I go on vacation, only to come back and find.....

.....that I have gotten my very first blog award!  YAY!  Thanks to Maggie for the Versatile Blogger Award!!

When I started blogging however long ago it has been, I never really thought I was doing it "quite right".  Mine just don't have the pizzazz that many of the blogs I read have.  I just enjoy this venue of communication for things such as keeping family updated on us as well as the accountability for my weightloss journey.  Anyway, I guess if I were to get any award for blogging, this hits the nail right on the head.  You never really know what might show its way on here...hence the versatility thing, I guess.... :)

So,  along with this award comes rules.  And here they are....
1. Thank the person who gave you the award.

2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Nominate fifteen newly discovered blogs.
4. Let your nominees know about the award.

1.  DONE!  Thanks, again, Maggie!!
2.  Seven Things About Me

•  My name is Lori Anne.  And, yes, just as most any good southern lady would, I go by both first and middle names.
• I have 3 children: Berkeley who is 11, and Bennett and McKinley, who are 3 year old boy/girl twins.  I have been married for 12 years. 
• I love working out, have always been active, but LIFE after kids hit me square in the face (because I was young and stupid) and derailed everything I have ever known about eating right and staying active. Hence the humongous weight loss journey I find myself on at the present time.
• I am counting down the days to meeting my goal weight so that I can get this nasty skin cut off my midsection from where pregnancy was not so nice to this girl.
• I have a degree in Exercise Physiology, and I teach Junior High English....don't ask.
• I thrive on social time, whether with kids or without.  
• I met 5 of my very best friends online through a twin chatboard and we go on vacation of some sort every year. (last year was a girls weekend retreat, this year was an adults retreat to the beach, the future is ours to conquer...)

3.  And here are the 15 blogs I love to read:
http://eliminatethebabyweight.blogspot.com/
http://weightlossforrealthistime.blogspot.com/
http://fatasiangal.blogspot.com/
http://projectlookgoodnaked.blogspot.com/
http://rebuildingamy.blogspot.com/
http://katlynnmarlenesmith.blogspot.com/
http://thematernallens.blogspot.com/
http://tippytoediet.com/
http://didijusteatthatoutloud.blogspot.com/
http://weighdownsouth.com/
http://live2write4u.blogspot.com/
http://tote-a-bugg.blogspot.com/
http://copermom.blogspot.com/
http://espinozagossip.blogspot.com/
http://queenwithprincesses.blogspot.com/
http://pinkertonfamilyblog.blogspot.com/

OK!  So, now I am off to spread the word!  SEE YA!

Happy Tuesday~

I am on the countdown to my wonderful, fabulous vacation.  So far this week (yes, I know it is only Tuesday), I have clean my house from top to bottom (like REALLY cleaned), AND am 100% caught up on my laundry, which NEVER seems to happen with 5 people in this family, including one 11 year old who changes clothes fifteen times a day.  I honestly felt a huge sense of accomplishment with that feat.  With that, I have not officially exercised so far this week, but I am watching what I am eating and drinking lots wata!  I hope the rest of this week goes by as quickly as these two days have.  We are heading out bright and early on Friday.  YAY!!!

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE LONGEST WEEK EVER!!!

My husband and I are going on our FIRST EVER real vacation.....and without kids.  We married at the very young age of 20, still in college, and with a baby.  We moved to Northwest Arkansas from Mississippi, where we both were born and raised, straight out of college in pursuit of the American Dream.  We have been married for 12 years, and have spent those 12 years trying to "get ahead", meaning very few vacations.  We did take our oldest to Disney World when she was 6, but aside from that, we have pretty much done the camping trip thing (which I am not complaining, because I love to camp), or spent our vacations visiting family since we live 8+ hours for any of them.  Anyway, our first ever trip is coming up next week.  We are going to Topsail, NC, and renting a beach house with 5 other couples.  I am stoked.  I could totally be a professional beach bum.  I love the beach, and being 12+ hours from any beach has really taken its toll on me these past few years.  Have I said how excited I am?  I AM SO EXCITED!  I am not going to lie, I am a little anxious with ben so far from my kids (I have never been away from the twins), but I know everything will be fine and the granparents will love spending some good quality time with them.  Ok. So, yes I am excited about my trip. :)

Saturday Weigh-In

last week 186.6
this week: 189.6

I am not going to make excuses.  I am up 3 lbs.  I know I am coming off of a holiday weekend, but I should have been a little more conscientious. 

Goals for this week:
1. enjoy a beer or two at the lake this weekend if the opportunity presents itself.
  (no beer during the week)
2. WATER!
3. keep house clean and laundry kept up as I pack for our trips.
4. be consientious of everything that goes in my mouth.
5. be back down those 3 pounds and hopefully a pound or two more in addition.

On another note....I came across mention of this article in the comments of one of the blogs I follow, and I think it is worth posting

Here I Am....

This has been one crazy week.  Having the 4th on Sunday, then everyone off of work on Monday to observe the day has totally messed up my ebb and flow of the week.  My husband's boss invited us, Monday night, to hang out at the Natural's baseball game, since he has one of the boxes reserved and it would be fun.  Lots of crap food and beer nonetheless.  And we got home very late.  On Tuesday and Wednesday I had some Professional Development workshops to attend.  B-O-R-I-N-G!!!  Not getting in until late Monday night and then having to drive an hour to these workshops has left me exhausted on this dreary, wet Thursday.  I need to be cleaning my house and getting it ready for the realtor to come over tonight and get it listed.  I think I need a nap first.  I will definitely get my workout in and then some today, with what this house looks like.  Gross!  On another note....I am very excited that the twins' preschool teacher is getting Zumba certified, and will begin classes at the beginning of August!  I can not wait!  I have been looking for a place that I didn't have to JOIN to get some Zumba classes.  YAY!!!!  As soon as I get back from vacation, it is ON!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Saturday Weigh-In

Weight: 186.6
Down: .6lb.

I am OK with this.  It is a loss.  This is a holiday weekend.  This gives me hope that I will be fine for the festivities ahead.

Happy 4th of July, my friends!

The Upcoming Weekend

UGH!  I am DREADING this weekend.  Food, food, and more food....and beer.  I can't avoid it.  I can't skip it.  I am trying so hard to conjur up some plan to not overdo things and totally blow out the water the few pounds I have lost in the past few weeks.  I have 20 days until vacation.  I want to LOSE 10 pounds before I leave....not GAIN the ones back that I have already lost.

So far, this is my plan:

Friday afternoon: Mommas and Margaritas by the pool: (all I can say is someone needs to come up with DIET Margaritas)

Friday evening: Fireworks on the lake: picnic supper = sandwiches and veggies and a beer or 2

Saturday: the Hubby's work 4th celebration = LOTS OF FOOD...focus on avoiding carbs, and stick with the meat and fruit and veggie tray, and a couple of beers. get lots of water

Sunday: if it doesn't rain, we will probably hit the lake in the afternoon.  With two 3 year olds, this usually turns into some good exercise...

Monday: get back on track!!