My Blogroll...

It's updated! YAY! Lots of great blogs there... Lots of women from the DFW Area Moms community I belong to. Now I can stalk them. I mean, now I can *keep up* with them.

About That Posting Frenzy...

Yeah, so it didn't happen... But it is only a couple days later!!!

I went to my WW Meeting today, and since April 20th, I've lost 9.4 pounds!!! I lost 2.6 pounds just this past week. And really, I was worried. I have not been putting in the exercise minutes that I should.

However, while I might not make the best food choices all the time, I'm doing so much better. We did the buffet thing for two Sundays, and I actually only ate until full, and only ate good foods. And I'm feeling less and less deprived.

I still have to work on eating in the middle of the night. The good thing (if you can call it that) is that I don't think I've had any episodes where I don't remember eating in the middle of the night. I know that sounds weird, but when I'm in one of my sleepeating modes, I will usually do something odd (misplace a food... chips in the freezer, etc...) that will clue me in to what I'm doing. I've just been waking hungry. And I've been able to record those points.

I've also been working to figure out my triggers. I have three big ones... Boredom, stress, and tiredness. I'm not sure why, but when I'm tired, I get the urge to munch.

But still... All is good! YAY for me!

So... Um...

Yeah, I stink. I haven't blogged in a bajillion years. I know, I know.

However, I'm debating... I have two (actually three, but I'm definitely ridding myself "Tightwad Jenn") blogs, and I wonder whether it would be better to combine them. One is more dedicated to my journey with weight loss, self acceptance, and my journey with my Lord. I don't see why I can't tie that into the blog about the kidlets. I mean, it is JENN and her Barrel Full of Monkeys. It's not *JUST* about the monkeys. However, I like having my little space. Then again, I would rather just have ONE blog to update. Hmmm...

So... There ya have it. I think I'll just combine the two. Beware. A posting frenzy is about to take place.

Pictures GALORE!

I had the opportunity to have a photo session done in Deep Ellum with one of my favorite photographers... Heck, one of my favorite people. I actually decided to not be the control freak mommy about their appearance. Sure, I saw to it that the dirty buggers were all squeaky clean, and I ironed a couple things, but that was it. The little ones even helped pick out their outfits. No color coordinating or anything. Plus, I wanted to show their personalities, and some of that shows in their choice of clothing.

Anyway, here it goes. Pictures of our awesome kids!

This was a cool little shot... It took a little coaxing to convince Anna she was going to be okay up there.

Apparently, we didn't do enough coaxing. My little anxious soul.

Can you believe this is my kid? How do I have a kid that grown up?

Everyone seems to talk about Ezra's eyes when we are out and about. But then I want to show them how gorgeous Anna's are. They are a wonderful shade of hazel. Sometimes they shine like copper, and others they are a yellow gold, and then there are times when a hint of green (like a peridot [my gemstone]) sneaks in. People want to comment on the blue eyes (mine included), but I love that her eyes change color, and how beautiful each color is.

It was so windy outside, but it looks like it worked to our advantage. What an awesome shot.

Our very own little Strong Man.

Oh, he's killin' me with that look. It's like I totally forget about temper tantrums, messes, and him whacking his sister upside the head. The boy in this picture could NEVER do that.

My little man constantly gets comments about his eyes. I wonder why.

The big bro and his wingman!

An "Abby Road" tribute gone awry. NO! Look forward Ezra! LOL!

Me and my girls. Why are we in front of the "Moodswing" element?!?! HAHA!

Can you see how TOTALLY excited Devon is to have his evil stepmother force a ginormous smooch on his cheek? (I love this shot, too... It was not planned... I think I was giving him heck about something, but I disremember what it was about. That happens as you age.)

Sisters! And I love that they're in front of the "Lovie" element.

Really? Just how sweet is this shot? Anna adores her big brother.

Yeah, this is what Anna wanted to do the entire time. I love that she's such a silly little monkey.

Devon on his board...

Again... Enough with my little, tiny, baby girl looking all grown up. I swear, I was cursing in a hospital just yesterday about how I *WAS* pushing and it still *BLEEEEEEP* hurt! Okay, maybe that was like 13 years ago, but still.

This is the coolest picture EVER. They were giving each other a lot of grief, and she put his hat on sideways... I love that he's goofy enough to have kept it that way. And look! I got a natural smile out of Allison!!!

Ezra the Handful...

I sometimes joke that I prayed for patience, and God gave me Ezra. Silly, but I think it's true. Let me preface this by saying that Ezra is a wonderful, smart, funny, and loving little boy. However, he has a nasty little temper and he's quite a spirited little boy. Many of my requests of him end in responses such as, "NO! NEVERRRRR!" (it's terribly hard not to giggle at that one) or "I not play wif you anymore!" Then when he's been sent to his room, he rattles off with the ultimate, "I want a new mommy!" Oh my! LOL!

Well, I have become more patient than I used to be.

Kids Say the Darnedest Things... Especially Mine...

These came at completely different times (though recent), but they all came to mind today.

Anna: "Daddy has a black mustache that is NOT curly."
Me: "No, he doesn't."
Anna: "Nope, because he's not French."


Ezra: "Mouses don't like Man Chickens!"


Allison: "I think I'm popular because I make fun of my whiteness"


Really kids? Really? LOL!

Christmas Snapshots...

Unfortunately, I didn't get any snapshots of Christmas morning. Hank did film it, and I hope to have it up soon. :)

Here are a few from our time in Houston (well, Tomball and The Woodlands) and in E. Texas with the inlaws.

Look at these goofballs!



Playing around the fountains...



Christmas with the inlaws... They look SO excited, huh? Teenager... Hmmph. HAHA!




Anna loved her My Little Pony from her big bro!



I never thought I'd have a kid ask Santa for an umbrella, but Anna did. She has wanted one for months now. So, how could he NOT deliver. I'm sad to report, she doesn't like the umbrella at all. Can you tell?