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36 Years

Don't I look great for 36?? ;-)

So much has happened this 36th year. I have left a beloved town, church, house, and friends and reconnected with old friends and our church, made new friends, and made a lot of changes in how I live my life. Phew! I feel like a new person. A stronger, leaner, smarter, money-making, Southern-living again, more patient person.

This next year I will start working full-time, continue my new healthy lifestyle, build or buy a new home and watch/cry/smile as my baby starts K4 and goes to school every day. I hope I emerge with a closer, more intimate relationship with Jesus (and an even skinnier body). For He does indeed know the plans He has for us and I am getting excited as they are being unveiled - good or bad.

May Jeremy and I continue to place our family in God's hands and become more and more 1 instead of 2.

Happy Birthday to me!

Change is hard

I have been through alot of change in the last year. It's hard. It may seem easy for a while and then, BAM, I hit the wall and it seems impossible and I want to run the other way. I am feeling this with the move to AL, Jeremy's new job and schedule, my new job in August, a new house sometime soon and , particularly, my weight loss and exercise schedule. I've been cruising along for 4 months and now I feel like I am starting to go in reverse. I haven't put any weight back on but I feel like I'm stuck in the mud. I went running Sunday and it didn't go well. I had to stop at 2.5 miles because I was seeing black spots. It's a catch -22. I follow my diet and I don't have enough carbs to run; I eat carbs so I can run and, besides the fact that starting to eat them makes me want to eat a ton of them, my weight loss slows to a crawl. I will not be able to run until Friday because of my schedule and I am wondering how to balance my diet with my running. I want to be successful with my running but I need a different diet to be able to do it right. I REALLY want to be done with the weight loss. I only have 11 pounds to go and I am determined to be done by the end of May. See what I mean?? It's a catch-22. I have been doing lots of research on running and nutrition and I am definitely not eating enough carbs. I wish I had the cash to see a sports nutritionist...but I don't. In a perfect world, I would loss the 11 pounds AND have enough energy to run the 8K I am registered for on May 9th. I am starting to have some doubts...

It was 1 year ago today that Jeremy was laid-off and our lives changed drastically. Today is our sweet daughter, Brantley's 9th birthday. We love you sweetheart!

Here's a picture of me now. It's definitely an improvement, isn't it? I'll add a few more from the last month.

Happy 9th Birthday, B!!!!!!

A-Day Game - Tuscaloosa, AL

Another day

Just another day in the Anderson house. Jeremy will be home this afternoon and we are going to Maundy Thursday services. We are having communion and the older kids have only done it a few times and are looking forward to being able to participate again. There will also be a dramatic presentation of the Last Supper. As I approach Good Friday, I am in awe at the gift of God's grace. May we all be mindful of this as we do egg hunts, eat chocolate bunnies and deviled eggs, visit with family and dress in our pretty clothes.
HAPPY EASTER AND MAY GOD GET ALL THE GLORY AND HONOR ON THIS SPECIAL WEEKEND.

Don't the kids look cute in this picture?

Wondering....

....why Brooke is ALWAYS asking if she can have a piece of candy, "just one piece, mama"

....when I will reach my weight loss goal and will I be a size 10 or an 8

...how I will ever run 6 miles

...how to become a proactive homemaker instead of a reactive one

...if I'll ever find the perfect black eyelet sundress I've been searching for

...where our new house will be and what will it look like

...what my hair would look like if that guy on "What Not to Wear" got a hold of it

...why there was a HUGE line at the post office yesterday

...if I'll have friends at work next year

...how much it really hurts to have a tummy tuck and boob lift

...when my kids' sore throats will go away

...why my run was easy today and a killer yesterday

...why I can't find a place like "Sharp Shopper" in Birmingham

...if I should get a pedicure for Easter

...if I can keep my kitchen clean

...why God loves me so much. What have I done to deserve it?





...

Spring Break 2009

Here are some pictures of our trip to the Gulf a few weeks ago. I took this in Destin Harbor on our dolphin cruise.
Such a cutie!

It was a little windy on the boat! My hair looks terrible...

On the docks after the dolphin cruise. The sunset was gorgeous!

We had a great time and hope to go again soon- I LOVE the beach!!!!

Hello, is there anyone out there??

I haven't written anything in so long, I'm sure no one will even read this. I have had a busy winter. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and it feels good. Here are the highlights:

• My diet and exercise program are going great! I have lost 35 pounds so far and am in week 5 of a "10 weeks to a 10K" training schedule. I hope to loose 15-20 more pounds. I feel great and am very proud of my accomplishment. After I lose 3 more pounds, my BMI will be in the normal range and my cholesterol had dropped from 231 to 178. I feel like a new woman.


• I will start teaching online math classes for Virginia College Online in a few weeks. I will do this through the summer.


• I got a job for the fall! I will be teaching math at Briarwood Christian High School. This is where I went to school and my kids will all be transferring there next school year. We are thrilled.


• We will not be buying a house until August. This has been a sore spot for me but God is teaching me patience and to be thankful for my many blessings. This has made me face the fact that I am a spoiled brat. Not pretty...


• I am busy taking grad. classes in order to have my teaching certificate renewed. Yuk! I'll be done with this in May.


• The kids are good. I worry about changing their school again and how that will affect them. I just want them to be happy and have friends who love them. They still miss PA.


• I am still getting adjusted here. I don't socialize all that much. I'm very busy but still get lonely at times.


• Jeremy's job is going well. He is SUPER busy and always has more to do. He likes it, though, and I think it is where he should be. He still travels a good bit.


• Pray that I will spend time in the Bible. I don't spend time with God very much and usually just try to make it on my own. How dumb is that??

I will post some new pictures when I download them from my camera.

Here is one from February of Wolfe, me, Brooke and her friend, Jamie.

Happy New Year!

2009 holds alot of changes for us/me:

• We will be buying a new house and we still aren't quite sure what state we will settle is - Mississippi or Alabama. I am trusting God with this doozy!
• I am on a weight loss plan that is drastically changing my relationship with food. I will not share weekly updates, but will post an after picture this spring. Please pray for me as I tackle this thorn in my side.
• I am going to go back to teaching high school mathematics this fall. I have let my certificate expire and must take 3 graduate level education courses to have it reinstated. I start that in 10 days or so.

We are all thrilled about the new year and the adventure that it holds for our family. Pray that we will have unwavering faith in God's promises and that we will love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

It's been too long

So I guess it's time for an new post. This is the longest I've gone without letting you know how we are. I must admit that having a blog and a facebook account is a little much. My blog has suffered because of it.
Well, we are finally settled in Birmingham. We officially moved into my mother's old house a week ago. Half of our stuff is in storage and the other half is here. We are still surrounded by boxes, but we are making progress. My job today is Wolfe's room and a little bit of the master. There is still some furniture that needs to be removed from Wolfe's room but I think by the time he goes to sleep is should be completed - much to his delight!
My friend, Jennifer, came over yesterday and helped me decorate for Christmas. She made the mantle look so pretty! It is so strange decorating so late. Usually it's all done the weekend after Thanksgiving. Oh well, it will just have to stay up way into January!
I am going back to school in January. I let my Alabama teacher's certificate expire in 2007 (stupid!) and I have to take 3 graduate level education courses to have it reinstated. I will be super busy keeping up with all that, being a mom and wife, and still tutoring 6-8 hours a week. I'm sure I won't be seen very much until May!
I was planning on leading a small Bible Study this spring but I just don't see how that's practical. I'm really disappointed. I was really looking forward to the Christian fellowship and shared study of the Bible.
We are going to lay pretty low over Christmas break. We are going to my mom's in Atlanta for a few days, but that's it. Jeremy and I are both really looking forward to it. He doesn't work much over the holidays, so we are excited about lots of family time.
I hope that gets everyone up-to-date on my life right now. We really miss Pennsylvania and our dear friends there but I am going to "bloom where I am planted".
Merry Christmas to all!!!
p.s. My Christmas cards are going to be New Year's cards this year. If you don't have it, our new address is :2643 Rillwood Road Birmingham, AL 35243

It's almost done

I wanted to post a recent pic of the kids. My friend took this last week. Still trying for the Christmas Card picture!
The reason the post is called "It's almost done" is because we have set a closing date for our house in PA. Its is going to be Dec. 12th. We are coming to PA after Thanksgiving to pack the house and the movers come the week of the 7th. We are still trying to find a house here. Pray that will happen within the next week!

We have a contract!!

Today we signed a contract on the sale of our house! It is contingent on the sale of their home in Hempfield but it looks like that should not be too big of a deal. We are thrilled to have this behind us and move on into our own home again. We still miss everyone terribly and can't wait to come back to visit when we pack up the house for the last time. Love to all!

Visit to PA

To all my PA friends, I will be coming to visit this weekend. Jeremy and I will only be there briefly, though. We will be arriving late Friday night and leaving Sunday morning. We'll be at the house on Saturday doing some yard work and packing up a few things we forgot to bring to Alabama with us. This house is still for sale and I need to make it look pretty for fall. We'd love to see anyone who wants to drop in on Saturday!

Brantley

Just had a few pictures of B with one of her new friends, Amy. She is adjusting so well to the move. Such an answer to prayer!

Brantley and Amy had gone out back to play in the yard and creek when I heard all kind of squeals and laughter. When I looked out the window this is what I saw! Isn't it great to be a kid??

Exercise

I have never really liked to exercise. I know, not that many people do, but I have always wanted to love to exercise. To be strong, lean, confident, and powerful. I have dreamed of being a runner; of being able to run long distances. I have wondered what that felt like, and why I have never been able to do it when others have. I have actually prayed for God to give me a love for running. Last week I started to jog. Jeremy told me that I ran too fast and that was why I never could run for very far without wanting to throw up and being in a very bad mood afterward, wishing I had never done it and dreading when I would have to put on my running shoes again. So, last week I ran slower. It worked! I ran for 25 min. the first time, 40 minutes the next time, and 40 minutes the 3rd time. I have never run for that long in my entire life. I ran 2.7 miles without stopping and felt like I could have run farther. Halelujah! Many of you may remember my failed attempt at running a 5K back in May. I never even registered for the race. Well, I am back in the game and am going to hunt for another one to run. I may be the last one to finish but I am determined to do this. While I was running last week I realized that it gave me 40 minutes to pray for people and to talk to God. That is exactly what I did and it was great! I look forward to spending a lot more time talking to God while I run...

Good News!

For all of my sweet friends in PA who frequently ask about my mom, she is getting married in November! We have lots of planning to do and lots of pounds to lose before then! I may be able to come and visit at the first of October, can't wait!!

I know WHERE we're moving!!

We just found out that we will be relocating to Birmingham, Alabama! (not Memphis, TN as we had thought) It is our hometown and we are so thrilled to be moving back home!! We can't believe that through all of these trials that we are actually going to be back where we started. God is good!

Too cute..

Brooke has been taking a nap for 4 hours and is still sleeping!! I went in to check on her and this is what I found. She must not have gone to bed when I thought she did -notice the wings! I just love catching my kids in moments like this. I want her to stay this cute and tiny forever!!

New Songs

The first song is one of my all time favorites! I wish it was a better recording. Many hours were spent at band parties dancing to this and others similar.
#2 just makes me laugh...collards, anyone?? Alabama, here we come!

pray!!

Someone's coming to look at the house tomorrow. Pray for an offer!!!

Finally...

Jeremy is coming to see us!! We had planned to not see him until August 9th but we both can't wait that long. (Maybe my teary phone call last night broke him..) He is driving 14.5 hours on Friday, staying the weekend and driving back on Monday. Isn't he a sweetheart??? I'm going to keep it a secret and let him surprise the kids. They are going to go berserk!