Healthy Strides

Here is my currently fav salad that I make for lunch: baby spinach leaf and romaine lettuce, yellow pepper (love), several cherry tomatoes, small grilled chicken breast with herbs (I make 5 and keep in fridge), sprinkle of toasted pumpkin/sunflower seeds (keep on hand in a jar), and a toss of Trader joes Golden Berry blend (raisins, cherries, cranberries & blueberries- Super Yum)
And top it with some Annie's Organic Cowgirl Ranch Dressing

Loving this salad.

Wayne made a big step and started the Metabolic Balance diet program. It's an all natural weight loss program- and I like it b/c it is very specific with the foods you can eat at each meal. Takes out the stress of having to choose from so much. So I can prep his breakfast and lunch pretty easily now that I have the hang of it. I am so proud- he has followed the program to a T for 10 days now and already lost 17 pounds ! !! ! Totally recommend this for a lifestyle change and someone who needs to lose 30+ pounds.

It had got us all eating healthy and exercising more!

4 year old mind

Luke has been amazing me lately with his 4 year old mind... he is drawing conclusions on his own and actually remembering things I tell him!

One funny one: I was studying in the office after dinner and see Luke open the front door out of the corner of my eye... I ask him what he is doing-- he has thrown the apple he just ate out into the front yard :) Why? I ask... and he goes on to tell me about his apple seeds will go into the ground and grow into an apple tree. And that it needs dirt, and water, and sun and he will have a tree! That's right Luke!

Every few days he will ask me about where his apple tree is and if his seeds have grown! So smart

Up out of the hole

The last couple of weeks I have felt like I am coming out of a hole ... almost 1/2 way through nursing school (hoorah); and I got a job transfer to the heart hospital and I am doing two evening or morning shifts instead of nights! And maybe it is that that has me feeling more peppy. A little pep in my step! I actually enjoy the job, instead of dreading both the job and the staying up all hours of the night. It really had me grumpy much of the time. And I probably wouldn't of transferred had I just not gotten fed up one night and found that job online!

God is near and he is taking care. Luke is set up for kindergarten, Wayne's work should be fruitful-- Thank you Lord. I have 2 real estate transactions for may/june... And I have been able to be at church regularly since no nightshifts and really have enjoyed worship - again the nearness of the Lord!

The Up and Up is so much better than the pit

Happy Easter!

Well Happy Easter! He has Risen!
We enjoyed a great family day today. Went to church and celebrated Easter at Sharays!

Yes her Matilda Jane arrived on Friday!! I was so excited- she was too, she picked which dress to wear :)

Luke was so excited about the Egg Hunt this morning that I had to give him a Special Agent Oso "Three Special Steps" to keep him in line:

Step 1: Go to Trader Joes and get the Ham

Step 2: Go To Church and learn about Jesus!

Step 3: Lunch and Egg Hunt at Aunt Sharay's!

It's funny because the 3 steps helps him when something is further ahead during the day, since his concept of time is still premature.... like his teacher Ms. Clare told me.... "once that child learns to tell time we better ALL watch out!"

And some Crosby kid fun: everyone jump into Nanny's convertible and drive around! Woo hoo!

Boiling Eggs

I am boiling 36 eggs to take over to Sharay's so all the kids can decorate eggs this afternoon. I had to google "how to boil a egg" b/c I can never remember! But wait- I don't have to because of this AWESOME gadget my mama bought me a few years back

Cuisinart's Egg Cooker does up to 7 eggs at a time! Hard boiled, soft boiled- you name it! You just punch a tiny hole in the top of the egg, put directed amount of water in the bottom- switch it on and 15 minutes later you have perfect easter eggs!

Go get you one- cutting corners is the way to go!

He Got In!

A couple weeks ago we got a letter basically saying Luke was "qualified" for the kindergarten we were trying to get him in... but they were full :( I was sooooo bummed. We had been waiting for months through the app process and I really felt like it was the right place for him to go. A way for me to give him a great jump start into his education. So I was way bummed and doubtful that someone might decline and a spot would open up.

I talked to his current dayschool about him staying there so we could re-apply for kindergarten when he was 6-- but then it kind of made next year like a long waiting period- yuck

But then yesterday at the gym- caller ID said the school was calling! My stomach dropped- and sure enough the admit lady said a spot had opened up and they wanted to offer it to LUKE ! ! !

I have been on a cloud 9 high for like 48 hours! This was seriously like a college application
So once we get the contract--- my boy will be kindergarten bound

SO thankful, I really feel like God heard my prayers over the last 6 months-- and to be let down and gifted the spot was even more a blessing

So excited

O O O I love dressing my girl

I am absolutely in love with Matilda Jane for Sophia... more and more everyday! When I think about her wearing their ultimate cute clothes I just get so so tickled.

They are girly and fun, a little funky- just so "her"





The hardest question is which one does she wear for Easter??

St. Barts

My Tan is fading, but not all my wonderous memories of St. Barts. What a beautiful place. A quiet french island- yachts all around and more wonderful food than you can imagine. Peaceful. Beautiful.

Yes those are my tan lines :)

You can only get to St. Barts by boat or by small aircraft. No jets can land b/c the runway is so short. Here is Wayne riding shot gun in the cock pit of our 7 seater prop plane! Wow THAT was an adventure! I tried to hold the girls hand next to me on take off-- but she didn't speak english and thought I was crazy haha.

View on the ten minute flight!

Back

Wayne and I took a week on a small island in the west indies last week. Someone asked me if we did tons of stuff- and I said no, mostly we did a lot of nothing- which was wonderful. I feel so much more rested and refreshed. Ready to be mommy. Realized I hadn't left them since Sophia was born! The time with no school, no work, no kids, and just Wayne and I- ahhhhh. Just what I needed, it had been a long year. And we really enjoyed being together, going to read at the beach, going to dinner. It was wonderful.

Spring Shoe Extravaganza!

I bought my first pair of Sanuk sandals in Hawaii on my honeymoon-- and got my mom and sisters and who knows who else to buy a pair! Their flops are the BEST. But look at this gem they are making for boys!It's a flip flop with a shoe on top! And oh so stylish and rugged. Watch this video to see them close up and check out the features. Must have for the Luke.

Also like the new crocs with the band on the bottom- for pool going and beach going these are the best. And they come sized for 2 sizes so we kept Luke's last ones for 2 years, bonus.

For sweet sis... I had to go no further than See Kai Run! Their spring sandals are soooo cute. Look at the lime greens with the circles- love :)

And the silver with bow for everything else!

She has worn her winter pair to death and I can't say enough about the soles and the comfort of these shoes.

So there you have it! I usually find the shoes I like and then internet shop to find them for a great deal.

Can you tell I'm ready for summer!!!!

Trunk Show

Matilda Jane has a local trunk keeper in virginia beach... who is coming with me Friday to preview the spring collection??!!!
This is so Sophia!

Nail Biting

Friday we had step 3 of Luke's application process for kindergarten! I think they all have gone pretty well. He tested "average" on the Missouri KIDS developmental test, which I was happy that he was able to sit still the whole time and take it! (30 minutes long 1 on 1)

He really loves the school and asks me if he is going there EVERY day. So I am praying that he gets in! (please join) I've never seen him so eager about anything. They send acceptance/rejection letters Feb. 15th. I am biting my nails. I just think it would be the perfect place for him. And I don't know what I will tell him if he doesn't get in, b/c he doesn't really understand that :(

Pick Luke!

Christmas Pictures! (better late than never!)

We had a great family time in the bahamas!! I didn't get as many pictures as I wanted to (ahh), but wanted to share our fun times. I think we'll have to make this a tradition! We had a fabulous time...
Beach Goin
Pool Goin
Party goin!
We took our beloved sitter Katie so Wayne and I could have some together time without the "wild indians" as he calls them :) She is so wonderful and really loves our kids. Although once sister figured out that we left her with Katie every night to go to dinner... she would say "no Katie" haha
Love my beach babies!


Here is sissy with painted toes- everyone loved it!!

Poppy's Girl :)
Luke played in the different pools and showed off his new swimming skills thanks to his swim coach Ms. Alyssa! Several parents commented about how comfortable he was in the water= wild! He also got to hang in the cool Kids Club and play and do arts and crafts.

The last two days we stayed off paradise/atlantis at the Compass Point. We had little huts right on the ocean. Loved it here.







Tata for now! The title of my blog is so true... Fast Days, Relaxing Holidays!