Wednesday weigh in is here once again and this week it has me down a pound.  Woo Hoo!!  Probably thanks to the fact there the birthday cake is no longer calling my name.  Yay!  I've focused on exercise and neglected focusing on nutrition this week, but in my defense it has been a hairy, scary, busy week!  With baseball every night.  Fun times and I sure will miss it when the boys grow up.

I've done well with the running and added some interval training to try to get my speed up some.  It helped today!

Week 11 ~ March 14

Lost this Week ~ - 1 lbs

Overall Lost ~ -13.6 lbs

The pic this week is not as flattering, but I can tell the loss in my face so I consider it a success!!  Have a great week everyone.  See you next week!

~Charissa 

Family Friday ~ Weekly Wrap Up

Hope everyone has had a wonderful week and is looking forward to a fabulous weekend!!  It has been a busy one around here and I thought it would be fun to look back one day and remember some of the things that I might otherwise forget so welcome to Family Friday and the Weekly Wrap Up.

Life around here is busy at best.  With three of the most amazing boys ever (ok, so maybe I am a little biased!), there is always something happening.

This week we have ushered in the joy of baseball as baseball season has begun with our first Fun Day game at Speake last night.  Jacob played his first game as part of the Caddo Eagles and his first ever game playing in 8 and under with the pitching machine.  He had fun and we were worried that the game would get rained out, but praise God that the rain held off until after the game.  Too bad we had to drive in the downpour, but it is much better than watching a game in the downpour!

Tonight, Andrew plays his first game of the season and he couldn't be more excited.  It is a late game (starts at 8!) so I pray that we can all stay up long enough to enjoy it and have good attitudes.  We are morning peeps and staying out late is not the norm for us.  Andrew is playing on the Caddo Vipers again this year as part of the 10 and under team.  He has the same coach that he had the year before last and he loves him.  It will be a fun year.

Caleb is chomping at the bit for t-ball to start.  Signups should be at the end of the month and so Caleb has been outside practicing and working on hitting the ball that I pitch to him.  He is so excited about ball that he even brings his ball and glove to school so he can practice with his friends.

This weekend is a busy one, but we are looking forward to it.  Jacob's birthday party had to be postponed last week because of the weather, but we will be partying tomorrow at Chuck E Cheese.  Cupcakes are baked and waiting to be iced.  Sunday we will be going roller skating with Awana and while we are there the boys have been invited to a birthday party at the same time/place so it should be a super fun day for them!!  

We are excited to see what next week has in store and hopefully, I will be a good momma and remember to take some pics this week to share.

~Charissa

Treasury Thursday ~ Tangerine Orange for Spring

Etsy.com has been a huge inspiration for me as a designer and crocheter and lover of all things handmade.  There is so much eye candy.  I love to browse around and check out what other crafters are making.  Here's some of my favorites for the week!

~Charissa

Well, it is that time of the week again!  Wednesday Weigh In.  This week has been tougher than others as it has been hectic.  The tornadoes that came through on Friday changed all my plans and we had to postpone Jacob's party and grocery shopping so we ate out.  And I ate WAY too much!!

Week 9 ~ March 7

Lost this Week ~ + 1 lbs

Overall Lost ~ -12.6 lbs

Notice that the before and Week 10 shirt is the same shirt!  Wow!  What a BIG difference!

It really surprised me what a difference I could tell in how I felt and my energy level based on one day of eating junk food.  Thankfully, I was able to get in running on the treadmill so the weekend was not a total loss.

~Charissa 

Training Tues ~ Smartphone Apps for Weight Loss

This week, I am excited to share some of the smartphone (Android for me, but most are available on iPhone as well) apps that have helped me to lose some weight.  The apps make my life easier and allow me to stay motivated while not taking time away from the important things in life.

The first one is the app that I use to track my running pace, distance, route, and goal setting.  It is called RunStar.  There is a free version and a paid version.  I have the paid version because I like that it will update to DailyMile which updates my total miles to the blog.

Another app that I love is the WayFM app.  This app allows me to listen to the radio while running and not need to purchase any music.  Love!

I also use DoggCatcher to download and listen to podcasts as I run.

For the Weight Watchers program that I am using to help lose weight, I have downloaded a barcode scanner and a Points Calculator.

Hope that these apps help to keep someone else motivated.  What apps have you found and love?  I would love to hear from you!

Menu Plan Monday ~ March 5, 2012

It's Monday.  Time for dinner planning.  Without a plan, my brain just shuts down about what to cook for dinner.  I hope to share some recipes soon and to find some yummy new ones.  This week is pretty busy with kids in ball so the dinners are easy too!  Here's what we're having for dinner:

Monday - Beef Tips and Rice
Tuesday - Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy (Cooked in Bulk and Frozen with canned gravy!)
Wednesday - Mexican Pizza
Thursday - Lasagna (Make Ahead)
Friday - Stuffed Peppers (Make Ahead and Crockpot)
Saturday - Pan Fried Chops and Crack Potatoes
Sunday -  Jambalaya and Cornbread Muffins

What's for dinner at your house this week?

Linked to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie

Happy Birthday Jacob!

Although his official party was postponed because of the tornadoes and bad weather, we still celebrated at home and enjoyed a delicious cake from Mountain Edge Cakes. Happy 7th Birthday to my sweet Jacob!

Jacob is such a sweet young man. I am thrilled to be his Mama. Here are some milestones and things about Jacob that I don't want to forget from this year:

~You are a kind, loving, and compassionate young man. You always make sure to think of others.

~Whenever we are out and you get a treat, you always ask if we can bring some home to your brothers.

~You are a super reader! You love to cuddle and read all your AR stories at night.

~You are super creative and have a magnificent vocabulary. You think outside of the box and approach problems from a solution based perspective.

~You are loved more than you can imagine and I pray that you will always remember that Mommy and Daddy love you, but Jesus loves you more! You are never alone and are always loved.

Happy Happy Birthday to my sweet Jacob!

~Charissa

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Hot Pink Zebra Stripe - Ribbon Ruffle Rosette Trio - Big Girl Headband - $11.50

Ribbons, Ruffles, and Rosettes make up this modern big girl headband. The headband features a ribbon ruffle with a trio or crochet rosettes. Each rosette has a bead center. The headband is modern and fresh in hot pink with a zebra and hot pink ribbon accented by a trio of hot pink rosettes.



Wear it with your favorite jeans and cardigan or dress it up with a bright sundress. Either way you or your sweet...

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Girl Crochet Cloche Hat - Vintage Inspired LUCY - Dogwood Heather Pink and Cream Rosette Flowers - Newborn, Infant, Baby, Toddler - $23.00

{Update} This beautiful vintage feel crochet beanie would make your little girl's wardrobe pop. The soft cream rosettes are so sweet and dainty. Each rosette is hand crocheted and sewn onto the beanie. This beanie would be adorable in your next photo shoot.



The hat has been crocheted with a 100% cotton yarn that is great for all seasons. The edge of the beanie features a delicate scallop.



Ea...

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Wednesday Weight In ~ Week 9

Well, it is that time of the week again!  Wednesday Weigh In.  Please excuse the sad cell pic this week.  It was earlier than usual when I took this pic and it was a little dark.  These pictures are such an encouragement to me as I can see the weight coming off.  Yay!

Week 9 ~ February 29

Lost this Week ~ -1.4 lbs

Overall Lost ~ -13.6 lbs

Looking forward to next week!  This has been a good week as far as excercise and eating, but Jacob's birthday is tomorrow and I'm a little worried that the cake from Mountain Edge Cakes is going to be too much to resist!  Kim's cakes are always beautiful and delicious!

~Charissa 

Training Tuesday ~ Couch to 5K

It's been nearly 9 weeks since I went to the gym to find them closed and determined that now would be a great time to try that running program I heard about a while back.  First of all, let me say that I am not a runner, but I dream of being a runner.  There is something fascinating about being able to go out for a run and come back feeling like your body has been worked and pushed. 

So, on January 4, 2012, I began the Couch to 5K program with high hopes and big expectations.  The first week of running 60 seconds and walking 60 seconds, I thought I was going to just pass out in the middle of the living room.  Looking ahead to the 5 and 8 minute runs looked nearly impossible.  And I thought they were joking when they mentioned a 35 minute run at the end.  Um, there is no way! 

Well, it is possible and can be done.  Here are some tips and things that I have learned:

• Stick with it!  The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time, but you have to keep biting. 
• Start slowly.  If you are not able to run the whole time the Couch to 5K says to, slow down.  Try running slower.  When I started, it was the saddest slowest jog ever.  I could walk faster than I could jog.
• Make it part of your routine.  Look at the day ahead and determine when the best time to run will be.  Some days, I run in the morning outside, some in the afternoon, and some in the evening.  It just depends on the day's activities.
• Find what motivates you.  I add a sticker to my family wall calendar each day after I run and it helps to keep me motivated and on track.  Seeing the sticker reminds me that I have done something good for myself and in turn for my family.  When Momma feels better, everybody wins!

What motivates you? 

~Charissa

Menu Plan Monday ~ February 27th

Good morning!!  Around here, not planning dinner is not really an option.  If it gets close to dinnertime and I haven't planned it, my brain just shuts down!  So, I thought it would be fun to join Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday to find some new dinner ideas and share my own.  Each week I will post our dinner plans and eventually, I will add the recipes and points values for WW+. 

Monday - Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy, Steamed Broccoli, Fruit
Tuesday - Spaghetti with Homemade Garlic Cheese Biscuits
Wednesday - Frito Pie (YUM!) and Fruit
Thursday - Happy Birthday to Jacob! ~ Chicken Tacos and Fruit
Friday - Chuck E Cheese ~ Jacob Party Night
Saturday - Pan Fried Chops with Crack Potatoes and Fruit
Sunday - BBQ Chicken Sandwiches with Baked Fries and Fruit

Can you tell that we like fruit with dinner?  Ha! 

What's your favorite dinner?  What's on the menu at your house this week?

Family Fun Friday ~ Just Plain Me!

This week I am reminded of how very much God loves each of us.  When we meet someone new, we typically introduce ourselves by name and title.  Now the titles I'm speaking of are not those of royalty or power (well, that Mom title is pretty powerful), but those titles that we define ourselves by.  For me, I'm usually known as Charissa - Andrew, Jacob, and Caleb's Mom and sometimes as that girl who brings yarn to the ballfield everyday!  But this week a conversation with Caleb reminded me that God loves me just as I am.  And that it is more than ok to be just plain me!

One day, I was talking to Caleb and called him by his full name {Caleb Michael Smith} and he was quick to respond that he is not Caleb Michael Smith or even Caleb Smith.  He is just Caleb, plain Caleb.  So matter of fact.  So sure of who he is.  And so humbling. 

To God, we can be just plain us.  We do not need works or titles or associations.  God loved us before the foundation of the world and created us in His own image for His glory.  God loves us exactly as we are.  Just plain us.  It is so humbling to me to think that the Creator of the universe and the Sustainer of Life loves you and me as we are, just plain us. 

Lately, I have been reading a wonderful book titled Grace for the Good Girl:  Letting Go of the Try Hard Life.  This book is all about being who God made us to be and not trying to work for something that God wants to give us freely ~ His Love!

So next time we start thinking of all that we wish we were or all that we are responsible for, just remember that God loves us ~ plain us.

~Charissa

Wednesday Weigh In ~ Week 8

Sweet Boys ~ Jacob, Caleb, and Andrew

As most of my IRL friends know, I've been working hard to lose some of the weight I've gained over the past 6 years.  So, I've decided to blog about the journey.  Each Wednesday, I will share a pic collage of my before, last week, and this week pics.  So here goes....  This week I am up a pound, but its sure to come back off next week.

The pound up might be from the wonderful birthday party my family threw for me.  Grandma Dee Dee's cooking is delicious! 

Jacob and Caleb at my 31st B-day party

Also, I will be sharing more information about what I have done to lose weight, one motivator is my family wall calendar.  Each day after I run, I add a "high five" sticker to the calendar.  Here's a quick pic from January.

I would love to hear from you!!  What have you tried to lose weight?  What worked?  What didn't?

~ Charissa

Off to a great start!

Welcome!!  Let me take a moment to introduce myself and my sweet family.  I'm Charissa ~ wife, daughter of the King, Mommy to three of the sweetest boys you will ever know, and crochet prop designer.  I'm looking forward to sharing my love of crochet, my adventurous life, and my journey through weight loss. 

Until next time,

Charissa