1. He takes a month’s worth of “brain food” for afternoon snack
2. He takes his lunch to school every day (the kids are always intrigued what he brings!)
3. For the birthdays of a classmate, the teacher lets him get into his “brain food“
4.  On party days, (Christmas, Thanksgiving) I get a notice of what food will be given and I send Gremlin to school with the same food; just “his kind”.

Gremlin told me a “secret” last year that Valentines and Halloween are his hardest holidays. He loves trick or treating and he’s always handed his candy bag over to his older brother without even a whimper. It breaks my heart as a mother and yet I’m so proud of him!

I recently found out just how serious his classmates take his allergies. Gremlin doesn’t know it but the Homeroom Mom is planning on getting Gremlin his own party bag with his kind of candy in it (which he’s never had) and then this morning I received a message from one of his classmate’s mom. His classmate wanted to know what Gremlin could eat so she could give him a Valentine just for him.

This brings a lot of tears to my eyes and mush in my heart. I’m thrilled that we live in a community that takes care of their neighbors. It means the world to me!

A few weeks ago I stood on the scale and about lost my uppers. I had never been that heavy in my life. However, I have had a pretty stressful year and  I had just turned 40. Bye, bye metabolism! It was time to get serious…

I threw out anything that had sugar or carbs. J and I sat down and planned out meals that involved perfectly weighed out meat. Veggies that could be prepared without oil. And nothing but water, tea and coffee (I can’t take out coffee…don’t make me!).

Day 1 was awesome! Day 2 was becoming a challenge. Day 3 I had an all out panic attack looking for something to eat.

It’s been 10 days and I’ve lost only 5 lbs, but what’s awesome is I’ve lost 3 inches in my waist alone! I’m forcing my mind and stomach to remember who is boss. Talk about a conflict of interest!

Now that the panicky Jen has subsided, I can objectively look at what is the hardest on me:

1. I’m German. German’s can’t survive without potatoes. You try to tell a German to take away potatoes from his diet and he’ll punch you.

2. I’m practically East Indian. Indians can’t survive without rice. You try to tell an Indian to remove rice from his plate and he’ll stab you in the eyeball.

3. I’m a Southern Girl at heart. We can’t survive without sweet ice tea. You try to tell me to replace my sweet tea with water, I’ll break your knee caps.

{…I’m really not that violent…}

That all being said, I’m being a good, compliant girl and doing what needs to be done because I am seeing results.

But if I have to turn away chips and salsa one more time.…!!!

When Gremlin was 3, we lost all his underoos in various homes in a matter of 2 months.

Robin’s fun writing prompt!

Hurry up and wait.

I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel at 40, but I don’t feel any different than yesterday when I was 39.

It was so much cooler turning 10…double digits!!

Then 20 felt a little old — all these people expected so much from me…all these old geezers…they were probably 32.

Turning 30 meant I had to have my act together…I didn’t.

Now I’m 40…I kinda have my act together…at least I tell my children that. No need worrying them.

So, Mr. Forty (I don’t know why he’s a Mr, but he just is!),

I’m going to stand on top of that tall looming mountain you’ve created, called “Over the Hill”, and face the other side with a brazen look on my face and true to my namesake, I will laugh wild and loud!

{…so there…}

Currently…

1. LISTENING: To my boys defeat zombies on Roblox, Boomer chasing rabbits in her dreams, Norah Jonas crooning.

2. EATING: The hottest South Indian soup known to mankind (burns out the allergies) and Wheat Thins.

3. DRINKING: Watered down Diet Coke from Braum’s…from lunch. (The ice tea isn’t done yet.)

4. WEARING: Long-sleeve gray t-shirt, jeans…and new contacts (Thankful for the little things!)

5. FEELING: Content, accomplished…ready to take on my last semester of classes!

6. WEATHER: It was beautiful today! It’s stinkin’ January 5th and Oldman was wearing shorts!

7. WANTING: A personal assistant for work!

8. NEEDING: Clothes…but not until I lose another size. *serious eyes*

9. THINKING: It feels good to blog again…I’ve missed this…

10. ENJOYING: Homeschooling Oldman. It was hard today, but I know it would be so much worse if I wasn’t teaching him.

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I love doing this so I can look back and remember these days.