Thankful for...Family for Thanksgiving

We were so happy that family came our way for Thanksgiving...my parents, Mitch and Kelly and Katie and Spencer and their family all celebrated Thanksgiving in Michigan. It was a wild and wonderful week!!!

The girls (and Mitch and Grandpa) cooked all night on Wednesday and it was well worth it for such a delicious meal. The boys walked in the door just in time (exactly as we planned it).

We celebrated FAMILY...



New FRIENDS...

A beautiful hostess and TABLE and incredible FOOD...
CRAFTS to keep the kids busy...
Chocolate TURKEYS that looked good enough to eat...

A new niece, ELLIE who is already VERY loved...



A little time to REST...
The beginning of CHRISTMAS with a nativity set to paint...
And lots of LOVE to go around!!!

We Broke Up

I've had an almost 20 year love/hate relationship with my frenemy, "the scale."

It all started in 8th grade when we were "weighed in" for the first time. I got my blue slip of paper that said, "113 pounds." I still remember. We weren't supposed to talk about our number...yeah right. So, I lied. All my friends weighed less than I did even though I was plenty thin and fit. I started weighing myself on our scale at home every now and then, just to check in.

During dance practices in my "awkward" years, I was told to "suck in," and I watched others be praised for their still very girlish bodies. Mine was changing and I couldn't do anything about it and I didn't like it one bit. I hated everything that got bigger...I noticed rolls where I barely had any and invented cellulite when I looked at myself from behind. I started "watching" what I ate but knew too little about nutrition to realize that "low fat" often meant "high calorie" and along with natural body changes at my age I ended up gaining weight and hating the way I looked.

Then came high school. I danced and wore leotards and tights in front of an entire school. You can't help but compare. The summer before my junior year I ended up loosing about 7 pounds...on accident. Just a lot of running and practicing and my body settling in to itself. I was weighing myself every day, sometimes twice a day. I was getting a lot of attention and positive praise for my new, fit shape and it felt good. If 7 pounds was good, then more would be better, I was sure. I found a book about calories and memorized every entry of every food I ate. I exaggerated my own caloric intake and stopped eating everything I liked: pizza, bagels, cheese, chocolate, dessert, salad dressing and talked myself into the fact that I didn't like any of those things....I was oh so in control and getting oh so skinny. The scale was my very best friend. My happiest time of the day was when I stepped on the scale and saw the numbers go down. Really, truly, nothing tasted as good as skinny felt. I often wondered why everyone didn't live like I did--I felt fabulous.

The college years didn't get much better, in fact without homecooked meals and healthy food, they got worse....I lived on a ridiculous amount of bubble gum, tic tacs and Diet Coke. I ran at least 5 miles a day and took exercise classes. Looking back, I can't believe I could function at all let alone pull the grades I pulled.

I brought my scale to college. I remember weighing 6 times a day. I remember weighing with all my boots and coats on, then taking each article of clothing off until I was left with nothing on and the smallest number the scale could find for my body. I'd step on it 3 or 4 times just to make sure that was as low as it would go.

I remember mornings after I'd allowed myself to eat with my roommates and the scale showing a bigger number than the day before. It was a bad day. I would try and fast the entire day or eat only cabbage and mixed vegetables or just the skin of an apple. I'd vow to never eat treats again. I always felt hungry.

There were some really bad times...and so much detail that would bore you to death. There was a time when my body shut down and said, "Enough." It was the summer after my freshman year. My hair started falling out in clumps in the shower, my period stopped, I felt like I had to lie to everyone. It wasn't good and it scared me. After that, I tried to at least be a little smarter about it. I started eating a little more and started eating low calorie foods that were high in nutrients. I put on 2.5 pounds and it killed me. But, my period came back and my hair stopping coming out in clumps.

Looking back, I feel extremely blessed to have been able to always consume just enough to not permanently ruin myself. I feel so blessed that I was able to still get good grades and feel friendly, happy and confident most of the time. I'm so grateful for loving and supportive friends and family. I'm so grateful that I was never able to make myself throw up...because I would have tried that too, I am sure.

After marriage, at the urging of Mike, I let go a bit, and I didn't know how to control anything. If I started eating, I couldn't stop. My body was in a feast or famine mode and didn't know when it would be fed again. Still weighing multiple times a day, most of the time it ruined my day. I'd go the whole day without eating anything, then binge from the time I got home from work. Mike's love sustained me and made me feel thin and beautiful and amazing even when I wasn't. Boy am I grateful for him.

Luckily, having babies reset my metabolism and view on health. But still, nothing more exhilarating for a scale addict than watching the numbers go down after having a baby. Such a rush. After having Jace, I got a lot healthier. I started eating healthier, doing moderate exercise, and eating more often. My metabolism kicked in again and I feel so lucky that it does its part. I also feel very lucky that I didn't permanently ruin myself. I'm still pretty careful about what I eat and boy how I've always loved my scale.

Even as a mother, I'd set my scale 4 pounds heavy...just so I would never be surprised by the number on any other scale. There was no worse feeling than thinking I was one weight then stepping on a different scale and seeing I was wrong, in a bad way. If mine was 4 pounds heavy, I'd always be pleasantly surprised by another. I've weighed myself at least twice a day, every day for the last 7 years.

My weight in the morning decided lots of things: if I should feel happy, if I should smile, if I should think about others, if I should eat breakfast or lunch or just wait until dinner, if I could have dessert, if I should wear a fitted shirt, if I should cuddle up with my husband. I still did these things, but it took work. I could be feeling great, feeling like I looked great, then step on the scale and it could change everything.

I brought my scale on vacation in my suitcase...after all, how could I enjoy a trip without knowing my weight?

Then we moved. I left my scale in Arizona and my cheap self didn't want to spend our money on a new one. So, for the first time in 18 years, I'm scale-less!!!!! I love it. I check in with the scale once a week at the gym (I feel like it's healthy to know where you are at) and that's it. I've been amazed that I'm still the same as I was before. I didn't think I'd ever be able to self-regulate without seeing the numbers on the scale, but I found out, I can.

In the beginning I didn't know if I should feel like I was having a "fat" day or a "skinny" day. I realized I'd never really looked at myself, I just trusted the scale to decide for me. It decided everything for me...it's been a whole new adventure to decide if my body needs another helping or if it's okay to have some chocolate or if it's time to turn up the exercise, but it's been really, really good.

Kind of a long post that is probably boring to most, but in a really weird way, I'm really proud of myself. I feel great, healthy, fit and actually normal and it feels good....My scale and I now have a much healthier relationship...laid-back, casual, and no longer toxic.

Addresses please!

Hey all. It's Christmas card time and I LOVE Christmas cards. I get giddy just thinking about going to the mailbox in December! We're trying to get ours out early this year, so if you can send me your address, that would be GREAT...especially if there was a recent move (last 2 years, since I was lazy last year and had about 30 returned cards) or if you are in AZ and I might not have an address (like all of you).

You can leave your address here or I have a relatively new email address to send them to...brookeoromney (at) gmail (dot) com

Only 38 Day until Christmas!!!

Oh, and if you are a private blogger...please invite me at my new email!!

What can you do with a pair of kid craft scissors?

You can cut off your darling faux-hawk, all the way to the scalp in a perfect circle near the center of your head, right before your primary program and right before all your extended family comes to visit. Then...

You can scream bloody murder when your mom tells you that you are in big trouble and she will have to shave all your hair off and you will be bald. Then...You can compose yourself for your traumatic haircut because you know your mom is so mad acting out will only make things worse. Then...
You can take a shower to wash all the hair off your body and give mom a moment to breathe. She can wrap you up and snuggle your bald head and you can tell her you are so tired and fall right asleep in her arms for the first time in at least a year and she can feel a little sorry for being so angry about hair and feel a lot grateful for your love and spunk. Then...
You can wake up with a smile, looking like the cartoon version of Avatar and rub your head every chance you get. Then...
Mom can be glad you are a boy and cute with or without hair...Cheers to being 4!

Meet Grateful Pig--Our favortite new tradition

My mom sent us "Grateful Pig" this year in the mail and he has been such a fun part of our November. At least once a day each of us write something we are grateful for on a slip of paper and slide it in to Grateful Pig. On Thanksgiving when everyone is here, each family will open their pig and read about the many blessings we all have. My boys love the secret element to it and I love that they are constantly thinking about what they have...and so am I.

My mom got the cute sparkly pigs at Old Navy for $5 and I thought it would be a great way to do December too...instead of thinking about all the things you want, thinking about what you already have. Great tradition! Thanks mom, we love it!!

Here is the letter she attached on cute paper with a colorful bow on grateful pig:

Think of THANKFUL PIG like you would his famous cousin, Piggy Bank...something to place your deposits in until it's time to make a big withdrawal. THANKFUL PIG accepts little written expressions of gratitude instead of pennies and nickels. Put THANKFUL PIG in a place where he can be easily seen. Once a day, ask every family member to write on a slip of paper something he or she is thankful for. Place each slip into THANKFUL PIG. Over time, the slips will tell your family's unique story, all the while reminding each family member how important--and fun--it is to be thankful.

By Thanksgiving Day your pig will be well stuffed--maybe even overstuffed. THANKFUL PIG'S big reveal on Thanksgiving Day will help turn the holiday into what i was meant to be: the joyful climax to a year of gratitude!

Four.

I love 4. It's such a great age. And this boy...man, is he fun. We spend so much time together. He is my little sidekick and there is no one better friend to have tag along. He's so pleasant and inquisitive...our conversations are full of funny moments, crazy questions and lots of giggles.

He LOVED celebrating his birthday, and boy did we celebrate.


Big party with all our neighborhood friends...games, scavenger hunt, treats...
Look at all these cute kiddos.
Breakfast with dad. We love this tradition. I'm pretty sure James happily ate his way through his birthday.
Doughnuts for preschool...his choice.

Brownies, candles and ice cream...again, his choice.


And presents! Oh how he loved getting everything for himself. He got some really good stuff. His favorite? Real tools, like dad's. All the other boys were a little jealous.
And for dinner? Cheese pizza with our own rootbeer. Such a treat. He was exhausted and so full by the end of the day :)

Each day I am so grateful to have this little boy in my life. I'm especially grateful for all the time we've had to spend together. He loves snuggling with me and reading book for as long as I will read. He loves me to carry him when I can. I just enjoy him so much and have to admit...it's a little hard watching him get so big. Every day I ask if I can shrink him. He always says, "There is no such thing as a shrinking machine." Wish there was. We have lots of songs, rhymes and sayings we do together all the time. Whenever I say, "So how much do you love me?" He says, "More than you can guess."
So, Mr. James...I L-O-V-E Love you all the T-I-M-E Time. I K-I-S-S Kiss you and I'm glad that you are MINE!

I can solve all your problems with this one post.

What's for dinner?

Butternut Squash Soup. The best recipe I've ever had. I took a really simple one and tweaked it a few years ago and it's one of my favorite things about the fall season. Plus, it's so good for you!

3 Tbsp. butter
2 1/2 C. chopped onion
3 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 T. brown sugar
6 C. chicken broth (I used Swanson)
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. pepper
5 1/2-6 C. cooked, mashed butternut squash
2-3 C. milk

Slice the butternut squash (about 3 med. size) in half, remove seeds, wrap it in foil and cook at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until soft. Scoop it out, mash a bit and place in a bowl (you can do this the day before). You can also buy cubed squash at the store...I'd say about 3 lbs. of cubed squash.

Put butter, onion, sugar and seasonings in a saucepan and cook over med-hi heat until onion is soft. Stir in broth and squash. Bring to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and puree in blender or food processor (or I use my hand blender and it works great). Return to saucepan and stir in milk (add 2-3 cups depending on thickness desired) and reheat. (When you reheat the next day, add a little more milk to thin it out a bit).

Sometimes, depending on the squash, my soup needs a bit more salt or pepper. Taste it and feel free to stir in more salt, pepper or spice.

What's for dessert?

world's easiest Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 small can of pumpkin
1 spice cake mix
3/4 bag of milk chocolate chips

I'm serious. Mix the cake mix and pumpkin together, add chocolate chips. Place by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and bake at 325 for 12 minutes. We love them and they can't be too bad for you, right? (Unless you eat 10 at a time like I do). Also, if you can only find the big cans of pumpkin, just use 2 cake mixes and more chocolate.

What should I read?

Still Alice: Lisa Genova
This book was amazing. I read it in about 3 days because I couldn't stop. It's about a woman who gets Alzheimer's in her mid 50s. It was just...everything. The writing fantastic, the characters perfect and the experience so real. It was frightening, loving, emotional, hopeful and hopeless all at the same time. I loved the length too...just right. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Outliers: Malcolm Gladwell
This book was absolutely fascinating. It's a non-fiction book but I couldn't wait to pick it up and I never wanted to put it down, which is rare for me and non-fiction. It explores why some of the most successful people in the world are so successful. It creates a compelling argument for a success formula (which also involves a heavy degree of luck...so sorry if you were going to follow it step by step). It delves into elite hockey players in Canada, Chinese math students, the Beatles, Bill Gates, and oh so many other fascinating characters. It turns out each of the success stories has the exact same properties. It talks a lot about education of children and what works best. It also talks about why people just need to be "smart enough," not necessarily geniuses. It lays out reasons for having your child be "older" for his age and how your upbringing and culture are big predictors of how successful you will be. This is an outstanding read and I gleaned so much inspiration from it.

Pope Joan: Donna Woolfolk Cross
Absolutely, positively fantastic. I loved this book for so many reasons. First, the writing was just the way I like it...descriptive enough to get a point across but not too flowery. It was historical fiction written by a woman who usually writes only non-fiction, so she did her homework. It is about a woman in the 800s (yes, the 800s). I love how it explores the crusades and the Catholic church during the dark ages. I loved watching the heroine fight for light, truth, and knowledege. I love the way they bring in ancient great thinkers and try to reconcile logic and faith. I was amazed by what life was like then. The author also did a wonderful job of really giving us an actual setting...what they ate, how they cared for the ill, how they socialized. It was just so good. At the end the author gives evidence for what she has written and it felt so satisfying. The best part though? I couldn't put it down. I was hooked during the first chapter. Oh, and it's clean which is always a bonus.

Okay, so maybe not all your problems...What are you reading, cooking and baking this fall?

Halloween

Whew!!! It seems Halloween is the busiest time of year! We have been so busy with a million other things...not to mention 4 Halloween parties. Glad it's done. It was fun, the kids were cute, I ate way too much candy. Now, just James' birthday to celebrate!

My baseball player, pirate, and spidey.

the decor for our church Halloween party. It was a great one! I'm so glad they did it on Saturday since Michigan celebrates the holiday Sunday. Kind of nice to be done in one big shebang.

The mummy wrap. Mike was the mummy and his team won. He would have made a great Egyptian!

Besides the wedding....

Although the wedding was the big event, we still had time to enjoy a few other things on our quick trip to San Diego.

Pumpkin Patch: This one in Del Mar was just perfect for the kids...fun rides a little to look at and not too pricey. They all had a blast.

It doesn't matter how old you are...bugging your younger cousins never gets old.

Aunt Kelly, Austin (who is an incredible musician. We passed many hours listening to him sing and play), and Grandma Bear. It was so good to be with her, but we sure missed Grandpa too!

Steer roping! Uncle Jed brought his fake steer and his real rope and let the kids give cowboying a shot!

Birthdays! We had a yummy birthday brunch with everyone left in town. James got a few presents and was shy from all the attention.

Games! We loved spending some down time playing kiddie cards and grown-up cards. Thanks Grandma for the new game idea.
Dinner at Peohe's on Coronado Island. The food never disappoints...and neither do the views. Just wish Mike could have flown in early enough to be with us!!

Temple! It was a beautiful temple weekend. It was so nice to be able to be there with Lora as she went through the temple for the first time. Their sealing was also especially sacred and instructive. I enjoyed every minute of being in that holy place.

We had a great time doing other things too!