You will do great Kayelle! You have come so far and done so well.

Well where to begin. Odessa did not want to wear her dress and she undressed herself 3 times before we left. They all looked great. We got there and of course amanda and odessa both wanted to escape and they actually tried many times. It was hard to get all the kids to cooperate at the same time so the pics aren't perfect but geez neither are my kids and then I as quickly as I could picked the picture I wanted while Maryann ran herd on the others and Logan was drinking his bottle cause he had had enough. Toward the end he refused to sit anymore and kept sliding down to a laying position. We then trekked over to the food court and McDonalds was gone! Josh took it well and we went to A&W instead. That went pretty good and of course Josh was the first one done and he was so excited about the whole deal and then of course he had to vomit right there in the middle of the walkway of the food court and we aren't talking a small affair either. I was mortified and he got done and then said "oh i feel better do we get ice cream???" Ugh! Well we made it over to where santa was and they wanted 19.00 for a 5x7 pic and there was a line. Maryann and I looked at each other and I said I didn't know about her but I was pretty done and it was also getting close to Amanda's nap time. Logan fell asleep in the car and he is still sleeping. They got to see him but not go up and the only one upset about it was Josh but I know if he got up there, he wouldn't have sat on his lap anyway. So while it was nice to get out and the pics are gonna be ok, I just don't want to do that again for awhile. I am tired!
Anyone who would like me to send a pic to, just PM me. I figured out how to send them from the sears site hehe
Melissa

The kids are adorable, Melissa!!! I bet it was a handful though, and the throwing up incident...is he okay? Was it just nerves or is he really sick? Or something else? I bet you are worn out, but at least you got some gorgeous pictures out of it. I would have passed on Santa for that price as well....sheesh!

We have a new addition to the family: Shasta, an adorable 3.5 month old black lab. Allie broke my heart talking my mom on the phone, saying if Santa just brings her one thing, she wants a "doggie with a string, so he won't run away like my other doggie. I miss my doggie." I did not even realize the dogs running away had such an effect on her, actually I thought she just forgot about it, how wrong I was. So, i spent the afternoon looking through the "dogs for free" section of the Iwanna and we drove an hour to meet someone about this lab. My sister has a black lab who is an awesome house dog (lots of training, of course) so it is what we wanted. We just fell in love with her, she is absolutely beautiful.

We don't have good luck with dogs, there is always something that goes wrong with them. I get attached, then they wind up having parvo (a dog we paid good $$ for, who threw up all the way to our home and next day found out she wasn't a chihuaua as they said, just a very sickly and BIG bull mastiff), or they run away, get hit by a car, etc. I just have a good feeling about Shasta though, she is a very good dog and I just love her to pieces all ready. Allie is just tickled and can't wait for her to sleep in bed with her....though right now it's the cage in my bedroom so I can get her potty trained.

I don't even want to talk about eating today I will just say it's not good at all.

Theresa

Yes Josh is fine-it was just a combination of eating way too fast and all the excitement. He has been totally fine since the incident and although it was a 3 ring circus trying to get the pics, I am glad we did it. I got Maryann a 5x7 of the babies on a sled for her help. I figured it was the least I could do. I will give the other one to Katy when I find out what is going to happen with her. She has been trying to call Maryann collect from jail-I am sure it is to ask for bail money and I told Maryann NO NO NO (maryann is a very big hearted soft touch). Katy has got to learn from her mistakes no ifs ands or buts.

How neat for the puppy! When Josh was small I had a Rottie named Tatanka and he was the best dog I ever had. It was one of the things I lost when I left my ex but I had no idea where we were going to go or stay and it is alot to ask someone to let your 160lb dog to come along too. I did give him to a great home that I knew he would get spoiled alot. I really hope it works out for you guys this time. I can't get a dog until SIL and I buy our duplex or house with finished basement and plus I want the kids a little bigger too. Odessa really isn't crazy at all about dogs and never has been but Amanda loves them to pieces.

I won't talk about food today either-we will just say you aren't alone.
Melissa

Hello
I've been away for 2 days and I haven't had a chance to read everything, but I just wanted to say to Melissa, that kate's new situation is heartbreaking but strangely good. Good because it ends your worries about Kate trying to get Logan back. It will never happen now. And good because maybe, justmaybe , Kate will hit the bottom now and want to accept help. She can't possibly like jail and maybe this will be the wakeup call. I know it's hard, but don't help her now. I've made that mistake and it just prolongs the misery. Kate has to find her own way out and then you will be there for her.
Be strong, OurSuperWoman!!!!!!!!
Laura

Melissa those are some GREAT pictures. What sweet, sweet kids. They are really adorable. Soooo cute. You would never guess what a crazy day you had by looking at the pictures.

Ohhh a puppy! I bet your little ones are on cloud nine today, Theresa! Puppies are so much fun (and so much work, but very worth it)! We have a little Pomeranian, 2 Dalmatians and a Great Pyrenees that lives in the pasture and is a livestock guardian (her job is keeping the coyotes away and she does an amazing job). My older sister had a black lab for years and years and he was an awesome family dog. He grew up with her kids and went to work with her husband every day. He finally had to be put down last summer due to old age, he couldn't even walk anymore, but it was so hard for them to do. I hope you have many, many happy years with your new puppy!

Eating was NOT good for me last night, and today I am struggling to get back with the program (my grandma gave us a 3 pound box of chocolates...just what I need to have around today but I have been able to resist so far). There was just so much good food there last night and I ate way too much of it. I was so full I couldn't even sleep last night. I finally just got out of bed at 5:30 and did worked out until I felt better, and then got ready and went to the Christmas program that my 2 year old niece was in. It was so cute, I'm glad we went.

I have also been asked to make a dessert for Christmas Day so I get to spend today looking at recipes for something that's easy and everybody will like. Must be strong....must be strong...must be strong. Tomorrow we are going shopping in Minnesota for the day so it will be another hard day. I just need to suck it up and get with it and get through the rest of the month.

Melissa-the children are just beautiful. I love the way you dressed the girls. Josh looks so sweet. I love his haircut. Logan is a little pumpkin pie, just like my year old grandson, David, who is delicious.
Thanks for sharing the photos.
Liike Kayelle, I ate way too much good food at a party last night. I resisted all the cakes and pies, but then ate way too many tiny little chocolate cups filled with all sorts of creamy and nutty filling. Each one just a tiny thing, but oh so many. Today is better except for a cookie for breakfast, but hopefully I will be ok calorie wise by the end of the day. Another party invite arrived yesteday. This season is just too hard.
Cadwell-I glad you got a job, even if it's not your dream job. Maybe you will wind up managing a bunch of Starbucks.
Theresa- A puppy is alot of work, but such fun too. I am resisting getting one as our shepherd is an old guy at 10 1/2.
Laura

Any opportunity to show off my lovelies! Maryann bought the girls the dresses and then I got the boys the sweaters. You would never know there were two grandma's just about on the verge of heart failure in the background. Considering the amount and ages of the kids, I think the picture turned out pretty well.
I am just at the point where I am not even trying at this point. I seem to be holding present weight though which is good. I can't imagine how it would be if I had parties to attend on top of it. We all just need to hang on my our eyelashes a bit longer and then life will get back to normal and those tickers will go down again.

I found out that apparently Kate's BF had credit cards that werent his and that is why she is arrested. She says that she didn't know but I am not sure I buy it. Mom and I are sending her a Bible and a book by Joyce Meyer to read while she is in jail. She at least was crying and said she couldn't keep doing this which is a first. She could be looking at two years in Purdy if she is found guilty. I don't know what I will do if my baby goes to prison. Even through all the junk she has pulled on me, it just kills me to think of her there but I know I have to trust God with the situation and if she does go, it is the best thing for her-although that idea boggles the mind.
Melissa

Maybe she will be able to say the cards were BF's and they will make a deal with her that will include rehab. He can go to jail and she can get voluntary rehab. That would get rid of BF. It's good that she is crying. I doubt if a judge would want to throw her in jail if they could get scummy BF.
I have a good friend who needs to get arrested because that is the only way he will stop his use of MJ. Everyone begs, cries offers help etc, and he says it's all ok. He's fine. The only thing that will stop him is to get arrested, as awful as that sounds. Maybe this will be the end for Kate and life will get better for her.
Laura

I don't know that actually going to prison would be the "best" thing for her, but maybe the scare of that would work. Her thing is the drugs, and while in there she is not on them, probably in withdraw, and she's going to think more clearly about what she's doing while she's not drugged up. If it takes her some time to just sit there, stone sober, and think about it, she might be able to turn it around. You should be talking to her about going into rehab to get off the drugs...and that would also look good in court if she is seriously prepared to do that. I think the root of the problem is the drugs and she needs to get off them and ditch the loser...but rehab of some sort would be the first step for her. Sending her the books is a great idea as well. I am glad she sounds like she is at least starting to think about things and realize she can't keep this up. She may have just needed the scare of serious punishment...and hopefully it will just be a scare. Best scenario, they order her into rehab and send loser boyfriend off to prison since he is the one who actually had the cards. Sending him off would be the best thing for Kate.

Kayelle and Laura, hang in there, parties are so difficult. THe little chocolate cups with filling sound amazing, I would have dipped into that as well. Hang in there, you can recover!

I on the other hand, have no excuse for what I have been eating, just that I have been so busy this weekend there has been no time to cook a good meal. We got home at 10PM last night and the kids were tired and cranky, and we ended up with pizza from down the street. Today, I had Taco Bell for lunch, grilled cheese and quesadillas for supper I feel miserable, so tomorrow is OP or die day.

Theresa

I going back on OP first thing tomorrow morning. I don't have to worry about parties or company or eating out till the weekend and it will feel good to be OP at least all week. I don't think I ate enough to gain, but I don't feel so good right now. I feel like old times and I don't like that anymore. I feel so much better when I am OP and I want that feeling back.
Laura

My i have been gone a few days
ok let me digress about a few things on here-
Candace yay! on the job!
The cantata was called the heart of Christmas and I can't carry a tune in a bucket- i am what they call a drama geek- this year tho we used the middle & high schoolers for all parts and we used the childrens choir for angels- so i was one of the assistants to the director. We are now in the planning stages of an Easter production

I am sorry that kate is in jail- especially if she is there over Christmas. But again sometimes we need to hit rock bottom before we can get our lives back on track. I'd hate to see one of my kids go to jail BUT it could save her life - especially if she can get counseling.

Theresa- ooo a puppy. they are so cute when they are puppies - i am a cat person tho. I like SMALL dogs that are sweet- have a huge fear of big dogs- i was attacked by a german shepherd at the age of 6 and I am still afraid of big dogs. I have scars on the back of my thighs and butt from the bites.

I had an accident yesterday- I took a bad fall on the sidewalk and scraped up my right leg & elbow- and tore up my palms pretty bad and did a good number on my left knee, it split the skin all over the knee cap in various areas, tore up my left shin, scraped my left hand up and i am SORE - the wooden sidewalk was wet and i guess it was slimy from being all wet for 3 days and i took one step and down i went. It has been so muggy and wet around here. I will be ok - even with butterfly bandages on the knee- ( i was not going to pay 100.00 copay for 4 stiches) i guess i was more embarrassed then anything at first.
I had a party on Friday and was ehh on eating there- Saturday was good- today don't want to discuss it. and yeah i feel Eww tonight. I also feel much better when i eat better. and i am back on it tomorrow - exercise is out right now so i will have to be careful.
Jocie and I are going to go see Narnia tomorrow afternoon. She was given the whole set by one of her teachers this Christmas. The teacher said she wasn't supposed to give gifts BUT she knew jocie could read them and understand them so.
I still have shopping to do! Arrgh-
Have a great night all!
Sandi

OUCH! Sandi, that sounds like it hurt bad...and a strike to the ego as well, but we all need that from time to time. Keeps us grounded whether we like it or not. I watched hubby fall as well yesterday, on the ramp coming down from the storage building out back, but he was okay. THe kids later used that ramp for a winter slide of sorts until mean old mama made them stop anyway. I was worried they'd get splinters in sensitive spots.

New day, new week, and I am going back OP. I just feel sick from eating the wrong stuff and I can take this week before Christmas to get back to feeling good.

Todays goals: under 1500 calories, lots of water, 3 exercise sessions.

Theresa

Sandi-Sounds like a bad fall. I hope you feel better quickly.
Theresa- I'm with you. OP all week. I feel better just thinking about it.
Laura

ouch ouch ouch! I do agree that the embarrassment outweighs the injury. I fell myself couple months back and felt like an idiot and I can't even say it was due to anything slick. I was just not looking where I was going and tripped on a curb-no way I was gonna go in and explain that one but it was just scrapes too-yours was worse and hope the healing process is fast for you.

Today we tackle the grocery store and it will be the last time I have to go do anything related for Christmas. I can concentrate on getting the house company ready and hope it stays fairly decent. I found out the other truckers are a married couple who drive together so I hope they can handle all the kids lol. I also found out Dennis will be picking him up Christmas day and will keep him until I get back from Bellevue and he gave me 100.00 even though I told him he wouldn't get credit through support enforcement for it. I guess my daughter even called him to get bailed out and also my mother's brother who she hasn't seen for years. My parents told her last night to stop calling and to grow up and take her lumps. They will let her call them once a week since it is collect which I am so happy my parents are dealing mostly with her. I just don't know how well I would handle things and she doesn't need me to be emotional too. Ok finishing up kids and will check in later after I recover from shopping.
melissa

I am ok just a bit sore- got lots of Sympathy from family and bosses so i can handle the owies for now!

My diet has flown out the window- my days are crazed right now
my house is a wreck- i have too much to do and all i really want to do is crawl into bed and snuggle in with a good book and 50 lbs of chocolate.

I got 4 gifties today -2 boxes of candy and 2 boxes of cookies
VERY BAD GIFTIES they are all going straight to the youth Department
Those calories I do not need! 1 piece of the candy had like 100 calories and 13 grams of fat or something like that
Narnia got put off till tuesday - we are making a trip to Santa's house today and i have to go to walmart this afternoon to take my eldest so she can shop
Then Tuesday it's grocery store and Narnia,
Wednesday night it's walmart and target for last minutes gifts
Thursday night is clean house for company Friday
and work too every day but at least i get Sat, Sun & Monday off and i can relax on Christmas- Saturday i have to be here cause of the candlelight services thats only an hour - but we always have a small family thingy and EAT afterwards. I am not going to beat myself up over eating. I am trying to make wise choices and not go NUTS over the holidays. so far i haven't binged or eaten 50 lbs of chocolate so so far so good.