{4.20.07}

look who's toothless

Phew, I could really use a good page to rant using petty verbiage about certain self-absorbed individuals but that would be a complete waste of time and energy. neither of which I can spare. this v8 fast has really zapped my energy and I'll be so glad when it's over. I've lost 10 pounds as of this morning so it's been worth kick-starting good eating habits and portion sizes. next week i'm hitting the gym hard and workout to the beachbody dvds that Jennifer loaned me.

the central oregon business expo was a huge success with 65 booths and over 2,000 attendees! one event down - one to go. next saturday is the redmond habitat for humanity's 14th annual spaghetti dinner. i have most of the donations, sponsors and volunteers lined up so we should be set to feed over 400 people! what a great fundraiser to bring local businesses together to help others in our community. 

if all goes as planned our wedding invitations will go out by the end of next week. i'm really excited with how the design and colors turned out. a big thank you goes out to heather for the time she did not have to design and cater to my every font change i requested.

the time is near for me to shut down my computer and pick up my brenner who i've missed dearly this week. happy weekending everyone!

***

Brenner lost his first tooth this afternoon...

 

4.21.07

{4.17.07}

mayo & coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. 

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions-and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else-the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. "Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Spend daily time with God; everything else comes after and intimate time with Him. Then spend time with parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad! You asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend. But you will never be satisfied without Him, because He'll help bring everything in order and perfection into your life.

{4.16.07}

happy dance

After stepping on my scale this morning and watching the blurry red numbers reveal my progress I couldn't help but do a little happy dance around my living room. It went something like this:

This week is promising to be a busy one. Adam leaves tomorrow for Reno on business. the central oregon business expo is on thursday and the luncheon rsvps are rolling in at mach speed. and our wedding invitations should hopefully be printed and ready for the next phase by friday.

{4.12.07}

for the love of v-8

after asking my dad for his tux measurements and brenner poking at my tummy and stating in his sweet little voice, "you're going to have a baby!" we both agreed to fast for 14 days drinking v8 juice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. we call each other daily for encouragement and support. Day one - good. day two - brutal! i had to resist a plate of my favorite cookies that marty brought over from local grounds. day three - better. and today, day four - awesome. What motivates and keeps me going is stepping on the scale every morning and seeing the results.

my week days and weekends have been spent at brenner's soccer practices and games, cleaning out the flower beds at the house (mercy, will it ever end?), getting the itch to paint the bedrooms, wedding planning and event(s) planning. I'm so looking forward to our honeymoon in kauai. I can smell and feel the warm air already - deep breath!

{4.10.07}

brenner's birthday weekend

painted people ceramics

1st soccer game in 2007

Drake park

Pappy's pizza

and Easter fun.

{4.6.07}

the best 2,191 days of my life

my dearest brenner,

from the very moment you looked into my eyes i knew i found everlasting contentment. you've brought so much joy and laughter into so many lives and I can't imagine my life without you. you were born with a very kind and loving spirit and I pray with all my heart that you never let anyone tell you differently. be proud of who you are. be content with what you have. be the person you were born to be. I love you so much.

all my love,

mama

04.06.01