Shape Up!

So part of my new years resolution this year was getting in better shape. Today I started that trek. For my early birthday present Mom got me "Shape-Ups." They are new shoes out by Skechers. They claim to improve posture (which I need), improve blood circulation, strength back muscles along with abs, thighs, calves and buttocks. They also claim to reduce joint stress. When I first put them on, I almost fell over. The sole is rounded as you can see in the picture. Its like learning to walk completely different. They aren't the most attractive shoe but if I can wear them to work everyday and get in shape! Why not!? I had them on in the store for like 10 minutes, I took them off and immediately felt the burn in my calves! : ) We are on our way to a cankle-less Lauren! : )

Also, did some research about whether they work or not for those of you non-believers. Here are some articles I found.

http://www.splendicity.com/hotmamadaily/do-skechers-shape-ups-really-work/

What do yall think???

2010

Wow- can you believe it is 2010!?! I feel like it was just 1999 and everyone was worried about Y2K! haha. I am rather sad this new years though- it is our first new years as a newly-wed in our house and I really wanted to just spend new years with the man I love in our beautiful new house enjoying each others company...however, Justin is out of town for work again. : ( So I will be spending New Years alone (I may go to Kingwood). Anyways, regardless of who I spend it with 2010 is coming fast...so here is the past 10 years in recap:

Past 10 Years:

1. Started Driving
2. Graduated High School
3. Broke my back
4. Went away to College
5. Got MRSA Staph and had to be hospitalized
6. Met my future husband
7. Got my baby boy- Pip
8. Graduated college
9. Got engaged
10. Got married to the man of my dreams
11. Got a job as a Autism Aide
12. Got a job as a 1st grade teacher
13. Got a beautiful house
14. Got a wonderful camera

Those are just a few of the big things that have occurred over the past 10 years....Now for my goals for the next 10 years....

The Next 10 Years:

1. Travel to Las Vegas, New York, Austin, London
2. Go on a cruise
3. Get a new car
4. Have a baby or two
5. Get new bedroom furniture
6 Get in shape (this one will have to come before #4)
7. Grow my photography business
8. Get involved in the Central Childrens Ministry (Once I have babies, I don't want to work anymore (until they go to school) so I feel like working for the church would be a perfect way to still be around children and serve the Lord at the same time)

I am sure there are many more things I will do in the next ten years but those are few of the big things I want to accomplish. Now for my goals for JUST 2010.

This Year: 2010

1. Save money
2. Bring my lunch to school more often (instead of eating cafeteria food)
3. Work out 2x's a week
4. Cook healthy dinners
5. learn to live stress free
6. take more weekend trips- the weekends Justin has off are precious time we could spend together so I want to take full advantage of the time we do have together and do fun things while we are still young without kids
7. Monthly dates for Justin & I- whether it be movie night, out to eat, sitting by the fire pit outside- I just want a date night set aside where it is just Justin and I and we can enjoy each other
8. Get the house organized and keep it that way (that should be more like the end of this week goal)
9. Join a church...Central
10. Join a Sunday school/bible study


Well those are all big goals so I guess I should get busy instead of sitting here writing... : )

I challenge each and every one of you to think back on what you have been blessed with in the past 10 years, what your goals are for the next 10 years and what your specific goals are for this upcoming year!!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Christmas Dinner!!

The Christmas festivities didn't stop after Christmas morning and Christmas lunch, we headed to Lake Conroe and have Christmas Dinner! It was such a blessing to be able to see both of our families.

Overall, Justin and I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas! We are blessed beyond belief and thank Jesus every day for allowing us to be this blessed!!

You've Gotta Get Up-It's Christmas Morning!

Christmas morning we got up around 8:30, sat at the top of the stairs like we were still 10 and waited for mom and dad to tell us (all 4 of us) that they were ready (fireplace on, camera on, etc.)!!!
It was a perfect Christmas morning- we opened presents, ate cinnamon rolls, drank coffee, and got busy cooking some more for the lunch we were hosting that afternoon! Mom insisted that all 16 of us eat in the dinning room. We normally have the "adult table" and the "kid table" but since none of us are kids anymore we ALL got to eat at the "adult table!"

Love my family!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Snuggie Anyone?

Pip's Christmas Present is as follows:

I think I need a matching one personally : )

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

This Christmas was our first Christmas as a married couple. We are blessed beyond belief. God has been very good to us and we are very thankful. This Christmas we were able to see both sides of our families and spend time with just each other! I gave Justin his Christmas present on the 23rd since we were leaving for Kingwood on the 24th! I think he liked it! : )Justin and I headed to Kingwood Christmas Eve. We headed to Church for Candle Light Service then over to the Parker's for traditional Christmas Eve dinner. It felt like the first time in so long ALL of us were together for Christmas! It was wonderful!!

After dinner we came home and helped mom cook for a little while before opening our Christmas Eve tradition of matching PJ's! : ) After the cooking was done for the most part, we all gathered in the living room and opened our stocking stuffers- another Christmas Eve tradition!

After stockings we headed to bed to prepare for "Santa's" arrival while we were sleeping : )

Moving

The past week has been INSANE!! We have been moving moving moving!! I tried to do this "Scrapblog" thing- it looks neat...we will see if I am any good at it! : )

Please remember that we are still moving so not everything is where it belongs~ : )

Okay...so my scrapblog didnt work because of the way I published it so here is a before and after photo of the living room. Since then we have changed a few things (like the boxes, mantle, things that don't go).