Thanks Ms Melody for these too cute pics of the boy!

Life today

"Don't take your shirt off."

"Don't take your panties off."

"Ok, at least eat dinner, then you can get naked."

"Leave the dog alone."

"Please don't lick the dog."

"The dog is not a horse. Get off her."

"Stop feeding your chicken nuggets to the dog."

"Stop feeding your grapes to the dog."

"Don't even look at the dog."

"L, no dumping water out of the tub onto the floor."

"A, you stop it too."

Yes. All pieces of conversations from JUST this evening.

I can't even begin to describe our hectic days - especially when the husband's not here. Up, by 545, shower, kids clothed, dogs pee/poo, meds are dispensed, lunch along with snacks packed, milk poured, out the door preferably around 630. Drop kiddos off with Ms B 7-715 at the office by 730. Work till 4-430, pick kids up, home around 5-530. Dinner is cooked/assembled/microwaved, eat, dogs pee/poo, kids pee/poo, dishes washed, floors cleaned, movie watched, skype daddy, baths, books, bed. Mom goes back to work after kids are in bed 730ish and hopefully gets a wii fit workout in there sometime. Whew. I'm pooped.

Down 32lbs as of yesterday morning. I'm pretty excited about that. I'm a serious chocolate lover, and that has probably been the hardest habit to kick. Luckily, I've found "No Pudge Brownies" - fat free and around 120 calories per serving. You can easily make one serving in a coffee mug, and save yourself from downing an entire pan of the yumminess. Two tbsp of the mix, with one tbsp of yogurt - nuke one minute - yummmm. I usually serve mine in a coffee mug, with a little fat free chocolate pudding and fat free cool whip on top.

I'm terribly slack. Well, in the blogging world that is. I've been inspired by some of my favorite blogs, so I'm jumping back on the wagon. I'm hoping this becomes more than “just a post pics of the kids” kind of thing. I would love to be able to use our blog to share my favorite things with those who are willing to listen - crickets chirping.

Right now I'm somewhat obsessed with life organization. That includes my home, our finances, our health and finding bargains. I’ve completely convinced myself that I will find all my answers and do a complete family makeover and our clan will love my new life altering changes. Easier said than done when one of your kids eats nothing but mac and cheese 24/7, and your husband has a certain thing for a hotdog place in Georgia.

Why a transformation? Well, why not. I’m tired of being completely baffled over how to keep everything running smoothly day-to-day. Maybe smoothly is a bit much to ask for, but anything’s an improvement over total chaos. With the hubby out of town pretty much most of the week, every week, I’ve got to be more structured. That covers everything from a cleaning schedule, to meal planning. So is the life of a working mom, I suppose, but there has to be a better way – and I’m on the quest to find it.

I’ve come up with some goals for Amy for this year – and hopefully those spill over to the others in my house.

-If it hasn’t been used in the past year, it’s time for it to find a new home (unless it’s a sentimental, then we’ll reevaluate on a case by case basis). I’m tired of clutter. 2010 is my year to attack my clutter – metaphorically and literally.

-Get healthier. Eat healthier foods and exercise. Pretty simple logic, but implementation is an issue in our house. I’ve lost a little over 30lbs since mid-October, and I’m bound and determined to keep it up. I’d love to switch to mostly organic, locally grown foods, but of course that brings up an entirely new subject, budget.

-Maintain healthier finances. That one’ pretty self explanatory.

-Decorate my home. Once I’ve battled the clutter, I want a pretty home – and I’ve found great sources of inspiration to help with that – cheap. I’ll be sure to share those sites. We’ve lived in our house for four years now, and it’s time to make it look like a home. I’m no Martha Stewart, but I’m determined to make it lovely and livable.