Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!

So I wrote this wonderful message of Christmas cheer and the computer ate it in its Grinch style. Ba humbug! I guess each picture will just get a lengthy caption. Enjoy.

Kristy found this great little wooden tree at the GoodWill. It has pegs all over it to hang ornaments. It was so cute. I hung the earring that Tracy hand-made for me on it, you can see them on the left. James made a couple of ornaments for it and hung lots of candy canes on it which Titus and Jude kept eating. Ah the joys of parenthood! :) The topper is an angle Titus "made" in Sunday school. I absolutely adore the whole thing!!

What a beautiful angel!

James was the only one that would sit still long enough for me to take his picture. He picked out this outfit for the Christmas Eve candle light service. He is so handsome!

The Starnes family tree and stockings. Thank you Grandma, Papa, Grammy, and Grandad for all the wonderful gifts!



Our hand-made stocking from my mommy. One of my favorite parts of Christmas.



It is a tradition for us to open one gift on Christmas Eve. It is always a new pair of pajamas so we are decent on Christmas morning for pictures. ;) Titus' new thing is to say "cheese" every time he sees the camera. I love it!



James and Titus both received dinosaur pajamas. James was very impressed.



After jammy time the boys watched the traditional Christmas cartoons on TV, popcorn and all.




They were watching Mr. Heat Miser.




Both boys received scooters from their Grammy and Grandad. Titus straddles his and runs while hovering over the seat. It is quite adorable. In the afternoon while Aaron and Titus napped James and I went to the bike path with Jude and tested out his new wheels. His balance still needs some work but we'll keep trying.

Titus received a basketball hoop from his Grandma and Papa. He can slam dunk on the lowest level and he can already shoot it into the second level. He is every bit as athletic as James is smart!

This is not from Christmas but James sang me a lovely song the other night and I wanted to share his talent with all of you. He is such and amazing little boy. I enjoy him so much.

I tried to load this video but it won't work. I'll try again tomorrow.

Titus always copies me when I whistle so I was trying to catch it on tape however, every time he sees the camera he just says "cheese". The majority of this video is of him ignoring me but it was just too darn cute to pass up.

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas as much as I did. Even though I couldn't afford to buy my children a single gift I loved the time I spend with James, the smiles I got from Titus and the notes my husband wrote to me...all things that didn't cost anything. Sometimes I forget that idea is what Christmas is all about...the love we get and give and the love of God.

Titus' First Snow

Yes, I said snow. It actually snowed in Las Cruces! And even more amazing, it stuck!! James is thrilled because he loves snow but Titus has never seen it before. He seemed to know what to do though. He got right in and started throwing it at his brother. Gotta love sibling rivalry. :) Here are some pics. Enjoy!



Mom, what's with all the clothes?



Beautiful



Purple Mountain Majesty



Run away!



Here comes James.



Amazing



What fun.



Winter wonderland

The Boys Have New Haircuts

I know its been a long time since I blogged about the children and I still haven't written about my trip. I am trying to wade through the hundreds of pictures! Anyway, here we are at Thanksgiving and both children have new haircuts. This was Titus' first! I wanted to wait for a birthday or special day but it was growing so fast and driving me crazy. It had cute little curls in the back for a while but then it got so long and was just gross. I finally just wacked it off. James had a great long do while we were home this summer but then as it grew out it just lost its shape. I had it done at the salon several weeks ago and I LOVED it...for about three days. Then it just looked shaggy. He has been asking for a mohawk for over a year now and I finally gave in. I wasn't sure I would like it but I actually LOVE it. Let's hope it lasts longer than three days. Lol! Hope you like the pics.

The First Snip!

Before

The First Cut

Itchy, itchy, itchy!

After

Before

Hello, McFly!

Rock On!

What Kind Of Dinosaur Is That Again?

I say again, weight loss in November?

So my whole healthy living plan has been thrown out the window and hit by a Mac truck. I have been working as ton as a tutor at Gym Magic and not had the time to exercise as much. Plus the tutoring program has overflown its room and most of the gym equipment has been put in storage so I have nothing to workout on anyway. My eating stinks as usual but I'm still down at 72 pounds so I'll take it. We'll see what happens after Thanksgiving. I'll be working even more and preparing to move. I think its a lost cause but try, try again, right?

End of Week 2

I've been so proud of myself for exercising everyday. Usually I get really excited then quit two days later but I've been at it for two whole weeks now! I am feeling a little better so I hope that will push me to continue. My weight and measurements haven't changed that much but more energy is a huge plus. I have been taking the kids to the park and going outside to play with the puppy more. I am seeing small changes that will hopefully lead to big or permanent changes. Here's to good health!

Week 2, Day 4

I'm dying, I really think I'm dying. I went to an adult gymnastics class (which means over 12). I was twice a old, if not more, than everyone there. Ugh! I am ridiculously sore and beat up but did things that I never thought I could. It was great fun and I hope to go back again. It was a great workout too. My food is still off. I seem to be eating way fewer calories than I need but am maxing out my sugar and cholesterol intake. Its a quandary. So moving on. Eating better. Exercising more. Having fun!

Week 2, Day 2

Up, down, up, down. My legs and my weight. I have decided that I LOVE the elliptical machine but my legs are so mad at me! I even did it backwards and wow that gives a burn. I walked on the treadmill for about 2 minutes on Saturday until I ended up having a meeting so that was a bust but six days in a row of work out isn't bad in my opinion. Sunday, the beginning of week two, started with a walk on the local bike trail. It isn't a Pilate's class but it sure is something, and fun for the kids too. My diet is the same. I have been keeping track of my calories, which is eye opening, but I am still going to eat. No starving for me!!! I'm back at 73lbs but am feeling great!

End of week one!

I forgot to write yesterday but it was a successful day. I found a sight to help me track what I eat and my weight loss. I am also starting a book about the whole life: eating well, living right, and loving God. Last night I walked on the treadmill, worked on the eliptical (for the first time), and tried the Total Gym. Go Chuck Norris! I realized just how heavy I am and just how weak I am. I can not lift my own body weight too many times. LOL! My weight yesterday was 71.5 lbs.

This morning I got up WAY TOO EARLY and went to a pilates class. I actually really enjoyed it! I step an hour stretching, doing and ab work out and relaxing. And for my effort I gained a pound back. 72.5 lbs...its all muscle. :)

We'll see what tomorrow brings. Later.

Nov. 4, healthy living log

Today I ate ok until dinner. Who knews eggs and sausage were so bad for you?! :) I went back to the gym and walked off 100 calories. According to the scale a lost 1 pound! Somehow I don't believe that. We'll see what it says tomorrow. I went on a sight to help me keep track of my calories eaten vs. calories burned. Quite an eye opener! Good luck in your ventures and I'll update tomorrow. Bye!

Weight Loss in November???

I know, I know. I haven't blogged in, well, forever. I haven't even written about my vacation yet, (I will, I promise!) but now I'm going to work on something else. I bought Kristy and I memberships to the gymnastics club where David trains so we can exercises while we watch him workout. Today was my first day there. I ran on the treadmill long enough to burn 100 calories. I rewarded myself with Taco Bell so I guess day one was a bust! I'll keep working on it. :)
Here are my day one stats and please keep in mind that I am 4'2":
Weight: 74.5 lbs
Arms: 8.5 in each
Thighs: 16 in each
Bust: 32 in
Waist: 28.5 in
Hips: 33 in

So basically, I look like a rectangle with toothpick arms. :) My goal is to whittle down my waist a bit, gain some muscle in my arms, and drop a few pounds but I will settle for feeling better! Wish me luck and I'll keep you updated.

Work, work, work!

Space Invaders


Nakey Starnes



My Wild Man

Best Buddies

How Cute

Homemade Applesauce

My wake-up call. Ugg!

Cool Dude

Yee Haw!

Homeschool Hooligans

Stinkapotamus

Cheese

Oh, Julia! You're sooo pretty.

Sweet Dreams

The long coveted bunk bed. Oooo, aaaaa.

Well, I quit my job at the daycare about six weeks ago now and I haven't stopped running since. I worked on a movie called "Betty Anne Waters" in Ann Arbor, MI. My first time traveling for work. I must say that I quite enjoyed it! I have redone my head shots and resume. I have sent out packets for auditions for twelve movies. One is for the Disney channel. David and Patrick said that I would be the coolest aunt ever if I were on the Disney channel. Here's hopin'! I have submitted to a dozen or so casting agencies to fill in between stunting gigs. I am taking a voice-over class next week. The boys and I should be home the middle of August for about eight weeks. We are all very excited! Patrick is leaving tomorrow to visit Illinois for a few months. Titus will be so sad. Patrick is his favorite person in the whole wide world. And finally, the big excitement for the day, I found a tarantula in the playroom just minutes after waking up this morning. Another creepy crawly pet to add to the collection.

James finished school but still loves to wear his new glasses. He went to the dentist last week and his adult teeth are right there. He'll be getting them soon. They are HUGE! I thought he already had big front teeth but WOW! He is growing his hair out and now that it is getting humid here I think he maybe regretting it. However, he is too much like his daddy to admit that he might change his mind.

Titus is about to be...ONE! Give me a minute, I need to lie down. He is getting his second top tooth and they are as big as James'! Kristy yells "Huh-yuk!" every time he smiles. He is starting to walk. We turn over a stool and he runs around behind it. He can take about ten steps by himself now even though he is still having trouble with his right foot. He loves to play peek-a-boo. He is learning to drink from a cup, no more bottles after he turns one. He is getting pretty handy with a spoon. He has been in a bunk bed for a few weeks now. He is doing great! I put a gym mat down for the first couple of weeks but he doesn't need it. He won't get out even if he doesn't want to sleep. He is passive-aggressive like me...he just takes the sheets off and throws them on the floor. :)

As always, I hope you enjoy the pictures and vidoes. We miss and love you all!

Jodi, James, and Titus

Pole Dancer

Walking

Peek-a-boo!

Ha, ha, ha...wait, what?!

Yummo!

James' new glasses.

Rock On!

J David "Betty Anne Waters"

Bailee "Betty Anne Waters"

Jude

What a beautiful baby!

Look at that face.

What a face.

Whee ha!

Brotherly love.

Well, I can't ever seem to keep up with this thing. I have no idea how Kristy can do it so much and still get everything else done around here. I'm trying to remember everything that has happened since my last blog. My job finished up on April 30th. I was sad because I am going to miss the kids and my teachers but so happy to be away from the craziness. I'm glad to be at home more with the boys. So after I left The Children's Garden I tried to catch up on all the things I couldn't do while working. On the first James and I went to the eye doctor and he was prescribed reading glasses. The second was my birthday and the boys and I drove to El Paso to pick up my birthday present...an eight week old chocolate lab to be named Jude. On the fourth the boys got there pictures done while Titus was still nine months old. The rest of the week was filled with therapy for Titus and looking for gigs. On the twelfth I took the bigger boys to Gym Magic for the home school gymnastics group. Later that evening I left for Albuquerque. On the thirteenth I went to the LA Stunt Training Camp to meet with a stunt coordinator and work out with them. I'm still sore! I got to beat up a huge guy, it was great! I was home for one day before I left to work on "Betty Anne Waters" in Detroit for four days. Whew! It was so much fun...when I was actually doing something. Oh well, they can pay me to sit around. I don't mind. :) I have a full week ahead of me as well. Head shots tomorrow, doctor and dentist on Thursday, blood work and doctor on Friday, and I should confirm two more jobs by the weekend. Ugh. The boys are doing great. James loves his new glasses and has two weeks left of school. Titus is trying so hard to walk and I keep knocking him down. :) "Lay down and be a baby!" I am loving every second that I am home with the kids and am looking forward to more jobs. I seem to have the best of both worlds. And even better one of my jobs may take my to Illinois for a while. I hope to see all of you very soon.

Love to All,

Jodi, James, and Titus