I had an appointment with my new endocrinologist on Monday to get the results of my lab work. My thyroid levels have continued to remain completely normal since my surgery last March, which is awesome, however, it was also very frustrating because of the way I’ve been feeling lately. He did, however, see that some of my vitamin levels, vitamin D in particular, are quite low. As a result, I’m now taking a children’s multi-vitamin and I’m also taking the kids’ Juice Plus+. Someone recommended the children’s multi-vitamin gummies because they taste great, you don’t have to swallow a pill, and they’re absorbed into your system faster. They taste just like regular gummie bears and there are only 15 calories for two. I take three to make sure I’m getting the recommended values for adults. I’m excited to see if these two changes/additions will help me start feeling better.

Oh CRAP, I hear the trash truck coming down the street and Josh forgot to take the trash to the curb last night! UGHH! Better run.

~audrey

I can’t believe this is my first post since last Friday!? What has gotten into you woman??
I have really been in a funk lately. I’m tired, irritable, and just down right blah. I’m trying to push through it, but it’s definitely been tough. I just feel run down. I can’t even completely explain it. No, I am definitely not pregnant. I know I should be going to bed earlier than I do most nights, but I’ve just been getting lost in the stack of books on my bed side table. I’ll start off excited that I’m in bed at 8:45pm. I’ll pick up a book, read for a while, move to another book for several chapters, put that one down to write down a recipe or add something to tomorrow’s to-do list, and suddenly is 11:30pm!! Oops.

My friend Kelli asked her friends/readers to share what they are reading and she did a post on several books that her family is reading at the moment. I love seeing what other people are reading and why. It’s a great way to find new books that you didn’t even know existed!

Right now there is a small stack of books on my bed side table. I recently borrowed The Pioneer Woman’s cookbook from a friend.

I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!! You would think, “how exciting can a cookbook possibly be??” but let me tell you, you must have this cookbook! She tells stories, shares her family, has magnificent photography from their ranch sprinkled throughout the colorful pages, and the best part is, each and every recipe has step-by-step photographic instructions. In my opinion, there has never been a greater cookbook. I loved it so much after flipping through it once, that I’ve already gotten two other copies. The first copy was for my sweet cousin, Liza, who graciously opened her home to me while I was in Arkansas for my grandmother’s funeral. Her husband is a chef and I thought they’d enjoy the book. Secondly, when I got home from Arkansas, I realized that SOMEONE (I seriously don’t know who) got water all over the kitchen counter, the water seemed to have slowly made it’s way to a small stack of books and papers and never got cleaned up. The BORROWED cookbook was on the bottom of that soggy pile!?!! SOOooo, I had to go out and buy my friend a new copy. She’ll never know…unless she has started reading my blog and I don’t know it. Hmm. I was secretly VERY excited to have to go out and buy her a new copy so I could keep the damaged one. The only thing wrong with it is the beautiful book jacket is wrinkled now because it got wet. The book itself is just as good as new. If you want it, buy it at Walmart!! $19.99. I don’t know if they carry it at Sam’s Club, but I’m sure it would be even cheaper there if they do. I found a copy at Border’s because our Walmart didn’t have any, but I paid $28!! Yuck!

Wow, that was a large paragraph for a cookbook.

Anyways, I’m also reading Sarah Palin’s book, Going Rogue.

Being a multi-tasking, passionate, strong mother of three, I really fell in love with Sarah Palin on the campaign trail. I know many people had many emotions and feelings towards her, and I’m not going to get into politics, but her book is excellent. I’m barely half way through it and I haven’t really even gotten into the ‘political stuff’ yet. She’s an excellent writer and storyteller; not to mention an amazing woman with a fascinating family history. I’ll definitely be sharing this one when I’m finished.

I found a Children’s World Atlas book at Border’s last night for $5.99. It’s huge; probably 11″x14″ Joshua has new geography memory work every week and I’ve been looking for something other than a large map on the wall to help him identify and enjoy his geography work.

Several times a year, I go back to my little book that I received in the mail almost two years ago when I first began homeschooling. It is “Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit“, by Terri Maxwell.

This little book packs a lot of punch and always, without fail, puts me back in my place and helps me get refocused on why I’m doing this hard thing that is homeschooling. If you homeschool and have never read this book, it’s a must buy. It’s only $7 on their website and it’s worth every penny. They have several excellent books and materials for homeschooling families. Check out their site.

I’m not reading any chapter books with the kids right now, but we’ll be starting one/some soon. Our lack of cable has gently forced us back into an evening routine of bath time, games, and stories before bed. Not that we didn’t do those things when we did have cable, but it’s different somehow, when you know there really is nothing else to do. I’m loving it. We may even go to the library today so we can find a few new books to read this month. I’ve always found it important to read chapter books to my children at an early age. In this generation of over-stimulated, over-entertained, lazy, self-centered children, I want mine to love and appreciate the arts. I want my children to grow up craving the next great book. And certainly I want them to love the word of God. We read Little House in the Big Woods last year, so we may pick up the next one in the series. I’d also like to find a book that tells stories of missionary families. We had Hero Tales with our Sonlight curriculum, but I sold that last year. Do you know of any or do you have any must reads that you recommend for children? Do share!

~audrey

The scale was kind to me this morning. No change from last week, and I’m satisfied with that after the week I’ve had.

My January goal is to workout with “Jillian’s 30-Day Shred” at least three times a week and walk/run (outside) at least once a week. My other goal is to be out of the 200′s by January 29th (my last weigh-in for January). I can do that.

I have a killer headache, so I’m going to go lay down. Have a great weekend!!

~audrey

We just started Financial Peace University at church last Sunday. I am SO excited about getting out of debt and on our way to financial freedom. We have already read through Dave Ramsey’s “Total Money Makeover” and loved it. Unfortunately, life happens, and our debt snowball hasn’t ever gotten any momentum. We are more than ready to make the sacrifices it’s going to take to get out of debt and finally build our savings and retirement. Two of my favorite quotes by Dave Ramsey are:

“Live like no one else, so you can live like no one else.”

and

“Normal is broke. Be weird!”

He stresses how important it is for both spouses to be equally as committed and enthusiastic. I’m so thankful that Josh is the one who pushed for us to sign up for FPU. I’ve already found myself saying no to little things that I have always said yes to. For example, yesterday, I got a call from a friend asking if I’d like her to pick up a coffee for me at Starbucks before she comes over. Normally my response would be, “YES, thank you! I’ll pay you back when you get here.” But instead I said no. When she arrived at my house, she had a coffee for me! Starbucks made her the wrong drink by mistake, told her to keep the wrong one and also made her a new one! I had no doubt that that was a sweet little blessing for my obedience in saying no.

I just posted my treadmill for sale on Facebook. I know it isn’t the wisest thing to sell your treadmill when you just committed to lose a LOT of weight, but I feel it is something that I need to do to jump start our saving and debt reduction.

I also checked prices and we’ve decided to cancel our cable and switch from Comcast to Knology for internet in order to save over 60% per month.

This is a good start. :)

Tomorrow–week two weigh-in. I’m scared. Very scared. It’s been a long, rough week of traveling, eating out with family, and ‘funeral food’ (you know, food that neighbors and family bring over when a loved one dies—never healthy, always comfort foods and junk food—bad.bad.bad.). WE’LL SEE!

~audrey