me minus sugar plus camera equals happy

minus sugar

The month of October was a good one. For 30 days I decided to give up or fast from processed sugar. Crazy? Um, yeah. Pretty much. But when I saw a co-worker/friend of mine and how skinny she had become, giving up processed sugar was her secret. I want(ed) to be skinny, too, so I decided to try it. Just so happened the church we currently attend was encouraging us to "give up" something for 30 days as we were going through a certain study. Giving up sugar was hard. And there just happened to be a handful of birthdays at work in October. How 'bout that?! The first few weeks were the hardest, but it did get easier as I got into a routine. By the end of the month I lost a total of 5.2lbs. AND I only worked out maaaaaybe twice. maybe. Unfortunately, when the fast was over and I indulged in baby crack sugar again, I gained some back. Which sucks. But it does show what sugar does to me. There are things I'm sticking to, like only eating bread from Trader Joe's that doesn't have sugar. Did you know that in Oro Wheat's whole wheat bread the second ingredient is sugar? I was shocked. There are a few other frequently eaten food items that we buy only from Trader Joe's that do not have sugar, and I'd like to keep it that way.

plus camera

I might have lost a few "el-be's" but I gained a new toy. A toy I'd been wanting and researching for a month or two.  After one of the two nights I went to the gym I came home to this!  Matt totally surprised me. I thought we might get one for Christmas. might. To say that I was excited would be an understatement. And I just might have peed a little. This new camera is even  more incentive to blog and post pictures. Thanks, Matty; you delight my heart. 

*happy mama*

halloween

this year for halloween, we made our kids costumes. it came from a request from jackson to be a "funny guy." thankfully, my wonderful mother-in-law volunteered to make it. thank you, Doris! ashlyn told me "i want to continue your obsession with owls, mom. can i be an owl for halloween?" of course i said YES! and decided (with a lot of help from the m-i-l, again) to make her a pink owl. here are the highly anticipated pictures from halloween...

it was a fun evening. nobody asked about jackson's costume. but even when i explained what he was, he wouldn't do his "funny guy." oh well. thanks, again, Doris, for all your help! we love you very, very much!