Update

Sorry I have been MIA.  Very busy since the first of the year.  I have been working out at least 4 times a week, and tracking my calories and fitness on livestrong.com (the daily plate section).  Since January 1st I have lost 13 pounds.  I should have measured to track inches, but I didn't.  I'm almost 2 pant sizes down.  I think I'm 2 band sizes in my bra since I haven't found one that fits just right now.  I'm actually proud of myself for being able to do 5.0 incline at 3.5 mph.  I actually got it up to 4.0 mph yesterday for 5 minutes and that is my goal; to keep it that way during my workout.  I have been weight circuit training as well, and added ab excercises from Roy's total gym last night.  Needless to say my stomach hurts if I cough or laugh today.  I hope to reach my goal weight before Thanksgiving this year.  I'm 3 pounds behind schedule on my goals.  I will update you on my journey as it continues.

A look back

Ok; It's finally here! Tomorrow will be my 10th Wedding Anniversary! I feel like a kid on Christmas! Althought it's not like I'm getting anything materialistic tomorrow; it's just a milestone. We did however get our gift cards in the mail back from Chase so our dinner reservations are still on. Just have to make sure that my dress fits as I have gained 10 pounds since Thanksgiving, ugh :( My sister is great with all the sappy, lovey-dovey stuff. I am in my mind but not on paper. Roy if you are reading (since you know about the blog now); I treasure the last 10 years, for better or worse (we have definitely had both). I cherish our little moments together and how we have grown as a couple; and seen our relationship change once we took on our parental roles. I cannot think of anyone I would rather have at my side on this journey. We definitely even each other out; ying and yang. Here is to another 10, I LOVE YOU, BABE! (like a fat kid loves cake.. and that's a lot!) you know which kid and what cake ;) Here is a look at 10 years ago; December 31, 1999.

Mr. & Mrs. Roy Martin Jr.

Cutting the Cake

Cutting the Groom's Cake

My New In-laws

L-R Jodye, Vanessa, Melanie, Roy, Roy Sr, Linda, Tina

My Family

L-R Meredith, Morgan, Melanie, Mom, Roy and Dad

My Father and me

RIP- Odis Jerald Gibbons 4/23/2007

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!
Melanie

Anniversary Countdown

Ok- I have only 16 days until my 10th anniversary! I know I'm probably retardedly excited but not everyone was happy that I got married after all I was only 21 and I got married on the 1st anniversary of my first date with my fiancee. I only know of 2 other couples that are still together after all this time; a lot of our friends are divorced now. I'm so glad we have been able to work through our problems but all married couples know that is an ongoing process. We have overcome so many financial and emotional hurdles in our time together and I cannot wait to grow old with him. All except the wrinkles part :) I cannot wait to see what the next 10 years bring.

Dec 31, 1999

See my "cute" ring

Countdown

I know most people are counting down to Christmas this time of year. Officially we have 10 days left until Christmas. I'm busy getting the last minute gifts for secret santa and dept. gift exchange. This year Roy and my Christmas to each other is a new fridge, a new set of pots, and a coffee maker. (this is the pic from the website since my pic from home didn't go through)- Guess we really are rednecks since we were so excited about a fridge.  BTW this is the first side by side fridge that I have ever owned.

These were all things that we needed but I'm happy. We had to set some of Matt's presents aside for his birthday since we bought so many throughout the year. I hope he likes everything. It seems like he is finally getting the whole "Santa is watching you" now and is behaving. Hopefully that will last till Christmas. Also for some unknown reason I'm more excited about my Anniversary on the 31st than Christmas. Maybe its because Christmas is just different now that my Dad is dead, and all my sisters are married. We are trying to carry on the traditions that we grew up with. Every year I wonder how my mother did it. I only have (1) child and a full-time job and I feel like I can never get everything done. This woman's house was always clean, she did tons of baking, shopping and wrapping for Christmas. I hope that I can get my act together, I'm trying with the baking and cooking; and I know Matt has plenty of gifts. I can't wait until my sisters have babies of their own so we will have a bigger family. I'm an aunt to my sister-in-law's kids that I never get to see but cannot wait till I get to help spoil a little Morg or Mer. I hope one of them has a little fat red-headed baby :)  If I don't blog before then hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Meeting Matt

Today marks the 4th anniversary of meeting my son, Matthew.  Matthew is adopted; and we got him on December 9, 2005 when he was 6 months old.  I cannot imagine my life without this little guy.  I have included some pictures of this special day.  It wasn't till June 2006 when his adoption was finalized but I knew from the moment I held him that he was my son.

Our New Family

We have been explaining to my son lately of his unique situation.  The book that we most like is "The Day God Found us You".  So I have been telling him today is a very special day.  Today is the day that God found us Matthew.

Clean Ring!!

Here is the pic of my sparkly clean ring, since it wouldn't let me load more than one earlier.  I will have to send pics of my tiny one (but much loved!!) later.

Lemon Pie

Here are the pics of my lemon pie.  BTW- found out my shortening had expired the hard way.  Pie looked good but the crust tasted horrible.  I have since bought new Crisco. :)