Easter Dress

Wearing Stripes

Today I was changing shirts and my 4 year old darling happened to walk in and catch a glimpse of my bare stomach.

He giggled and said "Oh, look mommy!" pointing at my gut. "You're wearing stripes!"

"Yeah. Cool, huh?" Geesh.

Gotta love him, but stripes? Seriously. Ouch.

Of course he was referring to my stretch marks. Yes, I do have quite a few to speak of. Some of them are relatively new while others are practically native. Honestly, I don't really have a huge problem with them. I mean, I'm not losing sleep over the nasty "stripes."

But I am curious if there is some miracle cream or oil I should be aware of. Let me know.

Pretty in Purple

I was excited to have recently run across this old school pic of me on Facebook. This is what I'm going for people! I distinctly remember stepping on the scale the day of my junior prom and seeing the number 127. I had worked so hard to see that number. When I put my dress on I felt like a million bucks.

I suspect I will feel the same way in a few months when I slip it on for the second time--on the day I reach my goal of 129!

What a photo session THAT will be!

Hot Date

I had a hot date tonight ♥♥♥

I was really wanting to "talk" on the way, but Mr. was more into the radio. I did get him to pose for one pic. He made me delete the video I shot. Debbie Downer.

Then I got bored. We have to drive 30 minutes to go anywhere. Since I had a camera, I began practicing my faces. Everyone does that, right?

Yes, I'm a weirdo. Okay, moving on...

We finally arrived at our favorite Steakhouse and had a wonderful dinner. I decided earlier in the day that I would order what I normally do: 7 oz. fillet, loaded baked potato and salad with ranch dressing. They also serve Shiner Bock beer bread with honey butter. I just had it all.

I probably shouldn't be encouraging this type of behavior, but I'm going to be honest. I love food and that will never change. I have gotten my impulses to binge and overeat on a regular basis under control, but I have absolutely no intentions of giving up rich, indulgent foods altogether because I enjoy eating them so. I fully intend to enjoy the best of both worlds, so to speak.

Ahh, there is such sweet freedom in discipline! How's that for a paradoxical nugget of truth?

I guess we were really hungry. Most of the bread was gone before I remembered to take a picture. My husband was embarrassed that I was taking pictures of everything. hehehehe... Get over it, dear.

Yes, this is a baked potato with sour cream, butter, cheese and bacon, a big ice cream scoop of butter on my steak and fried onion rings. I ate everything but the butter on the steak. It was really good, I must say.

I was able to pass on these, but thought them worthy of a photo shout-out. Desserts in the HOOUSE! But not in my belly...

After dinner we headed to the bookstore so I could pick up a read suggested by my one of my blogger buddies. Unfortunately they didn't have it. :( Then we took a little stroll around the mall and I got a treat that I will share later this week.

All in all , a great date with my sweetheart. And I didn't even have to unbutton my jeans on the way home. Holl-aaaaaa!

Who Am I?

I thought it might be appropriate to share some basic information about myself. I always like to catch a little glimpse into the personal world of those whose blogs I read. Maybe you do too? Well, here goes.

I am the daughter of two educators who have been married for nearly 35 years. My dad is a football coach. He has coached at the high school and college level. He is a fantastic coach, a great provider and he's funny too. And he makes really good chili. My mom is currently a 4th grade teacher. She has taught at just about all grade levels, been a principal, and curriculum coordinator. She is an awesome friend, a perfect size four (sometimes even a 2) and makes killer chocolate chip cookies. Seriously--she could be rich and famous if she ever went commercial with those things.

I am the sister of one cool dude. He is three years younger than me. He has a terrific wife and three sweet boys. He has been one of my best friends ever since we knew brothers and sisters could be friends. He is in the banking industry and also currently attends seminary. I am proud of him.

I grew up in the small town in which I still live. I have known my husband for nearly 20 years and have been in love with him for over 10. When I married him I gained two additional, wonderful parents--his, and a beautiful sister-in-law who is a talentented nurse. I love the entire family I married into.

Justin and I will celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary this December. He is pretty much amazing. He is a firefighter, fisherman, golfer, hunter, lover of the University of Texas Longhorns, washer of our dishes and clothes, and eliminator of any problematic wildlife that might come around. As I said, pretty much amazing. He loves me no matter what. And he's got amazing baby blues and dimples that are a mile deep. Cutie.

I am a mommy to 2 children:

Jonah(4) is inquisitive. He has already mastered Love and Logic and uses it on me regularly. He likes to dig for worms, ride bikes, eat mac n' cheese, and watch The Three Stooges. He goes to preschool 3 days a week. He was finally completely potty trained this year at the ripe age of 4, proving that miracles really do happen. He is currently waiting to feed some Sea Monkeys. He is Mama's boy.

Glory(1) is a burst of sunshine. She is always on the go. Her vocabulary is increasing daily. She loves to mimic sounds, look at books, eat--ANYTHING, hold a phone, put on accessories. She takes a daily dose of Miralax to keep her regular. She is a Daddy's girl.

My name is Keelie Suzanne. Even though people always mispronounce my name (key-lee, FYI) I still love it. I think it fits me to a T, just a little bit different but not way "out there." LOL. My name means graceful. Still waiting on that to prove true. I am 30, a lover of home decor, cooking, baking, crafting, shopping, singing, traveling, and playing games with the family. My favorite color is red. I have been told that I wear my heart on my sleeve. I am the director of a non-profit organization called The Mission whose purpose is to meet physical, mental, and spiritual needs of people in our community.

I am a few credits shy of completing a degree in Interior Design. I made a last minute decision to go with art education instead. I was an elementary school teacher for several years before I became a stay-at-home mom in 2009. I am still trying to learn the ropes of my new occupation, but loving every minute of it.

I am a sinner saved by the grace of God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself for me.

Oh yeah, and I'm on a diet. But I guess you already knew that?

Humble Thyself

Just in case you think I am full of myself with all the cheesy photos I post, I have decided to share some of the outtakes {from recent pics} so you will know that I most certainly am NOT. Enjoy!


















Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3

Bangs

Last night I cut my bangs. Short. Asymmetrical. I used a cheap, dull pair of scissors. It made me so happy. I'm not necessarily recommending anyone else do this, but if you have an old, dull pair of scissors, why the heck not?

I'm noticing that as the number on the scale goes down my sassy factor goes up. Sweet.

I've Got Legs-- Because I Use Them!

I was passing by a mirror this morning, still in my nightgown, when I happened to notice my legs. I did a double take! I know they have a bit more mass to them than I would like, but I was so excited!



I went and found the only pair of heels I own, put 'em on and proceeded to check myself out for a while. Whoo hoo! I can show my knees again. This will be very helpful come June when it is 2,000 degrees.



On another note, I was reminded yesterday of my pesky food-addict tendencies still lurking dangerously nearby. I wanted to eat all day long. Like seriously stuff my face with anything I could get my hands on kind of eat. The only slip I had was eating about 2 servings of Doritos while feeding my kids lunch. (My husband bought those, not me.)

Instead of polishing off the whole bag, once I stopped long enough to realize what was happening, I decided to go for a 3 mile walk/jog to my parents' house for dinner instead of riding in the car. It worked out nicely and I did the 3 miles in about 45 minutes.

Old habits die hard I suppose, but new ones provide the balance needed for success. Now, let's take one more look at those legs...



Back later for weigh in results! Have a great afternoon.