Another Hiking Adventure

Today I took Rowena and Charlie back to Starved Rock.  With my weight loss challenge, I'm trying to exercise a little more, and since I don't get a lot of down time (away from the kids), I need to be creative and involve the Littles.  So, back to Starved Rock we went. 

We took a different route this time and probably didn't even do a mile and we went very slow with lots of breaks to check out rocks, flowers, leaves, the views, and to have some snacks. 

Again after hiking we had a picnic.  Then, on the way out of town, we stopped at a winery (to buy, not to taste) and then to a chocolate shop.  It was a good day, and I hope to bring the kids back throughout the summer.  I can't wait for another family trip there.

Weight Loss-Getting Healthy Challenge

My brother, Brian, decided that he wanted to get healthy this year and had a Race to 200 challenge with a co-worker.  Brian lost over 50 pounds in three months, beat his co-worker to 200 lbs (and then some), and is looking and feeling GREAT!  This has inspired me...I've been trying to get motivated to lose weight and get healthier, but had horrible follow-through.  I tried doing a challenge with a friend who also wants to lose weight, who wasn't up for it.  I tried tracking calories and increasing exercise, but that didn't last.  Well, 2 weeks ago, a good friend of mine and I were complaining about how "fat" we are.  I use that term loosely, as neither of us are fat, or over-weight, but neither are where we want to be.  Our size (in clothing) is higher than we want, and our weight is also higher than we would like.  So, I mentioned to her about Brian's experience, and she was in.  WOOHOO!

We gave ourselves a date, otherwise it would take forever.  We have three months.  We began on April 10th and we end on July 10th (both happen to be Tuesdays).  We weigh-in every Tuesday morning and report to one another.  Both have goals of losing 25 lbs.

So, we're chatting every day, or close to that, about how we're doing, what's working well, what we need to improve on, etc.  We are finding tips and gimmicks online and on pinterest that we're trying together.  The first week we didn't do anything gimmicky, and both lost 1 lb.  This past week, we tried Jillian Michaels Lose up to 5 lbs in 7 days (found via Pinterest).  I lost 3.5 and she lost 4.  This week we're trying Sassy water (found via Pinterest) and throwing in a 2-week workout.  The cardio might be difficult for me to find time for, seeing as PJ and I have opposite schedules, but I will try my hardest. 

Oh, and the loser...has to sing karoake!  YIKES!!!  Anyone who knows me, knows I am TERRIBLE at this and fear it.  Sadly, I think Heather will win, but if we both get close, we still win, right? 

Good luck, Heather.  I love having you as my Challenge-Partner, and am so grateful that we are trying the same things and helping each other out to be as successful as we can!  I'll keep you guys updated every week or two on how both of us are doing.

Family Hiking at Starved Rock

Since our anniversary celebration couldn't happen on our actual anniversary, we decided to celebrate it as a family on Sunday.  Peter and I are going to celebrate our anniversary on April 28th at Devon in Chicago with Jeff and Dena Cozzo as VIPs.  I cannot wait!  Until then, we had a great time hiking.  The girls did a terrific job hiking the whole time and didn't complain at all.  We hiked over 2 miles, went off the path on some side trails, went to Wildcat Caynon, and did a lot of stairs.  After hiking, we had a picnic and headed out for our fave ice cream spot in Utica...a little tradition of ours.

Wanting to be a Big Boy!

Charlie got a backpack from Grammie & Poppy for Valentine's Day...And, now he wants to be a Big Boy!  He loves wearing his backpack around.  SO CUTE!!!

Happy Anniversary

Eleven years ago today, I walked down the isle and exchanged vows with the most amazing man.  We had our first date on February 17, 1995...had an off-and-on relationship throughout college.  I believe it was more on than off...ahhahha.

Peter asked me to marry him on August 10, 2000 at The Melting Pot in Indianapolis.  He couldn't wait, so he asked in the before we even ordered.  I could barely see my ring through my tears of happiness and shock.  We talked throughout the meal of wedding dates and honeymoon destinations.  We decided on April 21 and an island somewhere.

Our Wedding Day: April 21, 2001

Now, 11 years later, we have a home in Illinois, four children, a dog, careers and furthered our education.  We have had mostly ups, with a few bumps in the road...by which I mean life throwing us some curve balls not our relationship having problems.  I think, in eleven years, we have honestly only had two major fights.  Not bad, I don't think!  We agree on politics, religion, parenting, finances...all the big things, as well as the little things.  We know how to communicate and express ourselves; we laugh and cuddle and share.  I am the luckiest person I know to have someone like Peter in my life.  I'm so glad he chose me!  I cannot imagine life without him by my side.  He is truly the love of my life, the most amazing partner, and the best father in the entire world.

July 2010...9+ years later



Have we changed much?  Maybe, but still madly in love!

Finders Keepers

Rowe was looking for a very specific toy...

(sadly, she didn't find the toy, which is probably because I threw it out after it broke).

And since I was busy finding the camera and taking pictures of Rowe, Charlie found something for himself...

 Mmmmmmmm...Strawberries!  And, atop the table--double score!