Welcome Carter Jane

This week our family welcomed a new member. Little Miss Carter Jane decided to make her on birthdate much like Hudson. My sister in law Kristi had been to the Doctor on Monday and was told she didn't look favorable for her Thursday induction so it was put on hold. I think that's what Carter needed to hear to get motivated. Around midnight Tuesday night the contractions started and by 4 am they were at the hospital.
I got the news around 8am so Macy and I got ready hoping we wouldn't miss the birth. We did make it and we anxiously hung out in the waiting room with the family. Finally we got the text that she was here and Mom and baby were doing well. She is a little peanut weight 5lbs 15 oz and so cute. Of course you can see that from these pictures.

Happy birthday baby Carter!

Brian and Robin Plus 6: Real Life With A Large Family

Hi, this is Brian. I spoke at a local Ignite event called Ignite Birmingham a few weeks ago. I speak at these fairly often, but usually it is about something geeky. This time I talked about our family of 8. It was different for me, but everyone tells me I did a good job. Here is the video.

Family Pictures

You would think this post would include pictures, wouldn't you? The pictures are in the hands of the photographer so she can work her magic on them. I was far too stressed out and frazzled to remember to take my own snapshots. Haha!

I love to have pictures of my kids. I love seeing them as a group at their various stages. I just don't love the prep and act of actually getting them ready. Oh yes, the picture taking of everyone is as fun as herding sheep at times.

Back on Mother's Day I asked my kids for a gift of family pictures. They groaned but agreed to do this for me. That day came this Saturday morning. I had been undecided what we would wear till Thursday and it all came together pretty easily. I went with a coral floral sundress. Brian already had a nice coral button down that would go. The boys shirts all coordinated well as did the girls outfits. Ta-da the decision of what to wear was solved quickly and painlessly.

I left the location of the pictures up to the photographer. Her first spot was an overgrown area where there was tall grass and some flying bugs which we tried to ignore. We did some there and some on a gravel road. The next location was in a industrial park area. She did both groups pictures, individuals of the kids and a few of Brian and I together. 

Family pictures are now scratched off the to do list for another year. This year I have been reminded how life is such a gift. I am trying to enjoy the stages that each of my kids are in right now. I can't wait to see how they turn out. I am sure they will be great. I hope they show personality in the kids because that means everything.

Overall the whole photo shoot was pretty painless. There were no tears, minimal complaining and the bribing of a good meal to hungry children worked. Our photographer is just so sweet with the patience of an angel. She was able to keep the 2 year old attentive while also keeping it cool for the teens. I did my best to button my lip and let her do her thing.  I pinky promise you all that I will share the results as soon as I get them. Can't wait!

Finishing what I started

Who is that girl? Working out on vacation, your kidding?

I watched the Final four episode of The Biggest Loser last night. It was so inspiring to me and I could relate on many levels. For months I have been is a state of confusion over is where I am right now my goal. I have grown increasingly unhappy with calling this place "it" for me and as I watched the show last night it became clear to me I am not there yet.

2nd Place finish for 30-34 yr old females

I have become comfortable in my life now. My eating and my exercise are routine and familiar.  It's going to take some extra dedication to get things moving again. There's going to have to be some close attention to calories,sodium,water intake and protein protein protein!

Protein powder is not as bad as I feared.And I am used to it now.

I know I will hear comments for others. I know I will have to defend myself . Yes, I have come a long way but I must cross the finish line. This is the time in my life where I must finish what I started so I can move forward with my other goals I have set for myself.

1st 5k in the freezing cold and snow flurries

Just like when I started this I given myself a date to get serious. A line drawn in the sand so to speak.I have several changes in the works for my workouts. I am dropping the Boot camp which have have done for 1 1/2 years. I am giving up my 24 hour gym membership but have joined the large YMCA with my family.  I have the triathlon on schedule for August but will still do 5k races every month .  I am ready for this challenge. I am not sure what I will do for my goal reward but I will have plenty of time to dream it up as I am running,biking and swimming in the coming months. It's amazing what all you can think about while your swimming 16 laps straight. There's not much sound and not much to look at it's just you and your thoughts.

12 miles on the bike in under an hour

Some people will call this obsessed but I am calling it driven. This journey has been a 2 1/2 year trial and error. It has been done slowly and with health being the #1 goal. Nothing has changed there. There is no end to this fight for me but the lifestyle changes that I have made make it doable for the rest of my days.

From the beginning July 2008

To now taken April 2011

I don't have the Biggest Loser $250,000 prize that depends on me getting to my goal but the gift of health I am giving myself and my family is priceless. I couldn't have done this journey without the love and support of these guys. They have been my encouragement and strength when I wanted to give up.

Collin's Angel

Collin became fast friends with a little boy Grant in his preschool class last year. Collin talked about him all the time. We went to his awesome birthday party at the fire station last year. When we would see them out and about in town Collin would always be so excited he saw his buddy.

Around Christmas time we decided to part ways with preschool. Collin wasn't happy and I was tired of the fight. While Collin didn't miss school he did miss his friend. He would talk here and there about wanting to go back to see him.

Last Memorial Day his friend Grant passed away in a swimming accident. It was tragic,shocking and unimaginable. I got word of this and toyed with the idea on if telling my then 4 year old would be the right thing to do. I decided to not tell him as we didn't really have contact anymore.

But oddly enough in the last year Collin has not forgotten Grant one bit. He talks about him still. One day he asked me for a stamp and he was holding a few pieces of paper. I asked him what it was and he told me he was mailing Grant a letter and picture he drew of the 2 of them. Every time we pass the fire station he talks about that party and wonders how he is doing. Lately he talks and plays with an invisible friend and you guessed it he is named Grant. 

For Christmas last year the kids made these pictures at preschool . I have it hanging in my bathroom and when I pass by it I always think of Grant and his angel picture. I think about his parents and how heartbroken they must be and say a quick prayer for his family. I know one day the time will come to talk to Collin about his friend but I am pretty sure Collin has a special angel with him everyday and it's his good pal Grant.

As the one year mark draws near I pray the Lord comfort this little boys family and gives them a sense of peace. I know that is something only God can provide.

Another Monday

Today started the new week and the countdown to the last 2 weeks of school. Each Monday which is the hardest day of the week for the kids we talk about how many Monday mornings we have left till school is out for summer. Parker is already in summer mode and dreads each day which makes the morning time alot of fun.Not!

Yesterday I sat down and put some thought into dinners for the week. I am so bored with our typical meals so I am always on the look out for healthy, tasty yet easy to prepare meals . I came up with a few things and bought the ingredients I needed. This week we will have.

*A new Crock pot Chicken and Dumpling recipe
*Pancakes and turkey sausage
*A new Crock pot beef tips and rice recipe
*ground turkey pasta and garlic bread
*baked chicken fingers and mac n cheese or on salad

Tonight we are having the chicken and dumplings from this recipe. dumplings.http://cargilefamilyrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/09/crock-pot-chicken-dumplings.html
I did add an extra can of the soups and extra chicken to feed the gang. So far it smells and looks great!

The YMCA is working out well for the family. We are really enjoying going together. The older teens are beginning to see that exercise can be fun and the middles are just being more active . Parker enjoys playing basketball every time and Molly likes walking and jogging the track. I started swimming laps and found out a 400 meter swim is 16 laps Wowzers, that a bunch. Last night I would say started my official training . I ran 1 mile on the treadmill,biked for 3 miles and swam 32 laps total. Sundays are usually my off day but I am eager to work on my swimming and try out my goggles so off I went. The goggles weren't the best but they didn't leak just fogged up really bad. I am working on a training schedule to build up for my August goal. My workouts for this week went like this.

Monday-boot camp morning / night YMCA 3.1 mile run ,6 mile bike
Tuesday- off... took the boys swimming
Wednesday- boot camp /3 mile run in the neighborhood
Thursday- off... due to Macy's play
Friday-YMCA run 2 miles,bike 6, and weights
Saturday-boot camp
Sunday-YMCA 1 mile run, 3 mile bike, 32 laps swim

I still have 10 pounds that I am working on losing. They are a very stubborn 10 pounds but I am staying focused. In the upcoming months I am changing up my workouts which may just help move things in the right direction. Changing my workout will also lead for me getting more sleep which also could help.

In other food news. I have found a new go to lunch item. It's a very yummy frozen turkey patties (Jenni-o frozen patty) cooked on the George Forman with a sprinkle one of the 4 Mrs.Dash flavors I have. I put this on a wheat bun and call it a McGobble double (get it Mc gobble? turkey burger? haha) . I use a little ketchup and 1 piece of 2% American which melts between the patties. It's awesome and so easy so I am hooked. I always feel full after my McGobble. It has been my lunch for the past 3 days.

The week is shaping up to be a pretty busy one. Brian will be traveling to NYC, Molly has a orthodontist appointment , Macy has a meeting at the school board tonight, Logan has football practice some this week also. I am thankful right now that I am caught up on laundry, now to get motivated to do some deep cleaning!

Macy as Tallulah

Macy is such a great actress and we are so proud of her. She is a natural on stage no doubt. She loves all the performances , never seems nervous and is always excited to perform.

Macy will tell you she is NOT into musicals while she has a nice voice it is not her favorite. Her roles have ranged from The Cowardly Lion in the Magical Land of Oz, Wendy in Peter Pan, Mrs. Cratchit in Candy Cane Jury, Ernastine in Cheaper by the Dozen and Tallulah in Bugsy Malone Jr. . I know her future is looking so bright and we can't wait to see where this takes her.

Hump Day

This little boy can be really cute in the mornings. Today his white hair was going 10 directions and he looked super adorable in his footie pajamas. I will keep him in footie pj's as long as I can because they make him look extra cute!

Collin had fun today in the YMCA Childcare Playroom.  left him for just 1 hour because he was so mad about going but I was happy to see him playing when I went back to get him. Hudson's adores going and says he can't wait to see his friends again. Hudson cried because I came to get him.Talk about 2 different personalities!

Logan was so pleased to get his Wrestling State Champs ring today at the awards day. He also got an award for JROTC. My Dad joked with him that it was an Elvis ring because it is large and blingy!

I made Chicken Enchiladas the other night and they were great. Early that morning I threw some frozen boneless/skinless chicken breast in the crockpot . I dumped in some salsa  and spices then let it cook. By early afternoon I easily shredded the chicken with a fork and left it to go to play practice. When I came home I filled burrito tortillas with the chicken/salsa mixture and rolled them up. Covered it with canned Enchilada sauce and cheese then baked them till bubbly. It was so easy and so good!  It made alot and they were good leftover too.


I did boot camp this morning then a run in the neighborhood tonight. I am whipped and will have a long day tomorrow with Macy's play Bugsy Malone Jr.  There will be 3 shows tomorrow and more Friday. I will post some pictures of the beautiful Tallulah played by Macy Moon. I just love her character and her solo!!!

Weekend Recap

On Friday I woke up nice and early not to go to Bootcamp but to board a bus. A bus that was headed to the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center along Parker for his class field trip. I am not much on museums and such so I probably should have passed this trip on to Brian but overall it was a good trip. It did make for a long day and coming home the bus was really hot and the traffic was bad going through Downtown at rush hour on a Friday.

On Saturday I spent the day out shopping with Macy. We had a salad at Zaxby's then headed to a few of our favorite stores. We got her a couple of shirts and me a dress. We found Brian a bathing suit on sale at Penny's because I despise the two old man suits he bought himself some time ago. Then we decided to was such a pretty day we should go tryout the YMCA pool. A phone call to Brian and he and the boys were headed home to go with us. The pool was nice and felt really good. I took time to swim laps which I haven't done in a full size pool since my swim team days. I didn't have decent goggles but I did my best. I did about 12 laps and I could feel it in my muscles and felt winded. I can't wait to get some nice goggles and get back in there for some laps. This is exactly what I need to be working on for my Sprint triathlon that is in August.

Today was Mother's Day . The kids got me a gift card to the Nike Store and another running hat. I had already asked for us to have family pictures done as a part of my gift and we will do that in a few weeks. The kids pitched in and helped get the house .laundry and yard work done. It will be so nice to start  Monday not far behind on house work.
We visited with my Mom and Dad and the kids went for a swim. The water is still far too cold for sensible people to swim in but you know kids they don't care. 
After dinner of grilled pork chops and homemade scallop potatoes we went over and visited with Brian's Mom and Dad.

Brian and I had a discussion on gift buying. He thinks I am impossible to buy for and says he has the hardest time. I am thinking on this and trying to come up with a good solution for us both. He is not into gifts ever and really doesn't care about getting gifts for himself so it's an odd situation.  I don't want to buy my own gifts, and I want our sons to learn how to be toward their own future wives when it comes to special occasions. Maybe we can come up with a good solution for both of us , we have tossed around a few ideas.

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day and a great week ahead!

Happy Cinco de Mayo

One day last week I looked out my bathroom window to see this little boy in this BIG ol' hat jumping on the trampoline. It was a sight. He had come in to the kitchen to get himself some water when I was able to get this picture. Collin claimed this hat which we have used for costumes and projects was keeping the sun out of his eyes. I couldn't help but laugh at that one!

I have really been trying to find some variety in healthy food lately. After 2 1/2 years on my journey to health I am growing bored with things I would eat all the time, day in and day out. Here are a few pictures of some new likes. First is a ground turkey lettuce wrap, it has a Asian taste to it and is good in either lettuce leaves or cabbage. Second is something I made for breakfast a toasted wheat sandwich thin and two chopped boiled eggs with light mayo, a little mustard and  pickle relish. So good and so filling. Lastly, pan roasted brussels sprouts. I cooked them in the toaster oven with some olive oil and salt and pepper. These are a new addition to my veggies and lucky for me no one else here eats them so I don't have to share!

The quality of these pictures are not the best but they are some pretty great photos Macy took. Last week I spent alot of time cleaning my closet out which explains the mess on the floor. These are jeans I used to wear. Three years ago they fit comfortably. Now I could get both my legs in 1 pant leg! I don't always see the difference because I am in this body day in and day out. I have looked at myself everyday and it's been a very slow progress through my eyes.  So many ways I feel the same as I always have. But these jeans are my reminder of where I was when this all started.

One thing about changing my lifestyle is that my entire family have had some lifestyle changes too. Because I am the Mom, the cook, the grocery shopper, the food in our house is overall healthier now. My kids have adjusted well without too much complaint. We hardly buy soda now, we reduced the sugar in the tea by a whole cup, we have wheat breads and pastas. There is a gray area in parenting about dealing with children and talking about weight. While you don't want them to obsess over it you also want them to be aware of it. I am proud to say we are all becoming more active. We recently decided to join the YMCA so the whole family can get moving together.

I was proud to have Macy and friend Kayla (aka Noodle) join me for my 5k last Saturday. I look forward to more runs with my children. The run was in honor of Carroll Crane the Mother of our friend Stephen who is in the blue shirt. It was great to run for a great cause!

My blogging as been on the back burner lately. Not because I don't have pictures to share or something funny or eventful wasn't happening around here but because I had grown bored with it. I have taken time off to think about where I want my little piece of cyber space to go. This is my story, my account of my day to day life and sometimes I shy away from posting things that may only be interesting to me or a handful of people.  Weight loss, food and exercise don't interest everyone but it's important to me and I really enjoy and learn from reading other blogs about this sort of thing.  Sometimes there are things going on my my kids I can't share online and it's frustrating to act like life is a bed of roses. The kids have a right to some privacy too so I must respect that. With that said my blog is going to be changing. It's going to be real life and my thoughts not just the milestones and occasions.  I am going into a new season of my life and I want the blog to come along with me. Be on the look out for a new look and new style and as I said my blog my way!  There is no suggestion box for complaints  but I am considering opening comments on each post.