Cans for Pounds

I'm super proud of my husband! About a month ago he looked at a picture of himself and wasn't happy with what he saw so he decided to do something about it. He sent out a bunch of emails to people we know with an idea. He simply asked people to sponsor and help support him in his endeavor to make a change. He set up a 90 day challenge. He's would work hard to lose weight in 90 days and for every pound he lost his sponsors would donate 1 canned good. So if he lost 20 pounds then each sponsor would donate 20 canned goods. At the end of the 90 day challenge he would collect the cans and take them to the Beacon Light Mission (a local homeless shelter). He also invited others to take on the challenge themselves.

This is such an awesome way to make a change not only in himself but also to bless others in need!

He is about one month into the challenge and he has lost 27 pounds. He has completely changed the way he eats, he's working out every day and making healthier choices. I can definitely see a difference in him. Not only in his appearance but also in his outlook. Working out is now fun for him. He challenges himself every day but he enjoys it and it's something he looks forward to doing. He also looks at food differently. He's more aware of what he's putting into his body. He's cut down his portion size and no longer goes for pastrami sandwiches and chili fries. Instead he's been eating more fruits and vegetables. We've changed the way we cook at home. We've been cooking with more veggies and less meat.

He's not in this alone either. Others have taken on the challenge as well. I'm not exactly sure of how many sponsors they've all got but the last estimate was over 1,000 cans have been earned so far! That's amazing!

I can't express how proud I am of all of those participating. The sponsors who are generously offering their support and canned goods are to be praised for giving of themselves. Those who have taken on the challenge are to be praised for their hard work and effort.

The Bible tells us that God pours His blessings upon us each day. I know that is true. I experience God's blessings each day. Even on my worst day I have a reason to praise God. Thanks to all of those participating in Cans for Pounds. You are taking these blessings and in turn blessing others!

Here's a link to the Cans for Pounds Facebook page. "Like" the page and you can find updates, work out information, photos, and the amount of pounds that have been lost!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cans-for-Pounds/112035508870081


Cans for Pounds - an amazing opportunity to create change. Change in self and change for others.

Bumps in the Road

"Maybe Kindergarten isn't such a good idea." When you're a mom/teacher these are the last words that you want to hear from you're own child. These are words that my little Evan first told me a couple of weeks ago as he was adjusting to life as a Kindergartener and no longer a Preschooler. He's experienced a few bumps on the yellow brick road to Kindergarten graduation. Each time he feels the bump he reminds me that Kindergarten isn't such a good idea. Each time he says those words I want to cry but I just look into his sweet little face and tell him that Kindergarten is a great idea and that he'll be great. But I'm his mommy and I wish he didn't have to experience any bumps in the road of life!

What I Learned Today

Here's what I learned today....it's sometimes hard to let your kids learn to do things on their own. Now I know my friends that have kids older than mine will say, "Yeah, we could've told you that." I think though it's a lesson you must learn on your own. I often hear moms giving advice and while I do take it all in it never really sinks in completely until I actually FEEL it.

Here's how I came to learn this lesson. We were in the car on the way home from school today and Seth says, "Mom, I need a napkin. My tooth is bleeding." I got him a napkin and asked to see the loose tooth that he's been secretly playing with for the past two days. It was so loose I could have easily pulled it out. I asked him to let me pull it out and he said, "No Mom, I can do it by myself." It took all my willpower to allow him to do it on his own and not just do it quickly for him. It took him about 15 minutes to finally get the tooth out. The look on his face and his excited shouts of accomplishment just sealed the lesson into my brain and my heart. He is no longer my little boy that I need to do everything for. He's learning to be more independent and he needs to learn to do things on his own. His self esteem depends on it and he'll learn life lessons from it. My job.....to be his biggest cheerleader! I love that little guy.

A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That

August has arrived! That means that we have 4 weeks left of summer. I haven't really been preparing for next year too much this summer. I think I've actually sat down and written things down or researched ideas online maybe 3 or 4 days of summer. We've spent a lot of our summer days at the beach or at the park. With Seth playing summer baseball we're at the park for his practices twice a week and at least once a week for a game.

Speaking of baseball....we just signed Seth and Evan up for Fall baseball at Torrance Little League. Evan will be playing T-Ball for the first time!

Another summer event - Auntie Donna is here! Ron's Aunt Donna lives in Canada. She has come for a visit. Everyone is always excited when Auntie Donna comes to visit. She is a very sweet lady.

The summer is winding down and as always I'm looking forward to returning to school but this summer has been different. I am counting down the days till school starts but I am enjoying this summer more.

Big Day for Seth

Today is a big day for Seth. This morning he had his first baseball game of the season. He's playing on the Orioles. He's very blessed in that he gets to play on the same team as his good friend, Peyton. The kids all did a great job and I was a proud mama watching my son go out on the field and play.
Another reason that today is a big day is that tonight is the first time he will spend the night at a friend's house.
These two events make me realize how fast my babies are growing. I know they are still little but they won't be for much longer. Where, oh where are my babies going?

Traditions

Today is my birthday. At 10:00am I sat next to my phone. I knew it would ring by 10:12am. I knew my Mom would be calling. She calls me every year at 10:12am because that is the time I was born. I love that she does this. She just started a new job not too long ago and I was prepared for the fact that she might not be able to call me this year at exactly 10:12am although I knew she would call me at some point today. But, in true mom style she called at 10:12am. Thanks for making me feel special on my birthday, Mom. Not just this year but every year!

Little Animals

We took a trip to Michael's today and while we were there the boys saw these cute animal masks and glasses. These little animals are amazingly cute, don't cha think?

Surprise for Evan

Evan is a big fan of Toy Story. He loves Woody and Buzz and has been asking for about a month now if he can have Woody for his birthday. Since Toy Story 3 came out recently we decided to take the boys to go see it. Auntie Jenny, Uncle KC and cousin Jake came with us. (It was even Auntie's birthday) We didn't tell Evan where we were going. When we got to the movie theater he said, "Are we at the movie theater?" Even while we were sitting down watching the preview Evan still didn't know which movie we were watching. When the movie began he got a big smile on his face and said, "Toy Story!" The boys liked the movie as did all of us adults.

S-U-M-M-E-R

68 days of summer....

So far we have....

- Began my summer tradition of watering the lawn. It was relaxing!
- Painted a fence
- signed Seth up for baseball
- brought Tika (my class turtle) home

What will we do for the rest of the summer?

- practice reading and math facts
- go to the park often
- take lots of pictures!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my dad! You have lovingly endured many things over the years. Here are a few: cakes from my Easy Bake Oven (they probably didn't taste too good), teaching me to ride a bike, teaching me to parallel park, paying for a wedding and then walking me down the aisle, paying for college, taking me to college to help me find where everything is, and making me bigger boxes to carry around all those Barbies I used to have. Thank you for all of those great memories. I love you, Daddy.

Happy Father's Day to my husband. You have given me three awesome boys. Thanks for playing ball with them, for teaching them to conquer their fears, for showing them what a good and strong work ethic looks like, for reminding them to say their prayers, and most of all for working with me as a team. We truly are "better together."

First Day of Summer

Today was our official first day of summer! School ended on Thursday but the boys went to daycare at school on Friday while I finished packing up my class and doing all the end of the school year "stuff" that needed to get done. So today we went to Grandma Lou's house. The boys all wanted to go swimming. Off they went to put on their floaties.

Ron bought Levi a floating device that has a steering wheel like a car. When Ron first put him in it he started to cry. He wanted to push the horn but also didn't want to let go of the wheel because he was so nervous. So, my little guy found a way to make it happen....he pushed the horn with his forehead! It was funny. He quickly got used to being in the pool and had a blast floating around.

Last year Evan spent the summer wearing floaties on his arm and a tube around his waist! He also refused to let go of the side of the pool. Today, Ron told him to take the tube off. He also had him let go of the side of the pool and swim across the pool to the other side. He was scared and needed alot of encouragement but he did it!

Seth learned to swim without floaties on! He got real nervous but he sure did it!

Tomorrow is Father's Day and we're going back to Grandma's house for a barbecue and another chance to practice the new skills they learned. I'm so proud of all that our boys accomplished today! I'm also proud of how fast they are growing and what great boys they are!

For My Mom - an update

Mom asked for an update and even though I'm 31 years old I gotta do what Mom says!
We're nearing the end of the school year which means it's almost time for our annual summer countdown! One really great thing we're looking forward to this summer is spending our days at the park. The park near our house just remodeled their play area and put in some awesome new stuff. It's got a new area for little kids so Levi can play and I don't have to worry about him getting hurt.

We recently had Parent/Teacher conferences for preschool. Evan's teacher says he's doing really well, especially in reading. He's definately going to kindergarten next year so that means we'll be buying him some school uniforms this summer!

Seth is going to the Elementary Speech Meet soon. He's got to memorize Psalm 100 and what it means. It's awesome to see him diving into God's Word and hiding in his heart!

Levi is growing and developing quickly. His speech is developing and his words are becoming a lot clearer. He's learning a lot!

Ron and I are doing great, too! Ron keeps very busy between work and side jobs and helping others. He's truly a giving person and it's nice to see him showing God's love to others by helping in whatever way he can.

I stay busy with school and helping the boys with their schoolwork! I recently read a book called "Under the Overpass" It reminded me of somethings that I already knew but hadn't put into practice so much. Fatih = actions. Helping those in need is displaying God's love and it's not a suggestion from God...it's what God has commanded us to do.

2010

It's 2010. Boy, I remember when I was a kid I thought we'd all be flying cars like in the Jetsons in the year 2010!

We had a great Christmas. The boys were very blessed by all of the people that love them. Seth was very excited to get his Nintendo DSI! Evan is a happy boy with all of the trucks and cars he got. Levi's favorite seems to be Plex (a character from Yo Gabba Gabba) and his tools and toolbag from Grandma and Grandaddy in Texas!

New Years was fun. We had an ugly sweater party at the Aguilera's. Ron won 2nd place with a sweater that I made him. We took 2 sweaters and pieced them together.

Evan turned 5! His birthday was on a Friday and so on Thursday we took him to Target and let him pick out his own birthday present. He chose a pair of Buzz Lightyear gloves. When you hit the button they make a noise and shoot a laser! After Target we went to Albertsons to get cupcakes to take to school the next day. I let him wear the gloves in the store and he followed behind me pushing the buttons and asking me to call him Buzz not Evan!

The boys are growing quickly and it's the greatest blessing to be their mommy and Ron's wife!

Old Pictures

I came across an old memory card for my camera and decided to check out the pictures on it. I came across a nice surprise. Old and VERY cute pictures of Seth and Evan. They look like babies compared to the BIG guys they are now!

Here is Seth trying to make his very own chocolate milk.


Evan comes to join in on the fun!


Just add milk!