see.

Just dropped Jack and Carson off to fish. Jack ordered new lures for his birthday and they FINALLY came today. He was so excited. It was snowing earlier but now its just kind of gloomy out and not super cold. Hopefully, they'll have some luck and catch something. Kate was out with friends last night after having major success trying on prom dresses. She found one, it is gorgeous and just perfect for her but, we didn't order it yet 1). b/c she doesn't have a date yet and 2). it was the first shop she has been to. You can't return formals and since they have to order it anyway, it doesn't really matter. Hopefully, if she ends up wanting that one, no one else from HHS has bought it first. We'll see! Joe is kind of hanging out here. We crawled back in bed after breakfast this morning and watched the movie, Hoot. It was really cute. Rick and Jack went out shopping, and to lunch, Kate had to work from 10-2. Not sure what she has planned for later. I'm still working on painting the trim and doors. I'll be doing that for the rest of my life I think. I bought a new work out dvd so I need to try it out.

The time has come to start shopping for prom dresses! Prom here is early, we lose a week b/c of spring break so the dress must be purchased in February so we are sure to have enough time to find shoes and then for alterations. I loved Kate's dress last year, it was so pretty on her and the color was great with her hair and skin. Not sure what she has in mind for this year. She isn't one to go for the "prom" look. She doesn't like anything too shiny and sparkly on her. We'll see. She is out shopping with her friends now, can't wait to see what she says about this year's selection. This picture is Kate and Jillian before the night began!

Rainy Rainy Rainy! Boo on rain. Although, we did have a 2 hour delay this morning which I so love. Two hour delays are like the best of both worlds. We all get to sleep in and the kids still go to school so it counts as a full day. Whoo! Joe and I are in the process of planning his birthday party. We made out his invite list of 9 sweet boys and its going to be a roller motion party. Joe's group is too cute and I love all of them. He is super excited. Kate came downstairs this morning and said she almost cried when she was listening to Darius Rucker's song, "It won't be like this for long." She said, mom when he talks about the little girl in preschool, that reminds me of me. Aww. I said, I know, it makes me sad too. I always say being a mom is bitter sweet. Its so great and wonderful and sweet but letting go and moving forward is good but it is hard. Kate said there is a pep rally today and she hopes it would be canceled. She usually gets to scoot out of school before the pep rallys but she said this one is in the middle of school. She hates them. I think the only ones who like the pep rallys are the kids who are trying to pep everyone up and maybe the mothers who are there to watch them, which totally makes sense. I remember when I was a cheerleader, I loved them but not so much when I wasn't on the gym floor. I think the football season rally's are probably better but Kate says no. lol. Jack informed me he and Carson are going fishing tomorrow and then he is staying the night at Carson's and they're going to Buffalo's to watch the big fight. Love it when Jack has a plan. He is usually scheduling Rick down to sharing a diet coke together. I know he'll be back home to watch the superbowl with his daddy in the man cave! I'm still working on the bathroom although it is mostly finished. Now its just accessorizing, buying new towels, fun bath things and I'm going to paint several canvases to hang in there. The trim is going to take me a hundred years to finish in the house but I can do it, one room at a time. I'd love to go out for a run today but it is so nasty that I think I'll have to pass. Although, I realize I'm a little slow to jump on this, I kind of want to try out zumba. My friend, CArrie and I want to take a class but I think I'm going to buy the dvd first so I can get used to the moves. I haven't danced in so long but geez, I see all kinds of people zumbaing so I am sure I can get the hang of it. It looks like Rick and I will be going to Hawaii in May! Rick is so excited and proud of his team for doing so great. It is really hard in the pharma world these days to earn trips and good bonuses. He had a fabulous year last year and he deserves gold cup! Years ago, in the good ole days of pharma it wasn't so tough but things have changed so much and pharma is very much watched by big brother so when you hear a pharma team has earned a trip, you know they really really earned it! Yay Rick Leventry! It hasn't been officially announced yet but the numbers pretty much put him in 1st or 2nd, top 3 go. I've never been to Hawaii, I mean, you can stick me on the beaches of Destin, FL and I'm happy, but I don't see us getting to Hawaii anytime soon so this will be neat. We just need to be back for 5th grade graduation. If it overlaps, I'm going to have to forfeit, b/c I will not miss my sweet Joe  Joe walking down the halls of SSC! I'm so excited for Lauren! This weekend she is moving out of the basement and into an apartment. Whoo! This is such a neat time for her, doing things on her own and finding her way. she has done so great, Rick and I are so proud of her as I know her parents are too. I'm looking forward to sending her valentines package too, it has some fun things in there for her new place.

Still painting the bathroom. It's painstaking but it'll be worth it! I'm home today which I love so very much. Tried my swim skirt on that I bought last year and never wore b/c I hated the way I looked in it. After trying it on today, I am not as repulsed by what I saw, I think I'm making progress with the 1200 cals a day! Now, I'm not saying I'm exactly where I want to be but sometimes its okay to say, you know, this is good. I'm 40ish and I've had four children, the baby pouch isn't going anywhere unless I go under the knife and I'm not really willing to risk my life and miss out on all this fun on planet earth just to have a perfect tummy. So, I am cautiously optomistic that by March 12th, I will be able to wear that swim skirt out of the condo and on the beach. It's gloomy and cold here, boo on Februrary! Joe was asking last night to stay home from school today to wait for his air soft gun to arrive in the mail which may or may not come today. I said, no way dude! Jack was less than pleased to get up and get going. I think 13 and 14 must be two of the toughest years for boys. Jack is changing so much. He is eating everything in sight, growing like crazy, and he is tired! I think it was easier having Kate go through puberty than Jack even though Kate was way moodier, I think the boys make it look painful. Jack's knees hurt and his legs hurt. All those growing pains. He still has a baby face which I love so much! He is a good boy and a sweet boy and a boy that loves his daddy!! Kate was up at 5:15 this morning. She has always gotten up great, ever since forever. She hasn't had to work this week which has been nice. She's been able to go to the basketball game and to a friends birthday dinner and shes even been able to come home and take a nap. I love that! We are all looking forward to a few days at the beach. Its a crap shoot with the weather in March. Last year wasn't so warm but the year before was great. Either way, the beach is great and we always have fun. I'm excited to stay at the Sun Desitn again. It has everything we need and more and we won't be in the middle of HHS drama. I love all the kids but I do not like being in the middle of their social lives. No thank you! Speaking of the kids, It has been such a joy watching Kate and her friends grow up. They are certainly turning into wonderful girls and I love that. They all have different interests which is awesome. I can't believe in 16 months, they'll all be parting ways. I wonder what Jack and his friends will be like at 17? And oh goodness, Joe and his gang, the class of 2018! Wow!!

I'm taking a short break from painting my bathroom. Painting is very therapeutic for me. I really love it and it gives me time to think. Tonight as Kate was leaving to go to the gym, I was thinking that she is really growing up. I mean, I've known that for a while at least since she's been driving, it has felt like she is really growing up but we've recently been talking about colleges and she's taken the ACT a couple of times and is getting ready to take the big prep class for the ACT. She's not a northerner at all. She would never consider going to school up north even though we do have family there. She needs her mom and her dad even though she would not admit that to anyone. If she went farther than 3 hours, she really wouldn't be able to come home except for the big breaks, Thanksgiving and Christmas. She's always wanted to go to Ole Miss in Oxford, MS. We visited there this fall, we both loved it and it was exactly 3 hours from our front door and it was an easy breezy drive. She could totally do that. She has never really entertained Alabama even though, that would make me very happy as I know I went there in a previous life! She says its just too much like Hoover and she would like to get a little farther away. Okay, I get that. She doesn't like Auburns campus and so she doesn't want to go there. For a while she was thinking about SCAD in Savannah but when she was researching it she decided it was just too far. She said, "Mommy, I really just want to be close enough so I can come home and see the boys go to their dances and I want to be there when they take pictures." She knows that is so important and  she is so blessed to have a big sister to be able to come for prom this year and see her get ready for the dance. Hearing Kate say that made me think, Wow! okay then, we've done something right. We've given her roots and she will have wings, but thankfully, her wings will not carry her too far out of our sight.

Loving the chocolate truffle in my bathroom!!! It was definitely time for the green to go and this color is perfect. It's the same color I painted the front room over thanksgiving. Love it!!!! Have you ever thought of the word emotion? I was reading a book last night when I woke up at 2am! The book is called What Does God Want? I'm not going nto tell you here what God wants, you'll have to read it but the author was talking about the word emotion. And, he put it in simplified terms, terms, I'd never thought about before with this word. Emotion, is Energy in motion. Hmm. So true!

This song is in my head. I remember singing it at vacation bible school when my Great Grandma Kathryn was alive and serving us cookies in the kitchen at Mt. Calvary. At least I think it was Mt. Calvary, I could be wrong about that though. "I"ve got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart, Where? down in my heart to stay." I remember thinking that you could replace to stay with today. haha. Either way, its good to have joy in the heart, a good energy to put into motion!

The other day, I had a lovely post about how beautiful it was on Sat. and that me and Rick and the boys went to moss rock preserve to hike and we were laughing at the people with the back packs and their hydration systems and kate went on a long hike with her friends and then I hit a button and bam, it was all deleted! ugh! annoying so there it is, in a nutshell.

On to this week. All the fam up north is bracing for the big snowaggeden! I hope they don't lose power. It's gloomy and rainy here today but I will take that any day over what they're getting in Illionis/Iowa.

I went to the store this morning and I bought a can of white trim paint. I hate the color of the trim in our house so I'm going to slowly change it. I'm starting in my bathroom. I really just want to change the bathroom and this is a good start!