The Sloan Chronicles

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Crash and burn

Since it wasn't outrageously hot this morning and since little Eli was feeling somewhat better (he's had a fever and felt icky since yesterday afternoon), we headed out to play in the yard. The boys ran and chased each other. We found some funny-looking bugs. Abel and I practiced "come here"--I am currently training this instruction. Eli played with some "ginormous" sticks. And, the boys played in the ditch at the top of the driveway.

For those who don't know, our driveway slopes fairly steeply from the street down to our home. Eli took off down the driveway toward the house and Abel wasn't far behind him. Abel picked up speed and I could see it coming. He was getting faster. The downward slope was outrunning him. Time slowed to a crawl. My legs were stuck in place. There was no way I could prevent it. Abel wiped out...in a really big way. He tried to catch himself, but the momentum was just too much. It looked like he just dove into the cement. I rushed to him and picked him up. Bless his heart! He looked like he had just scrubbed the left side of his face on the driveway. There were scrapes and some blood and lots of tears. Of course, I think some of his tears were because I told him we had to go inside. If you know Abel and his love for the outdoors, you completely understand that.

Once inside, he stopped crying (this kid is a bruiser with no drama--love it!), we cleaned it up and applied the cure-all that is Neosporin. And with that, Abel was over it. He was signing and asking for "outside!" Really, little guy?!? Do you remember wiping out face first into the driveway? Are you sure?

So, without hesitation, we were back in the yard with the boys running and chasing each other and all is again right with the world. Well, except for the "two-face" look that Abel will be sporting for the next few days!

Sunday, July 31, 2011

An evening out

We've been enduring some crazy hot temperatures recently. Yesterday was the ninth day this month that the temperature reached the triple-digit mark of 100 degrees or more, not counting the heat index! Let me tell you, that's hot! It's too hot to spend much time outside and with little boys who are bursting with energy, that creates a crisis of sorts. It certainly leads to some very imaginative ideas for releasing all that steam. Check out the fun the boys had with pool noodles!

Today we had some rain and some thunder and it seems that the storm brought along a much needed break from the sweltering heat. After dinner the outside temps had dipped all the way into the upper 70s! Whew! What do the Sloans do when the temperatures take a much needed break from the 100s? We go out. Outside, that is. So, we loaded up in the van and took off for the park. The boys had a great time swinging, sliding, climbing, running around, chasing each other, and just getting downright dirty! Thanking God for perfect weather for a perfect evening of playing outside!

"A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair, and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket" ~Arthur Godfrey

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Why weight to celebrate?

Today I celebrated early. I've been working hard toward a goal since Valentine's Day and I'm almost there.

Last fall I went to the OB/GYN for my usual yearly exam. I was already dreading the appointment. Men, forgive me, but all the ladies understand that this is not a highly anticipated get-together with the doctor! During my before-the-actual-poking-and-prodding sit down discussion in her office, the doctor mentioned that since I'm not getting any younger, it was recommended that I get a complete workup. So, following her advice, I had the complete workup along with aforementioned poking-and-prodding. Fun!

At the follow up visit, the doctor pointed out slightly elevated cholesterol and my more that slightly elevated weight! "Yea, doc...I know, I'm fluffy! I've had two babies. What do you want from me?" She discussed her concerns and I made exceptions and excuses in my head. As I left her office, I pushed it all to the back of my mind.

Well, I'm not sure about you, but when I push things to the back of my mind, they always seem to try to push their way back to the front. That nagging thought from the doctor's office, the clothes staring at me from the closet that were still too tight almost a year after delivering the second baby, and my general unhappiness with my reflection all lead up to what happened on Valentine's evening. At 6:30, I walked into my first Weight Watchers meeting. Five months and lots of hard work later, I am down 37 pounds; I'm 4.4 pounds from my goal; and those clothes that taunted me are now too big!

So, today I celebrated. Tired of the threat of pants falling to my knees, gathered waistbands from belts pulled super tight, and baggy, shapeless shirts, my mom and I went the outlet stores for some new threads in some smaller sizes. We hit the Eddie Bauer Outlet, the Bass Outlet, Ann Taylor Outlet, and more. I don't know about you, but this is what a weight loss celebration looks like for me.

Can I just say that the celebration was made all the sweeter when I got all that plus 4 pairs of underwear (not pictured--some things just aren't meant to be shared) and two candles for less than $200. Yeah, me!!

And, just a warning to those last 4.4 pounds: Don't get comfortable. You're on the way out!!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Making Memories

"We do not remember days, we remember moments. The richness of life lies in memories we have forgotten."

I'm back to blogging because I made the decision that I didn't want to have so many forgotten memories. This is a great way to not only have a permanent record, but share it with friends and family! I mean, if we get to live this amazingly hilarious, super busy, unbelievably joyful, surprisingly entertaining, all-encompassing, and often overwhelming life, then by all means, we should share it with those we love!

My boys are growing up and my marriage is blossoming, and I don't want to miss a thing! So, be on the lookout for posts and pictures as I try to capture the ordinary everyday that is life with the Sloans!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Coming Soon...

I've made the decision to give this blogging thing a try again. I'll be doing some housekeeping here on the blog and sprucing things up a bit over the next couple of days! Hang in there, I'll be posting again soon!