Celebrity Look-alikes

There is a little thingamajigger going on this week on Facebook where you post a picture of the celebrity people have told you that you look like. M.A. did this on her blog, so I'm following suit and posting some pics for your amusement.

These are the two actresses I've been told I look like. They do not look alike (I don't think) so I guess it depends on which angle you see me that determines which one I look like? :o)

Sandra Bullock (I've been told more than once by different people that I look like her...ever since high school. And even recently...even though I'm not as thin as I was back when I used to think I actually did look like her!)

















Tori Spelling (More so when she has brunette hair, but man, finding a non-trashy-looking picture of her via Google search was difficult!)

















So there you go! I'm linking up with M.A. on this one, so if you've been told you look like a celebrity, you should, too!

Being a Coach's Wife

Sometimes being a coach's wife is...

Tiresome.

Frustrating.

Lonely.

There are probably other words to describe it, but those are the top three. He devotes much of his time to the team and players, and rightly so. That's his passion, and those kids deserve to have someone who gives it their all.

Even if that means our family misses him. Lots.

Time away from home used to really bother me. My first year as a stay-at-home mom was dreadful during basketball season. Those long days, especially game days, were almost enough to send me into some sort of emotional/psychological dark place. That was the year that he traveled even more than he does now, not only going to all of his practices and games but going to JV/Varsity practices and games (he coaches 9th grade).

I asked that he find some sort of balance. And he did.

Now that I seem to have a better routine in my day, and now that he has found the right balance of giving his all to his own team and supporting the older boys when they have "home" games, the strain on our family has lessened.

But I still miss him from October through February.

Every now and then, however, I get to see a glimpse into what makes all of this important to him. When I see the shining faces of a group of young men who just won 1st place in a tournament. When I see the high fives and the hard work. When I see the parents beaming with pride in their sons. It's in those moments when I know what my husband's influence and dedication means to others.

And I am proud, too.

I am also glad that our kids can see what their daddy does.


















They are proud of him as well.


She really was smiling...my mom's camera has a double flash so it didn't capture the first expression! :o) And what does it mean when my heart smiles at the sight of orange and black around my daughter's neck?? (Yes, I realize only those of you who know me personally will understand that one! Ha!)

Live in the Moment

“The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.” -Anna Quindlen (Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11)


The above quote, along with this post from another blog I read, has sent me into a strange, emotional state-of-mind.


Lord, please give me mindfulness of each moment. These days are fleeting, I am fully aware.

Family Look-alikes

Our children can never say they were switched at birth. They will always have to claim us. There's just no way around it.

I think Caleb...

















...looks like me...

















...and Sarah...

















...looks like Josh...

















...and Gabriel...

















...well, actually, he looks like my dad! ;o)

















Everyone who knows my dad...relatives, friends, and old classmates think it's uncanny. Perhaps you'd have to see them both in person, but it's pretty cute. And hearing my grandma talk about how Gabriel looks like her "little Billy"...yeah, I love it.

On Josh's side of the family, there are many who think that Gabriel looks like Josh's brother, Steve, because of his dark hair and dark features.
















I can see this, too! But when I put him in a dress-shirt and sweater vest, it's my dad who wins the most votes.

So...what do you think, dear readers?

WFMW - Workouts

I've been trying to decide if I should include my weight loss journey this time on my blog. Last time I did, I was not successful, so I thought I didn't want to "fail" again in a public way.

But, for whatever reason, I feel compelled to share it with you AGAIN! You just have that sort of pull on me! :o) So I'm going to link up with Kristen over at We Are THAT Family and share with you each week during her "Works For Me Wednesdays" the things that are working for me.

Thank you, Tina, for introducing me to her blog.













As you may recall, I joined a "team" in the Owensville area, and we call ourselves the Motivated Mamas! We signed up with a bank who is doing a local Biggest Loser contest, and I'm really excited to be a part of it. My first weigh-in proved to be very inspiring to me...I lost six pounds!

This week I wanted to share my workout routine. Yes, for the first time since college I actually have a daily, committed, workout routine! I absolutely COULD NOT be successful without my sweet friend and neighbor, Kim, who is getting up with me EVERY MORNING at 6:00 am to walk/jog/run with me. We are using her hubby's iPod, and he has an 8-week program on it designed to help us train for a 5K. Each morning I get up and meet her outside my door, and we just start walking until the little voice in her ear tells us to start running! Even when it's 20 degrees outside, even on Saturdays, WE DO THIS! And can I just say, I love you, Kim! :o)

In the evenings I also workout with a Biggest Loser DVD. My BFF and team member, Kassie, suggested the Boot Camp one, and I'm really enjoying it. I just really like Bob, I prefer him if I had to pick (instead of Jillian). But I think I might switch it up and try the 30 Day Shred after my weeks are technically done with Bob. I just hope she doesn't yell the F word at me!

I plan to do WFMW for 10 more weeks and share with you what's working and how I'm doing!

The Title I Don't Like

Over the last couple months, Josh and I have been receiving post cards in the mail from a company who is taking care of an alumni book for Southwest Baptist University. The card asked us to please "call this number" and update our information so that our fellow classmates can keep in touch.

Finally on Saturday afternoon I made the call.

The lady on the other end of the phone was so very nice. She asked my name and then referenced to my maiden name. She confirmed the year of my graduation, my degree, and then asked some follow up questions like if I had completed my masters degree. We made sure my phone number and address were correct, and she also asked if I wanted to list my children's names. I could even email a picture to the company if I wanted. I might just do that.

Then came the question that I somehow overlooked...I should have known she would ask. I should have better prepared myself for it.

"And what is your current occupation?"

I paused. I took a deep breath. And I responded, "Well, I'm a stay-at-home mom," I said with a cheerful tone.

"Oh, that's a difficult job! So I'll list that as homemaker..." she continued.

I cringed.

"Could we just leave it as stay-at-home mom? I just like the ring of it better," I tried to joke, yet remain serious at the same time.

She said, "Well, I'll certainly try. One lady asked me to list her as a domestic engineer and the line when to homemaker by default!"

Super.

But as she typed what I asked her to type, it stayed as the title I asked for. I was glad.

I'm just not sure why that word bothers me. Really. Why? Especially considering I know that as women God has called us to be homemakers, whether we work outside of the home or not (as I referenced in My 10:10 Challenge back at the beginning of the year). I know that Proverbs 31:27 says "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

Have I been brainwashed by our current society? Even though I am a stay-at-home mom (and, ultimately, a homemaker) do I somehow put less of a value on myself? Why do I think that way? Especially considering this is exactly what I wanted to do. I prayed for two years after I had Caleb because I didn't want to work...I wanted to stay home! After Sarah was born, Josh agreed that we could make it happen. And now, 3.5 years later and another child added to the mix (my Gabriel), I am doing exactly what I feel I should be doing.

Why am I not a happy homemaker?

Well, it's not that I'm not happy. The title just still makes me cringe.

So I'll have to sort through these feelings and somehow figure it out. I want to be able to see the word homemaker and not think anything but happy thoughts when I see it.

Homemaker.

Homemaker.

Homemaker.


Well...not yet. I'm still working on it.

Blogiversary Winner!

Thank you so much to those of you who commented on my blogiversary post! I am excited to announce that the winner is...










...and that number just happens to belong to...








So just email me, Nel, with your mailing address and you'll be an avid Redbook reader before you know it! My email address: chrissyrenee79 at yahoo dot com

Congrats to you!

A Sunday Morning Miscommunication

It is a team effort in our house to get the kids ready for church each Sunday morning. Josh usually does the baths for all three, and then as they are done, he sends them out to me and I have their clothes ready and help them put them on if necessary.

Caleb generally does everything on his own as far as dressing himself. Sometimes he needs help with a button, but that's about it. Sarah needs help with tights and sometimes her dress, and obviously Gabriel is helpless when it comes to getting dressed! So after the clothing process is complete, Josh then will help with breakfast (usually a quick one of dry cereal or Ego's) and gets sippy cups of milk ready for each of them (yes, even Caleb because we let them take the cups in the van if they don't finish).

I sat out a pair of black shoes for Sarah next to the couch. I said, "Here are Sarah's shoes. If you get a second could you help her put them on?"

After everyone was put together and ready to head to church, we all walked out to the van, Gabriel in Josh's arms, and we were off to worship the Lord!

But when we arrived, and as we began to unload the kids, Josh said, "Where are Sarah's shoes?"

"I thought I asked you to put them on her?" I responded.

"Well, I didn't. I thought you put them on her before she walked out to the van," he continued.

So there we were. At church and no shoes for Sarah. "Just carry her to her classroom. It will be fine," I said as I tried not to be upset.

And it was fine. Not a big deal at all. The girls at church who teach her class thought it was funny. One of them even said the same had happened to her once.

But I'm pretty sure I'll be checking everyone's feet next time we are leaving for church!

A Good Sleeper

When Gabriel is tired, he finds a place to sleep. There are times when I have walked out of the living room to make my bed, start the laundry, check email, whatever it may be, and I come back to see a little boy fast asleep in the location of his choice.

In such places as...the couch...














...or the floor...



















...or the recliner...














...or my personal favorite, the corner where we have our folded blankets and couch pillows...

















This trait will serve him well as an adult I think. He can sleep just about anywhere.

Happy 1st Blogiversary, Traveling Light! {Giveaway}

*Comments closed. Stay tuned for the winner!*

One year ago today, I embarked upon this adventure called blogging.















I have enjoyed it so much. I have made new friends and found this page to be an outlet at times. You have encouraged me at just the right moments. Occasionally you disagree with me, and secretly I love that, too.

In honor of my first blogiversary, I'm having a giveaway!

In the mail yesterday I received a letter from Redbook* saying they missed me (of course they do). It said I could sign up for a year subscription and that included a year subscription for a friend as well! How exciting is that? Yeah, ok, maybe not THAT exciting, but I thought to myself, "Who should I give this subscription to?" And then it dawned on me...it should be one of you.
















Please leave a comment - just any ol' comment - and I will select the winner using a random number generator from RANDOM.ORG

Thank you for a happy year of blogging!

P.S. If you are here from facebook, please use the Name/URL option. Type your first name and then copy and paste the url from your facebook page. Like this:

Name: Chrissy
URL: http://www.facebook.com/chrissyrenee79

If you don't have a blog or facebook, just leave your first name and last initial, and if your number is the winner, you can email me!



*I have purchased this item/giveaway myself and am not being paid to endorse it. Giveaway ends 1/25/09 at 3pm CST.