Simply Sara

Did you know that Chick-fil-a is giving away free food this week? Well the three locations here in Anderson are. I know this because I stopped in this morning (after weighing in at Weight Watchers - down 3.4 pounds!!) to get my free chicken biscuit. Typically most everything on the Chick-fil-a menu is off limits for me, but I thought I would cheat just a bit at the beginning of the week. Besides, I needed some nourishment to get me through grocery shopping at Wal-mart. Well now I'm not so sure it's worth it even if it was free. Do you know that little, innocent biscuit cost me 10 points?! I only get 23 in an entire day! Which is why my lunch today consists of english peas and zucchini.

Homemade Salsa WW Points: 0 1 (14.5oz.) can petite diced tomatoes 1 (4 0z.) can diced green chilies 1 medium vidalia onion, chopped 1 minced garlic clove 1 bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped 1 lime juiced dash of salt Mix together and refrigerate. Tastes delicious right away, but after a couple hours in the fridge, the flavors will really come together! Makes approximately 3 cups! *my variations* I added 3 garlic cloves and a lot of cilantro! I also used an immersion blender to smooth out the texture. I like my salsa smooth, not chunky. I plan on putting this salsa on a hamburger patty for lunch today and maybe even use it in place of butter on a baked potato! I love this salsa so much, I keep eating it all by itself! Who needs chips when it tastes so good!?

This week i sent out invitations to Ava's first birthday party. We're having a cupcake party. Simple, adorable, and delicious. I've taken care of all the details - invitations, food, supplies, table cloths, balloons; but I did forget one very important thing - presents! We haven't bought the first present and the bad thing is, my mind is drawing a blank when it comes to what to buy! We have so many toys, but I guess it's time for Ava to have some "girl" toys, instead of always playing with trains, tractors, airplanes. The sweet little girl even knows how to make the "vroom" sound when she "flies" a toy plane. It's time to bring some pink and purple into the playroom! But before I can get to the toy store, I have to tackle the mountain of laundry that has piled up this week while I've been nursing a sore throat. I've done my best to keep up with my house duties while sipping as much hot tea as possible, but the dirty clothes ...

We recently got Lucas's bike fixed, and since then we can't get him off of it! Matt and Ava joined in the fun the other night! (Poor girl, we have to buy her a pink helmet!) Matt said Ava giggled the entire time and kept patting his leg! The first time we went out, I couldn't help but feel a little sentimental watching my big boy ride his bike. It was definitely one of those moments I'll always savor. Matt and I are loving that we have found a new family activity. Makes me smile.

So far today, I have broken the silverware drawer, gotten the memory card stuck in the laptop, burnt some peas, burnt my hand and let my thyroid prescription expire. I'm kind of curious to see what else is going to happen! Never a dull moment....

Lucas apparently is in a growth spurt this summer. We've already bought him new shoes and it looks like he'll be going up a size in the not too distant future. All day long I hear "Mommy, I'm hungry!" So far this morning, Lucas has eaten two bowls of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, a banana, cup of yogurt and a mozza cheese stick. I've been forewarned that Lucas will eat us out of house and home during his teenage years, but it looks like he's getting a jump start on that now!

As a regular exerciser at our local YMCA, I've picked up on the many unspoken rules that orchestrate the social decorum at the gym. For example, always remember to wipe down the machine after you have finished using it. It's just a nice thing to do; after all, you don't want to sit in someone else's sweat, right? Next, don't hover over the person using the machine that you want to use. Instead, pick something else and pretend to use it until said person is finished. And finally the most important rule of all: if you are a female over the age of 50 and parts of you are no longer stationed where they used to be, please refrain from wearing tight shorts and a sports bra, sans a t-shirt. While we 20-somethings know that one day in the not too distant future our parts will shift as well, we do not like to be reminded of this fact while jumping around in Step-Class.

Due to the overwhelming lack of interesting things to watch on television, I streamed the movie Vanity Fair, starring Reese Witherspoon, tonight through Netflix . My first and foremost question is, was Reese 6-9 months pregnant during the filming of the movie?? I need to do some research to find out because she was looking rather rotund even after her character had delivered her child. (Only a woman with stretch marks covering her body like a road map can call another woman "rotund".) As a modern-mommy, I must say, it kills me to see the detachment between parents and children back in the day. I know it's been that way forever, but to see the nanny bring in their baby to show him taking his first steps, really saddened me. I am so thankful to know the joy of watching my kids grow, learn and change daily. Just this morning, Lucas informed that he is now ready to grow quickly so he can get his beard. It seems growing a beard has become a goal to be obtained in Lucas's ...

I'm sitting at our kitchen table, scarfing down a wheat waffle with peanut butter, watching Lucas play with play-dough and trying to come up with an intersting blog post. As you know, my ideas for interesting posts have been wilting like the summer flowers during this dry month. Or better yet, wilting like my beloved basil plant, the one I so eagerly took care of for 2 weeks, than promptly forgot about for the next two, resulting in a dried up, shriveled-excuse for a plant. My intention is for this blog to not follow suit. It's been a great summer. We spend most of our time at the local YMCA where I'm working on my coordination skills in classes like "cardio fusion" and "step 'n sculpt". I'm thankful the Lord gave me the ability to laugh at myself, because sometimes that's all I can do to get through a class. In all seriousness, we are so thankful for the YMCA. We have found a great community there of new friends and challenging experiences. ...

We had a date night Tuesday - our first in quite a while. We ate at Barley's with good friends. Do you see how good my husband looks? He is kickin it at the gym with two hour workouts every day! I'm so proud of him! I love that we both want to be healthy and fit! He even enjoyed the healthy dish I made last night, Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken ! Yummy! I'm so greatful when we can get away for some time without our kiddos. Speaking of time away, Lucas is going to spend some time with his Grandma next week! I'm actually a little sad about him being gone for so long. I'll miss that little booger.

This is a very rare start to the morning. I woke up at 7:00, my body has a natural alarm clock that never lets me sleep in, to a quiet house. The kids aren't awake yet? Amazing. And even more amazing, they are still asleep and it's 7:46!!! I've been reminded in scripture this morning of just how loved I really am. Let me share with you and I pray that you too will be encouraged and challenged. Psalm 86:5-7, 11-13 "You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love for me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave." In this season of trials, we have been reminded over and over just how great ...