The Big Change

I've said in the past that I usually don't make New Year's Resolutions.  However, I decided last week to make a big change in my life, and since the new year was approaching, I made January 1,2010 my start date.  What's the big change, you say?  I am going to...........quit drinking Diet Cokes.  Ouch.  It hurt just to say that.  See, I have been drinking diet cokes for well over 15 years.  And that's about all that I drink.  Some people drink different things when they eat dinner, or go out to eat, etc.  I drink diet coke 24/7.  I am HIGHLY addicted.

There are two main reasons that I have made this decision.  The biggest reason is actually economical.  When Jay and I sat down last week to set our 2010 budget and financial goals, we realized that we probably spend over $20 a week on sodas!  That's bad!  The other reason is the health benefits of quitting.  I am not as concerned about the caffeine as I am about everything else that makes up a diet coke.  I have been feeling more dehydrated lately as well.  I have cut back in the past, and once I do, my body craves more water and I end up not liking the taste of diet coke as much.  The problem is that if I have one, I continue to crave them, and can not kick the habit.  So I will have to give them up all together, I am afraid.

I am not sure that I can accomplish this, but I am going to do everything in my power!  And I will let you know how it goes!  My plan is to give myself until the 15th to wean my body of them, then I should be DONE.  We will see!

Have you kicked a bad habit before?  How did you do it?

"Money Matters" Re-vamped

Remember the other blog that I started a long time ago?  Money Matters?  Well, I have given it a makeover, and it is now less of a Finance course, and more of a money-saving extravaganza!  Check it out, and let me know what you think.  I hope it helps.

Just a Snapshot

Yes it's been a long time.  There has been so much going on the past few months, that trying to record it all has been overwhelming to me.  I will try to do better.   I tried hard to get some pictures late-November and early December so that I could do Christmas cards, but my attempts failed.  We have not had a real family picture taken since we have grown by one.  That is on my list!  This picture was taken by my fabulous sister-in-law on Christmas Eve.  It was the only one where Hunter wasn't acting silly or Houston wasn't fidgeting too much.  It makes my heart all warm and fuzzy.....

Oh how my family blesses me!

Girl's Trip to see T-Swift!

I took Hayley to the Taylor Swift concert in Little Rock, AR last night as an early birthday present. This was Hayley's first concert to go to - and might I say - it rocked! I was very impressed by the entire show. Kellie Pickler (from American Idol) opened the show and did a great job. Taylor was unbelievable. She definitely brought more "edge" than I have seen from her on the TV. The theme was "Fearless," and seemed to revolve around her being an outcast in junior high, and around "bad boys" in her life. She had a ton of special effects, including a waterfall with "words," in which she sang while getting soaked on her last song. She came down from the audience in one song, and rose up on a platform very close to where we were sitting for a couple of songs. I have had a mild headache ever since the concert, probably due to the loud music. Wow, I'm getting really old! I even had to plug my ears while the audience screamed for a couple of minutes straight. We spent the night in a hotel and ate ice cream while watching TV in bed. I told Hayley we should become "groupies" and follow her around the country. My little girl is growing so fast.

Houston is ONE!

Houston turned 1 year old last Tuesday and we had a family party on Saturday for him. The time has gone by so fast, and having 2 older children, I know that it will continue to do so. I wish I could freeze time - I am enjoying him so much at this age!


Weight: 24 lbs

Teeth: 2 on top (with 2 others emerging), and 2 on bottom.....total 6

Eating/Drinking: He eats a little bit of everything we eat for the most part, in small pieces. He is still on the bottle 3 times a day (6-8 oz). He LOVES his bottle. I need to wean him from it, but it's so hard!

Walking: All over the place! Doesn't crawl much at all anymore. He has the walking thing down.

Clothes: Starting to wear 18 months (still some 12 months)

Shoes: No shoes yet. He does not like shoes. Will work on that this fall.

Talking: Babbles a lot! He will repeat "Uh Oh" and "Thank You" - very cute!He loves books! I catch him in his bed "reading" during naptime frequently! He also loves Hunter's action figures and cars. I try to keep them away, because I worry about small pieces, but when Hunter is at school I catch Houston with one of his Power Rangers, "flying" it and making noises just like Hunter does. Houston is a very good-natured and happy little boy. I couldn't ask for better!

Not sure yet

Getting the hang of it

"I kind of like this"

"Boy, that was fun!"

Wordless Wednesday

Tantrum over a Bottle

You know it's your third child when this only makes you laugh.....

A Fresh New Way to Earn Some "Bucks"

I have recently discovered a new site via the blogging world, called Swagbucks.com. Swagbucks.com is a FREE search engine, that when used, can earn you "Swagbucks," which in turn can be exchanged for merchandise. You can also earn Swagbucks by shopping in the site's store, or by referring your friends. One of the most popular redemptions are Amazon.com gift cards, which you can use to buy almost anything! I have been on the site for about 4 days, and have already earned 14 Swagbucks! Better yet, download the new Swagbucks Toolbar, and you will receive at least ONE Swagbuck every day in September. Some experienced bloggers that I follow make quite a bit of income with Swagbucks every month! It is definitely worth checking out. I haven't had to make any commitments or deal with junk mail. I just search the web like I always have, but now I earn "Bucks" for doing it! To register (it's quick and easy), simply click on the banner below.....you will get started with 3 Swagbucks in your account!