Easter

I am a big holiday fan as it is anyway, but I love Easter! I love the colors, the flowers, the feeling of new beginnings, and being with family.

This was Sam's first Easter and we did the traditional Easter basket, cute outfit, and family pictures. Joe and I don't want the meaning behind Easter to get lost in all the bunnies, egg hunts and candy, so we mixed Sam's Easter basket with different and traditional things. We really want him to know that Easter is about Jesus and the sacrifice He made for our sins, and not about a bunny. Please don't get me wrong we love the Easter bunny, the eggs, and the peeps. We just don't want that to be his main focus each year. We want him to learn the scriptures and understand why we celebrate Easter; as well as have fun with the Easter bunny, finding eggs, and eating candy.

With that being said we had a good Easter. We got up early Sunday morning and finished making french toast for our Sunday School brunch, and then put Sam in his super cute Easter outfit. After that we went to church, and then to my parent's house for lunch with my sister and her family, Joe's mom and brothers, and my parents. Then, we went to Joe's aunt's house to visit his dad's side of the family for an hour or two. It was wonderful to see everyone, but needless to say, by the time we got home last night we were exhausted!

Sam's 6 month pictures

I cannot believe Sam is 6 months old! I took him this morning to get his 6 month picture taken. They are below for you to enjoy.

The Exersaucer

Joe and I bought Sam an exersaucer....sp? for Easter over the weekend, and it is one of the best things we have ever purchased! Sam absolutely loves it! NOTE to any new parents like us when your child can sit up on his or her own, get one of these, it's awesome. We got this one at Target and it took about 10 mins. to put together.

Sam's Easter Basket

Don't you love it when things come in EXACTLY how you imagine them in your mind! I am sooo pleased with Sam's Easter basket. It is so cute! I love it!!! If you know me then you know that I LOVE monogrammed things. I would monogram everything in my house if I didn't think it would be tacky. My mom has to remind me often that Sam is a boy and I don't need to monogram everything he owns. However, in this case I think it is completely appropriate and ADORABLE! I can't wait to fill his basket up fun Easter things!

Baby Fat

This past weekend Joe was in the bathroom getting ready for the day when I walked in and announced..."The Cooley's need a lifestyle change." He looked at me like I had eight heads and then chuckled and asked me to elaborate. Ok, so its been almost 6 months since I had Sam and I think the time of blaming my weight on the pregnancy has come to an end.

In my mind I don't think or feel that I am as big as I am. I still think of myself as the size I was before I was pregnant. However, that is soooo not the case; SO I have decided to do something about it. I don't have an unrealistic goal of becoming a size 4 or anything; I just want be fit and trim again.

First and foremost I have to get moving, so I am going to do some sort or cardio 4 times a week for at least 30 mins. I have to work until 4:30 everyday, but if anyone would like to walk/jog on a nice evening just give me a shout. I have a jogging stroller now, so Sam can go with us. Secondly, I am going to drink water, water, and more water....with a non-fat latte sprinkled in there (I seriously have a problem with lattes-they are just so good). Beyond that I don't know. I don't want to overwhelm myself with a crazy workout schedule...I just want to start out with a good foundation and work from there.

Anyway, I hope by posting this on my blog it will help me stick with it. Wish me luck & say bye bye baby fat (I hope). : )

A note from a friend

I got a cute "I'm thinking about you" note in the mail from a friend the other day. It absolutely made my day! The note said that I had been on her mind lately and she wanted to say hello, and then she wished me a good week. It made me think about what kind of friend I am to other people. I like to think of myself as a good friend, but I think I fall short of doing random nice things for my friends, or making enough time for them. Having a baby it is easy to say, "I don't have the time to do something" but the truth is I do have the time, I just have to modify it a little. I am going to make a conscious effort to be a better friend to my friends and family. My friends and family mean the world to me, and I pray they all know how special they are to me. Thanks Stephanie for helping me remember to LIVE the Golden Rule not just recite it....I loved your note! :)

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12)

Birthdays

I LOVE birthdays! I like to make a huge deal out of birthdays. I don't necessarily do big party or anything like that. I do more of a bunch of little things like: cards, small notes in random places, e-cards, random small presents, and then dinner where the birthday person wants to go.

We have a tradition in our family that on the morning of your birthday you are awakened with: your homemade cake-candles lit, presents, & your family singing happy birthday. It is so much fun! Then of course you get to eat cake for breakfast.

The first time I did this for my husband I scared him to death. I think he thought our bedroom was on fire, b/c the room was dark except for the candles on the cake burning. The funniest part is that he knew that it was coming b/c we talked about it the night before, but he still had this look of panic on his face until he woke up good. I have since started turning the light on as I come in the room singing.

Today is my mom's birthday, so I would like to wish her a very happy birthday. I did not get to participate in her birthday wake up today. I did, however, do the next best thing, which was to call her super early this morning and wish her a good one.

I don't care how old you get it makes you feel so good and loved when someone remembers your birthday.

If today is your birthday; I hope it is a good one!