Fall festival!

Last Friday night we got to go to the fall festival at the kids school. My rock star and vampire looked dashing, we stocked up on some candy, failed miserably at the cake walk... But the hit of the evening was the just dance dance off in Noah's classroom!

Oh Lukey...

18 months is a fantastic age.  Luke is so curious.  Ella told everyone at the doctor the other day that her brother is a troublemaker.  And I agree- but in a good way!  Luke has one speed - and that speed is GO!  I have been so blessed by this little man.  He has such a sweet spirit.  He's quieter than I expected.  If he's especially quiet and you don't know where he is - he's playing in the toilet.  (I believe its just because he wants a bath, this guy loves bath time and he knows toilet time= mandantory sanitation).  He has the best personality.  I love this guy to pieces.  And I am so thankful to be able to stay at home with him during this stage of his life.  I don't want to miss a moment of this crazy guys antics.  I'm so glad you are mine Lukey.

My girl

Ella Bella.  Gracie-girl.  Peanut.  That's my girl.  Kindergartener.  Big Sister.  Buddy.  Drama-queen.  Dress up princess.  How do you put a label on the best, spunkiest 5 year old out there?  Ella cracks me up.  She is so funny.  So quick to get excited.  So quick to speak her mind (where does she get that?).  So silly.  So stinking beautiful.  And have you seen those blue eyes?  Ella has been through a lot lately and her strength has amazed me.  She has some thick skin to go through all she's been through with a brave face.  I am so thankful that God gave me a daughter.  I am so proud to be her mom.  Thankful.  Proud.   

What's up Noah?

This boy.  I love him.  He is awesome.  And he's mine.  Daily I am thankful for the help that he gives me around the house.  He is the best big brother.  He has the best laugh.  Every morning on the way to school we discuss whether or not I'm going to embarass him when he gets out of the car.  My father instilled it in me - show love through embarassment.  And even when I choose not to shout loudly "I love you Noah!!!" out the window as he walks into the school - he still looks back at least three times at me grinning the whole way in.  His imagination is still working in full force and I don't want the day to come when he "grows out of it."  He loves to read - pretty much anything.  He loves loves loves to sing.  He would steal my phone all day to you tube music videos and sing if I let him.  And he has such a beautiful voice.  He is well behaved and kind 95% of the time.  (A much better percentage than myself).  His teachers love him.  He's a good friend.  He makes me so proud.  If I could put a book on his head to stop him from growing I would.  I want time to slow down, Noah.  It's going by too quickly.

My babes

I decided to try to take pictures of my kids to replace the ones on my living room wall.  I learned quickly that 18 month olds will not sit still long enough for you to mess with the settings on your camera to take a semi-decent picture.  But we had a lot of fun anyway - because we were outside!  I love fall and the beauty that surrounds us right now.  But most of all, I love these crazy munchkins.

If you look up the word "trouble" in the dictionary - this look, this child, probably this photo is by the definition.

Laughing at his brother.

Practicing for halloween - Ella wants to be a rockstar.

A Visit to Remember

 Thursday night we had the blessing of getting to visit with my grandparents.  Rachel and her kiddos came up for the evening and we all headed to Aunt Mel and Uncle Marks house in Asheville for dinner.  It was so so very good to see everyone.  So often I wish that all of my family lived closer.  But that only makes the moments I do get to see everyone so much more precious.  I love all these people to pieces.

My girl

Friday my brave girl went through allergy and asthma testing at a new doctor. She did so well!! We found out she is allergic to only dust. And that she definitely has asthma. The doctor believes Ella caught a nasty viral bug and that is why she had such a hard time for weeks. Our new treatment is a proactive dose of medicine every day via a nebulizer. We also have an action plan for each cold she gets in the future. We have high hopes that from here on out we will be able to control her asthma.

Thanks you all for praying for her as we are going down this new path. My girl is strong, brave, and infinitely beautiful. I'm proud she is mine.

What?

It's becoming evident to others that I have made some lifestyle changes and I get asked on a regular basis "what in the world are you doing?!"

So my faithful readers I wanted to give you a glimpse into my weight watchers lifestyle. I have found that preparation is key. If you are not in control of your food choices, it will control you- and not in a good way.

Every day I start the day with oatmeal. Why you ask? Because it keeps me full until lunch. Fiber one cereal does the same trick - but it makes you gassy (I found out the hard way).

For lunch I have a sandwich/lean cuisine meal/ or left overs from the night before. I pair that every day with a fruit salad. Half a banana, one kiwi, and 4-5 strawberries. Lean cuisine (or other healthy frozen meals) are super small portions so I always eat fruit with them.

At about 2:00 I need a pick me up so I have a cup of coffee and a snack. Some of my favorites are baby carrots and hummus (2 points per tablespoon!), laughing cow cheese and wheat ritz, Swiss cheese sticks, nuts, etc.

Dinner I am eating whatever I fix the family - just a much smaller portion than before.

And I always have a snack about 8;00 after the kids are in bed. Usually a 80 calorie ice cream sandwich.

I no longer drink regular Pepsi. I drink coke Zero when I miss it. And I try to drink a ton of water.

I try to get into the gym or challenge myself on a walking trail at least 3 times a week. I am always doing something different to challenge my body. And I do planks. Lots of planks.

This has helped me lose 24 pounds in 3 months. My goal is to be through my weight loss journey and into maintenance mode by march.

If you need any encouragement along your journey or want to know more about mine- email me at sarahsiak@yahoo.com. Id love to chat!

Month 3 accountability

It's the end of my 3rd month. This was a big month. I hit two of my goals. First I lost 10% of my total body weight (for which I got a super sweet weight watchers key chain!) and I hit my number that I weighed when I got pregnant with Ella.

This months loss - 6 pounds even. Total loss 23.8 pounds.

I am excited about the changes that I have made. And that with each day as I make better decisions, my pants get looser or I get to go down another size (down almost 6 sizes in my pants!), that the real benefit is that I am choosing to be healthier for my family for the long run.

Parent teacher conferences.

I can't believe its already been 6 weeks since I dropped them off for their first day. Tonight we met with Ms Parker and Mrs Hamilton. Ella is doing great. She is at the "advanced table" in her class. She is learning a lot and adapting well to kindergarten! Noah is excelling in the academically gifted program and is testing way beyond 3rd grade. They make me so proud. So very proud.

Israels first Birthday party!

We had the blessing of getting to travel to Jacksonville, Alabama last weekend to celebrate our nephew Israel's first birthday.  It was a WONDERFUL weekend!  I was so glad we got to be there.  It was my first time to get my hands on him and I already miss his sweet face, smell, soft hair, smile, basically all of him.  I wish that we lived closer!