This is a video of an amazing dad and his VERY talented son. What more can I say...

There is a growing movement sweeping the nation... registering for gifts beyond weddings and babies.  These registries are given out in lieu of lists, and it makes for an interesting debate. Personally I really like the idea of people registering.  We should just keep registries all year long; they would work for Christmas, birthday, Mother/Father's Day, etc. Registries are after all an electronic list, so really there shouldn't be any gripe about it. 

Registries are good for the giver and receiver.  The giver, really just wants to give the receiver something that they will use, that will fit, and something that they are excited about.  And the receiver... well I KNOW we have ALL received "that" sweater.  I think that registries are considerate; especially in this electronic age where most like to shop online anyway.

I hope I am not overstepping by telling this, but I'll keep it anonymous... this year some family members gave their Christmas lists to the parents via e-mail with hyperlinks. At first I laughed about it, because it seemed to totally take the "gift giving" spirit out of the gift giving. But I thought about it and no, it is making the season easier, less stressful, and more pleasant. The giver knows exactly what the receiver wants, but maintains the ability to choose whatever they want/ can afford from the list.  And really if they want to get you something that is not on the list, they are going to whether your list is on a piece of paper, or stored on-line as a registry.  I mean really, has "that" sweater EVER been on your list?

Thoughts?

As many of you are faithful TWJ readers, you know that we are in Colorado Springs for Thanksgiving this year. We ate a lot! It was great, and mom came through for me and made amazing Yams... they are my favorite!

Here are some great pictures of the family during our celebration!

I hope that you all had a fun and relaxing Thanksgiving and were able to take time to think about all of the blessings in your life. I know I have!

Click here for pictures. Enjoy!

This picture is a picture of the original Pilates studio.  In the picture is Joseph Pilates  (creator of Pilates) and his niece Ann.

I promise that this blog will not be all about my work-out issues, but I wanted to update you all on the first Pilates class. It was AWESOME! Actually it started out really funny, but then, as it went on, it was intense.

So the funny parts came at the beginning when we were "meditating."  The instructor said, "Now some people like to repeat a mantra to themselves like ‘ohmmm,’ or some other personal mantra."  All I could think was that I was not going to be able to contain my laughter if someone breaks out with an ‘ohmmm,’ or other “personal mantra;” it was too cliché.  I thought I was going to lose it, luckily, no one said anything out loud.  Then the instructor said, “one way for us to center is to focus on the space in between our eyebrows, picture your third eye...” What third eye, are you kidding me?!? At that point I DID have a personal mantra, “please don't laugh, I know this is funny, but PLEASE don't laugh! Grow up; this is supposed to be relaxing, not hilarious.” Later, talking to Kelly she said, at the third eye part I was thinking, “What have I gotten Brooklynne into.”

But once the meditation time was over and the work-out started, it kicked our butts. It was great. I loved it. I can't wait for the next class... which is Wednesday.

After reading my previous entry about working out, my dear sister-in-law, Kelly asked me how it was going. Since I haven't been but two other times since writing that post, I sort of laughed it off telling her about all of my excuses for not going.

Not wanting to leave Halleigh at the day-care area, hating to shower multiple times in a day, etc. I really appreciate Kelly, she is so much like a sister to me.  She says what she thinks and is so honest and open about herself. Anyway, to make a long story short we decided that we would start going to a Pilates class at the Y that is on Monday's and Wednesday's.  I am so excited about this, as she will hold me accountable and two times a week, at least, I will get a good work out in. If she expects me to be there, I can't let her down!

I told Miles this, and we are going to work it out so that he meets me at the Y and takes Halleigh home.  This is great, as a side note, because it will give Halleigh and Miles time to spend together just by themselves; dads and daughters need that.  And the days that he can't or other days that I want to work out, I am getting over my day-care fear and am going try it again... I deserve a little "me" time a couple times a week!

It seems like for the last month Halleigh or I have been sick. She was healthy for all of her first year. Never had there been so much as a cough or a sniffle. But this year it seems as though the child just cannot catch a break. We are definitely getting a flu shot this year! 

The worst part about it is that it is painfully hard, frustrating, and disgustingly annoying to take care of a whiny, sick toddler when you yourself feel terrible.

We took a "sick day" today and hopefully we will kick this last round of illness so that tomorrow we can resume our lives.  Although I am going to have my work cut out for me to get this house back in shape after our total slothful, lazy day today.