Hello?

Hey, folks! My name is ((mom2lo)) and I've been neglecting my blog.

Okay, now that I've admitted it, the next step is fixing it, right? Right. Things have been a bit busy this summer and I just haven't been able to make the time to blog. Here are a few of the things we've been up to (and/or have coming up soon)...

• I've revolutionized (?) my diet. I completely eliminated soda about a month ago and it's been great. Of course I expected to see the pounds just melt away, but obviously that hasn't happened. I've also started making healthier food choices for myself and my family. This has been awesome! The kids are adjusting rather nicely, which is a blessing. I've put myself on an 1,100 calorie "diet" per day, and have had almost NO PROBLEM staying at or below that number. I never knew it would be possible! I'm eating whole foods (fruits and veggies for snacks and with almost every meal), lots of whole grains and drinking water almost exclusively. I used to drink MAYBE 8 oz. of water per day. Now I'm drinking about a gallon a day or more. Crazy! I've also started an organic body cleanse just to rid my body of build up toxins from eating junk foods for 30-something years. I'm hopeful after 14 days, I'll see a big difference and will feel awesome!
• I donated blood yesterday at hubs' office. It was awesome! It'd been far too long since I've donated (ashamed to admit since before I was pregnant with LO!) and I was so glad to get in there and get it done! I'm hoping to try to donate more regularly (every 8 weeks) since I'm O-, which is very much in demand these days. It feels so good to give back!
• LO's 4th birthday is a week from Monday. This year I'm doing two parties for her: one at home with family and one at ((gulp)) Chuck E. Cheese's. We finally gave in. This will be her first birthday party NOT at home and the first time I won't have control over every single detail. I'm not too nervous about it. I mean, really, as long as there are games and cake, the kid will be fine. I know she'll love it! My biggest challenge is the fact that she's asked for a Firetruck cake. Ya. So that ought to be challenging time-consuming fun. Anybody got any tips, ideas or suggestions? I'm all ears!
• Chase is doing super awesome! He's getting so big and independent -- and tall, too! He's about up to LO's neck! Crazy. He loves to play outside, anything involving water and finding quiet time for himself (when his sister isn't growling, yes growling in his face. We have a trip to Charleston next week for a follow-up with his ENT. They'll recheck his hearing and make sure there's no fluid in his ears. I'm hoping that everything looks great! He also has an outpatient procedure scheduled while we're there. Please keep him in your prayers! I'm sure he's gonna do great! :)
• I'm also deep into the planning of the Palmetto Hearts Pediatric Cardiology Reunion in Charleston on September 17th. Invitations have been created, ordered and shipped. Now I'll have the fun of mailing 300 invitations... Haha! I'm excited about the event. I know all of the heart families from across South Carolina look forward to this event every year, and I'm honored to be the one planning all the details and fun! It's exciting and awesome but sure takes up a lot of my time! I still try to fit in fun trips for the kids and outings to the pool each week. Otherwise, I'd be stuck behind this here MacBook and on my iPhone 24/7 making all the arrangements!

Guess there's not much else to report. We're just enjoying our summer. I'm trying to disconnect myself from the virtual world a bit because it's just not healthy and it's not the message I want to send to my kids. I don't want them growing up thinking life revolves around the Internet. I want to get out there and enjoy it with them! So please don't be offended if I'm not posting as much on here or if you don't see me active on Facebook or if I'm not commenting on blogs. I just want to enjoy my REAL family and not waste time on virtual things! :)

Here are a few pics of my little water boy from the other day. Hope you all are enjoying your summer with your families!