I AM SOOOOO HUNGRY!!!!

Well ladies and who ever else may read this, I need some help. This is easy help though. As you all know it is just me and my kiddies here these days. I do work a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours in the evening. I am home by 9am and home again by 4:40pm. I am looking for some super super easy recipes I can make that my kids will eat!!! I love the simple dinners on Jill's blog. I need more though. I can only handle the same things over and over so many times. Here is the thing, I am not creative so I really need some good recipes. Can you guys help me? Let me know. Post them here or email them to me at freddiemarie@gmail.com. Thank you so much!! There will be more cute pictures coming soon.

Grab the DICE, I'm on a ROLL!!

I saw Chelsea saying she would check back, and there was no way I could disappoint!! I posted the above picture because......I like it for some odd reason. I don't think I look to horrible, and Katie in her diaper and hair bow pointing at the camera with her long skinny fingers cracks me up. Well ladies, here it goes. I am going to lay it all out there. I want my friends back. I feel so alone over here. I just want to be a girl again. It is no secret my life has been nothing short of hellish, and I just want to be me again. I have learned an important lesson lately. Bad things are going to happen, there is no stopping them ( like the bank losing my first paycheck, which the still have not found by the way!!!). But getting through them all is so much easier with your friends!! Lately I don't feel like I have many. Some of it is my fault, I admit I haven't called anyone or anything, but no one has called me either!! Please don't hide from me, I need you all now more than ever!! So that being said.....did anyone know I love driving a bus? I feel all powerful talking on the intercom saying SIT DOWN hahahaha. I feel very helpful, I get paid, and it sure makes the time go by fast. The other day I did this charter where I took the Yorkville High School marching band to Oswego High for some band performance thing. Guess what I did? I went home while they were there, ordered pizza with my two co-workers on the trip with me, and hung out for two hours and got paid for it!!! So awesome!! I sound like some giddy school girl who just got her first job don't I? What a dork :). OK, so other than that here is a brief overview of my goings on lately. I am working as a bus driver and liking it. Katie turned 1 and we had a super fun party for her at the clubhouse over here in Churchhill Club, Braeden started preschool and loves it, Braeden takes swim lessons two days a week at East High, I am still somewhat active, I even dyed my hair a bit, but it looks very natural, hmmm I can't think of what else, but I am sure there is stuff I am missing. Anyway, I miss you guys. I hope you don't all hate me, or judge me, or whatever. I just need my friends back, even if I have been a crappy one myself. Hugs to you all, imaginary ones for Amanda. Talk to you all soon.

For Chelsea

Chelsea I promised you I would sit down and type so I am. I have lots and lots of things to catch up on, but since you and Sarah read my blog, and also talk to me in person, I know you can be just a tad more patient! Thank you for looking for me though lol, it feels good to know people are out there. I am having some problems with my comma placement, can Cam help me with that yet? I want to be smarter than you too!! Hehe.

Artsy Amanda, Happy Birthday~!!

Happy Birthday Amanda!! I am sorry this is the only picture I have on my computer of you and I. I want you to know how wonderful I think you are. This girl rocks!! She is a great photographer, she loves to decorate her friends houses (eventhough it must be so much better to get paid for it!). She is by far the most creative person I know. She is not crafty, she is Artsy!!! She is wonderful at picking out colors, even if you have to just trust her, she is almost always right. Did you know your birthday is just 10 days after Katie's? I was kinda hoping to have her on or near or closer to your birthday hehe. I hope your day has been great, if not we have to do some making up for it. Did I mention that she is the mother of 3 beautiful children? Did I also mention that I am rambling?? Anyway, Amanda happy birthday. You are awesome.

Happy Happy Birthday Katie Dear!!!

I cannot believe it. Where did the time go? My baby princess Kathryn Marie turned 1 today!! I am so blessed to have this little girl in my life, she is wonderful. Do you guys remember when I cried because I wanted a boy? Now I am crying because I don't want this sweet baby girl to get any bigger!! I want to keep her tiny forever. Thank you for this special gift, and Happy Birthday Katie girl. I love you so much!

What is the REAL Story....

I sure hope this statement does not always ring true. It is about time for me to put a real post in here about my real life. I have hit rock bottom girls. What do I do? I have no idea. The weight and toll of my divorce has finally sunk in, and I am so darn scared. How do I pack a house, move, sell a house, find a job, stay with my kids and still come out ahead? I am crying more and more. I try and put on my happy face, and I really need to do some more talking to my Heavenly Father, but I am lost. A few girls have come here to help me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will never be able to thank you enough for helping me. I am so grateful to the friends I have who have been able to help me, and thankful for my friends who have just been there to talk to. I have a long long road ahead of me, and I pray I make it through with a fully-mended heart. Lots of love to you all.

FOUR!!!!

I have been tagged, over and over. I get it!! I will post!

4 jobs I've had.....

1. Walgreens

2. Day Care Center

3. Payroll Specialest

4. Time and Labor Consultant

4 Movies I Can Watch Over and Over.....

1. Newsies (Diana, I really have done this lol)

2. Space Jam (Me and Braeden watch it everyday)

3. JFK

4. Any good mystery....I love them!

4 Places I have lived...

1. Schaumburg, Roselle, Aurora, Oswego, Montgomery, Illinois

2. Rexburg, Idaho

3. Cedar City, Utah

4. I think I can say I am done now with all those ones in number one

4 Favorite T.V. Shows

1. Grey's Anatomy

2. Ugly Betty

3. Lost

4. American Idol

4 Favorite Foods

1. Fruit

2. Pizza

3. My Veggie Pizza

4. More Fruit

4 Websites I Visit Daily

1. Blogs

2. Yahoo.com

3. Weather.com

4. Wamu.com

4 Places I'd Rather Be...

1. Colorado

2. Alaska

3. Switzerland

4. Taking a Nap

4 People I am tagging...

1. Sarah

2. Stephanie

3. Mercy (we will get you to blog, just you wait)

4. Dali!!

There Was an Old Woman who Lived.....

So... I found these shoes. Are they cute? I hope they aren't to ugly I love them!! I am not sure what it is, but I had to have them. Tell me the truth, what do you guys think?

Elvis Has NOT Left the Building

Well Ladies, here I am. And like good concerned friends you are wondering where on earth I have been. Well, I am back. I am blogging again. Let me get you caught up.


Braeden really enjoyed pushing Katie around in this baby stroller. And Katie liked the ride.



This is the garden we planted this year. It now looks like an over grown jungle. Crazy.



This is Braeden and his little friend Ty, pimping it up with the ladies down the street.



I just like this picture. Makes Katie's eyes look sooooo Blue.


Braeden on his new BIG BOY bike!!! YaY Braeden!


Hehe. Guess what.....I broke my toe.



Awwww......what a cute watermelon!


And there you have it. I have a few more pictures to post but this should do it for now. I am alive and I am missing you all terribly. Talk to you all soon I hope!

An Apple a day takes 5 pounds away?

Well girls, honestly I am not really sure who is still doing the fitness challenge. I know I am still plugging away even if I did gain 3 pounds during week 3. I am happy to report for week 4 I have lost 5 fabulous pounds!! That means I lost the 3 from last week, and 2 additional. This also means with 4 weeks to go, I only have 10 more lbs to go. I really need to drink more water, and work out more. Well with Bachelor night, and the Idol/Lost night this week, I have to do a TON of exercising.....I am really pleased with myself. It is amazing how my eating habits have changed. I hope the weight keeps coming off. Thanks for your support girls, and I cannot wait to see how much I lose.

He's My American Idol

Well everyone it is time to VOTE!!! Blake is the best. He has what it takes to be successful and he is so darn cute!! Who wouldn't want him to win? And can we talk about sex appeal? He has it!! So everyone has to vote for Blake Lewis next week! Ok, you don't have to, but please do it anyway!!

Add 3 to the Pile.....

Well darn it, this week wasn't so good. I gained three pounds. Over all in three weeks that puts me at 9 down? I am still happy! I didn't exercise and after a late night Gymboree excursion with Mercy, I had taco bell.....so not part of South Beach. That means I have to work extra hard this week. Good luck to all of you ladies, I am quite sure you are doing wonderful, and you all look great!

The Fab Five

So ladies here it is, week two and 5 more pounds. I do not see it in this picture at all. In fact this picture prolly makes me look 5 pounds or more heavier then last week. So far in the two week cleansing period i have lost 12 pounds. That puts me 3 pounds away from halfway to my goal!!!! I am very excited about that. So now I have 13 more pounds to lose and you all don't have to see skimpy fat pictures of me hehehe. I really notice that my appetite has changed, I don't crave as many anything, my stomach must be shrinking. I am not drinking as much water as I should. That is my goal for this week, to try and force that gallon into me. I want to see if it makes a difference. I am starting to exercise again which is a great thing, and I loved yoga!! I think i can really do something with that one. I am going to post later this week about some exercise stuff i am doing. I really needed this challenge and even though the 25 pounds i pledge to lose is a small amount of what i need to loose, I am so glad I can do this part with my friends. Thank you all for you love and support. I really need it, I need to get back to the real me and be happy again. Good luck to all of you, and let me know if you need any help at all!!

What a Week

This week Dave has been home on vacation. We have spent time in the backyard getting the gardern ready. We went to the Morten Arboretum Children's Garden which is always so much fun. If you haven't gone you really need to. There is so much to do.

Dave thought it would be funny for Katie to chew on a plastic Praying Mantis. So gross.

Braeden really enjoyed the rope bridges.

And he really enjoyed the playing in the pond.

This is a scupture that was made right at the Arboretum. You can even go inside. It was amazing. It took the artist one month to complete.

8 pounds down

This is me one week into our challenge and I have lost 8 pounds. I have been so strict on myself. The first two day were hard, but now it is all a piece of cake. Well, really more like fat free cottage cheese or something. LOL. Anyway, 17 lbs to go. I better keep up the good work!

25 and Life to Go

Ok so this picture is a week old, but it is my first post in my Fitness Challenge endeavor. I am excited about this challenge, time to lose the weight and look great. Well, I am sure I can lose the weight but man I have some good looking friends.....they will ALWAYS look great. So time to suck it up and get my groove on. Wish me luck everyone I have a long road ahead of me.!

* Happy Mail *

I am so excited I have my first Happy Mail ever. Thank you Amanda you made my day. I am so happy to be the proud owner of a sweet set of Artsy Amanda Greeting Cards. Hehe. Watch your mailboxes girls, I will be sending some soon.

Who is that??

Yes ladies, I used to be skinny. Can you belive this picture? Once upon a time I was a tiny thing too. So here is my motivation picture. I need to lose a TON of weight and have l bit of nip and tuck and I can do it. No more complaining, crying, being depressed. GAME ON!!! My time has come to change who I am, or at least the way I look. Hope you all enjoy this one. South Beach Diet here I come!

If it just had Palm Trees.....

Here is to Amanda's/Chealsea's post. This is my messy island. It's messy but we use it for everything. It is the center of all that happens in our house. Lots of Good Times.

Buckets of Fun.....

Happy Easter! Dave grew up in a family that never had Easter baskets (so he tells me) so he has never been very supportive of me making them. I still do, trying to keep it small and including a few small things for him as well. I went with matching little pink and blue buckets. Braeden has had a blast playing with his and Katie's. What do you give a 7 month old instead of candy? Although you can't see it she got Dessert Baby Food: Vanilla Pudding, and Hawaiian Delight. Okay maybe that is a bit corny, but I thought it was fun!

He's 3!!

We had Braeden's 3rd birthday party on Saturday. We just had a few friends and family over for some pizza and cake. It was so much fun!! Small and simple and we had a great time. And we had the coolest cake ever!! Take a Look!!

Her First Kiss

Last night was the Fife's going away party. It was a blast. We went roller skating. I have not been roller skating in who knows how long. This was just a great chance for some good old fashioned fun. Now I am not silly enought to pst pictures of me yet, but I have some of my cute baby girl.

Her dad was not to happy with the little boy in this picture. Graham is such a cutie and boy does he know how to kiss!!!

Time to Jive

Ok that title is rediculous. But here it is girls......My first Blog entry!!!! I can be cool like the rest of you guys now :) I hope to accomplish alot of things from this. Staying in touch with great friends, learning more about everyone, having some accountability on goals that I have. You guys are all great so here is to happy blogging.