Friday, November 14, 2008

Mark is finally home...

I am so happy to have Mark home after his week long, long journey...I can't wait to start on Admin's 7 day challenge.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Halloween...2


So, it's our 2nd Halloween at 558 Peacock. Couldn't let the night go by without keeping count of our trick-or-treaters! I am as excited as I was last year...so here goes!
6:23--the count is 5 so far.
6:40--we are up to 35
6:48--42!
6:50--56!
6:57--we are up to 81!
7:10--oh my! 135. What if we run out of candy?
7:11--147. We are gonna run out of candy.
7:36--189.I am holding Naomi, and she is not real happy about that.
7:20--154. Some one is handing out bags of chips. I wanna go to that house!
7:44--213.
7:47--224
7:57---239. Way more than last year when we only had 168! 
i went back and read last years blog, i gave much more detail about costumes, and other trivia. Too busy this year, sorry!
8:05--262--lots of kids just came to see Barrett
8:16--281 and counting!
8:29--289. it is slowing down, we may be done for the night. 
9:06--299 and we seem to be done...just one more....
9:16--303!!!!!






Wednesday, October 15, 2008

my kids













here are photos of my kids. Can you believe it? 

Facebook

So I have a facebook. I have been looking at photos on everyone elses and i don't have any on mine. I even own a camera, but never take pictures! I think I might start, but sometimes it seems pointless when Mark takes so many, not to mention our families pro photog chad, and lisa, and tiffany, and crystal, and rachel, and...anyway, i should really either get on this bandwagon, or get off. That camera is not doing me any good in my purse, now, is it?
I hate winter. I am not even really fond of fall. I hate that it is dark so early in the evening and when we get up. I hate that it will soon be cold. I am however thankful that we have had such great football weather. But really, honestly, i could live somewhere sunny and warm all year long, and not miss the seasons changing. I would love it. Now in complete contrast to what I have just said, I am also kinda in the mood for a thunderstorm. Nothing severe, just some thunder and lightening and rain. A nice calm storm. Just enough to get me past this "I need a thunderstorm" feeling. Does anyone else ever get that feeling? It's right up there with "I need to strangle a cat right this minute" which I have never done, nor will I. Just sometimes I feel like I might need to.
Well, dishes are waiting in the sink. It is only 7:52 pm, but I feel like it must be at least 11. It's that early darkness thing.
oh, by the way, I am at 139. slowly but surely, feasting on Him.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

I don't want to talk about it...

but i said I would, so here goes:  I am still eating too much. Obviously, since I have not lost even one pound in over 3 weeks. That is ridiculous, and I am embarrassed to even be admitting it. It feels worse than admitting my weight. I know this is really a trust issue, can God really satisfy me like I fool myself into thinking food does? Are a few more bites really gonna hurt? Do I really want to give up this part of me that I am so strongly holding on to? I want to say yes, yes, of course yes. But my refusal to give up even a little bit more food would tell a different story I think.
I have done fairly well with less snacking. But I still eat too much at night. I don't snack constantly at night like I used to but still eat too much dinner. I am a night eater, and it is so hard for me to give up what I have done for so long. It is like being addicted to a drug. I know it is bad, I know it is not helping me at all, in fact it is hurting me, both physically and emotionally, but still I pursue it like I can't live without it. I am comfortable with feeling just a little too full. It is the feeling I have lived with for so many years. Painful, sure sometimes, but it is not as "scary" as leaving the food behind and actually doing this. I feel stupid even blogging about food this way. I want it to just be will power. But it isn't. It is being willing to give up what I have given into for years. Being willing to submit, trust and move forward, not just leaving food on my plate.
I know if you are a naturally thin eater, you do not understand this at all. Food is not a problem for you. Be glad, but perhaps you have other vices. Smoking, drinking, shopping, it is the feeling that you can't let go of whatever it is, you need it. Well, i need food, but not too much food. I am a person who wants to know "how much an I eat today and still lose" not "how little food do I actually need to eat today?" I tend to mourn the food I don't get to eat...instead of celebrating. Sad huh?
Well, I am sure I have said enough for today. I will try to blog more about this journey. I am certainly wandering in the desert right now...knowing the promised land is in sight, but scared to trust the One who has promised it to me. 

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Bad week

I told you I would be honest thru this. So, it has been a bad week, eating wise. I have had some stressful situations this week, and even when I have been aware that my first thought was, what can I eat, I followed thru on that thought way too often. So, no weight lost, and I really should be in a third week of steady weight loss. Just because I don't snack doesn't mean I can still eat the same amount of food. The only way to lose the weight, is to stop putting the food in my mouth. Only fill the tank, not try to fill the reserve too. 
I have much appreciated the encouraging words from those of you who have mentioned it. I don't only want to do this for myself, I want to be able to encourage others with this, and I can't do that and stay at the same weight. 
So, I won't say I will start again tomorrow,  I will start now. Believe me, the fact that it is 9 pm usually wouldn't stop me from snacking. 
Also, I am positive that the itrain 30 days bible study will be a huge help. I always do better with my quiet time when I am being accountable to someone...and who better than the blog world? If you have not signed up yet to do this, you should. 
So no new weight to post...still between 142 and 145, depending on the day. But enough of that, I am going to do this...only with HIS help tho. I obviously don't have the will on my own. But that is probably a good thing for me to remember---his will, not mine.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

142

that's the lowest weight this week, however, since weight can go up and down by four pounds a day, not such a big deal. i said i would be honest in this endeavor...so i will. this week has been good and bad, some times eating til full, and not eating when i am not hungry is easy. sometimes, not so much. i do find myself being a little more picky about what i am eating, at least most of the time. but i have definitely had my moments of stress eating. and realizing how often that is my first thought during a stressful time--what can i eat?
so here are some of the principles of a thin eater. You only eat when hungry, and my signal is a growl. I can talk myself into "feeling" hungry, but my sure signal is a growl...so that is what i need to wait for. You also stop when you feel full. I seem to give a deep breath when i am full...and sometimes this is only after a few bites. And that usually seems quite unfair to me. Really? Three bites? That's all??? Which brings me to the next thing. Eat slowly, and in small bites.  That way you don't feel cheated after a small amount of food. And start with a small amount of food. cut your regular portion size in half. most of the time you still won't really need even that much food, but if you do eat all of the smaller portion, it is still half of what you would normally put on a plate. at a restaurant, immediately cut food in half and get a to go box. out of sight, out of mouth. Try to think of food as gas for your body. You only need so much to get to the next stop. Fill the tank, and then leave the pump. You don't want to put in more than you need. 
I also am quite aware that I am a mourner of the food i don't get to eat. perhaps we will talk about that another time...this is getting long.
Off to the bridal fair, lot's of cake there. But honestly, since it is something sweet, i won't have a lot of trouble turning some down. However, if we were trying to pick potato chips or something salty, i might be in trouble. that too is a discussion for another day.

Friday, August 15, 2008

145

that's what i weigh. 145. i joked last night about trying to type such a big number. i even thought about typing it out...one hundred forty five. but that makes it look even bigger. i also thought about not admitting what my weight is, i would wait until i lost to my goal, and then announce "i lost 35 pounds" or whatever. and perhaps you are wishing i would have. but it seems more shocking to put my actual weight in writing, in green and white. and i really feel like i need a shock to get going on this. because there is a part of me that is saying, "really??? how have i gained this weight? how can i weigh more than i ever have, except when i was pregnant?" 
if i am honest with myself, i know exactly how. 12 years ago, i weighed 108. i kept that for almost 3 years...not a long time, i know. but when my grandpa passed away in 96, i did not want to stay with the principle of only eating until full. i missed him so much, there was so much good food around my grandma's house from friends at their church...and somehow i convinced myself that the food was a comfort, that stuffing my face made me miss my grandpa just a little less. that started a cycle of eating constantly, starting in the early evening and going until i went to bed. i am still fighting that cycle, because now it is done without even thinking of it. i just eat. now i don't always seek comfort from food, i just consume it without thinking. 
so, now here i am. i have until may 1 to reach my goal, cause i will need to be at my goal to  get a really cool dress for skyler's wedding. and i don't want to be unhealthy anymore. my hips hurt all the time, and i know that a big(no pun intended) part is my weight on them. and, mostly i am tired of complaining about being fat, but not doing anything to lose the weight. 
so here we go...next blog i will try to give a short overview about the principles i am using to lose the weight...not a diet, a change in lifestyle. so, so do-able. but only if i am consistent, and learn to lean on God, to seek comfort from Him, to be constantly aware of Him, and not use food as a substitute for what He can, and wants, to give me.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Just another day in paradise

so i was gonna get all mushy and post a video of a song i heard today: phil vassar's "just another day in paradise". but when i went to youtube---the embedding had been disabled. i hate that. oh well, catchy little country tune, not new, but it made me think of hillenblog. one line says "well, it's two hearts, one dream, wouldn't trade it for anything". i feel like that is us...and i really wouldn't trade it for anything. maybe it's coacher's blog about his wife, or planning out sky & chad's wedding, or the upcoming nuptials of mandy & bradley, or maybe realizing how fast the last 19 years have passed. whatever, it made me think that i really do like that guy.

another thing i like is all lower case. i am sure it is driving someone crazy out there, and it may not last long, but mandy and bradley's invitations are all lower case, and i like it.

i will be blogging more often, but you may not wanna tune in. I am gonna be losing some weight, hopefully, before sky's wedding, and i have decided to blog about it. maybe putting it all out there will inspire me to keep with it. it will not be pretty, but it will be honest. you've been warned.

barrett started high school today. i prayed for him all day. we start at 7:30 now, so up at 6 and out the door by 7:05. killer. but so far so good!! he gave me a hug a bit ago and said mom, high school is okay. so at least the first day went well, and we can look forward to a good year.

well, omelets for dinner, eating only til full, with good friends over to share. love it.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Oh my, oh my!

Yes, I know it's cheesy...but I have always loved this song...and I am so proud of Skyler, and so excited about her engagement to Chad. We really do feel blessed, and are looking forward to the next 10 months or so of planning!!  

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Thursday, July 10, 2008

I got nothin

Tonight's dinner: Mozzarella Chicken(Sunday Dinner vol. 1),spaghetti noodles, steam in bag vegetables(broccoli, cauliflower, carrots), salad(spinach, the spinach/strawberry salad dressing, and pears), and rolls(sister shubert's dinner rolls). Seemed to go over quite well with everyone.

I cut some lettuce out of the garden tonight. Too bad it was after dinner. 
We are watching Last Comic Standing. Way too long of a show. 
Barrett and Chad are going on a canoe trip with some of the guys. They leave tomorrow and get back Saturday. Sky is spending tomorrow night at her friends house. So it is almost like practice for empty nest syndrome. Except we are excited.

I really don't have anything to blog about...but i hate seeing the 5 weeks after my name. Now I will be before Skyler. Not that it's a competition. But I am ahead now.

Well, that's it. Nothing to speak of, but a blog none the less.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Those were the days

I found this while looking at pictures from 2003. Can you believe this is only 5 years ago? So cute then, so cute now....

Saturday, May 31, 2008

This is Barrett's favorite comic.

The reinactment part is kinda irritating at times, but if you will listen to the whole thing, he is very funny.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Feel free to add to the list...


S-smile, sarcastic, sensitive, smart, silly, sweet, sunshine, singer
K-kidder, kind, kettlecorn,
Y-young, yardage, yuletide
L-loyal, loving, little, likeable, lovely, 
E-enthusiastic, eloquent, edifying, entertaining
R-reader, righteous, real, 

It is hard to put you into words. You are everything I ever dreamed my daughter would be, yet so much more. You are secure in who you are, even when you are not. You are a trend setter, and WANT to be different, something I never wanted to be. You have gone from a baby who smiled all the time, could entertain yourself, and who loved music, to a beautiful young woman who still smiles most of the time:), can still be by yourself and not be lonely, who is the best singer I know, and it is not only me who feels that way.
I have always told you that we were not friends yet. That if we were friends, I was not being the parent I should be. That someday, when you were grown up, we would be friends. It is amazing to me that we are just about there. I see in you the friend I want to be, and look forward to being just that--friends. I will always be your mamma, and you know I love it when you call me that. You can always ask for advice, and for yet a little while, I will still be in charge. But now, the picture of us as friends is becoming clearer. I cherish you. I love you. Happy Graduation. Happy Growing Up. Happy looking forward. You are my gift. 

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Everything old is new again

Ryan B. is over hanging out with Barrett. This is the first time we've seen him since his family moved to San Diego last year. It's nice to sit and listen to them talking. Like they've never been apart, except Ryan's voice is deeper, and he is taller. Same easy banter, griping, and Ryan can still beat him in slugfest 2003.
I changed my post name to cin. This is what almost everyone calls me, even my dad! It's not that I am no longer hillenblogshappywife, i definitely am. No complaints with him, us, any of it. But it is just easier to write cin, or cindy. And unless I remember to sign in, it puts me as cindy anyway. So I just decided to change it.
Getting ready to go to a wedding rehearsal. I hear the auditorium looks amazing. Can't wait to see it. Some kids we have known for like seems forever are getting married. Wow, I am old.
Just a note to say, if you don't read Bybee's Blurbs, get to it. Probably everyone else does but I got caught up today, and that girl is hilarious. Plus I used to want to teach English(believe it or not), so it is fun to see the poems, and the topics her classes write about.
I emailed Becky today. I wonder when it will sink in that they are really in Italy. Despite the pictures, which are great, and the posts and emails, it still feels unreal. I guess this is good in some ways, and learning how it will feel when Min & Perry go to the Philippines.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Food for Thought

So tonight I grilled some steaks, made mashed potatoes, broccoli, shell macaroni(for Barrett, who does not enjoy the potatoes), and the Gorgonzola cream sauce that Brittany suggested several weeks ago to go on the steaks. And, even tho Hillenblog is sick in bed, and probably can't taste much, he loved the sauce! He only had 1/2 of a steak and a small spoon of potatoes, but he said we have to have the sauce again soon, when he feels like eating. It is wonderful! I was a bit concerned, because I am not a fan of the blue cheeses, but it is pretty mild, and really was wonderful.
I am still in process of trying the other ideas, I used most of hillen's first, since he is the main one I am trying to please, so now it is on to the other ideas. Thanks again to everyone who contributed.
And with THE RECIPE BOX full everyday, I should never run out of ideas!

Saturday, May 03, 2008

My New Look



This is Opus, the Penguin. If you are around my age or older, you may remember him from the funny papers. He and Bill the cat had many adventures, and even a series of cards at Hallmark. Always funny, and many years ago my dad made me this magnet for my frig. Barrett asked if he could redesign my blog, and I told him of course, my only request was it have a penguin and an umbrella. Good job Barrett! Opus is my favorite penguin in all of penguin land.
So in other news, Sky and Chad have gone to prom tonight. As you will see from Hillenblog, they both look great! Skyler looks so pretty, and it was so fun to see them head off to prom. Rachel and the kids and Chad's parents came out to see them off. And Missy was texting about pictures before they even got to the stop sign. I just can't believe it is here already...when did she get to be a beauty? When did he grow to be so tall? Wasn't it yesterday when they were small? When they were very small???
Now, with the house clean, mostly anyway, and pictures taken, dinner cooked, by Barrett, what a great kid, we are sitting to watch "Phantom of the Opera", one of my favorites. Hope you have had as great a day as we, blog ya later.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Thank goodness school is almost out! Skyler is of course graduating, her last day is the 14th of May. Barrett still has until the 29th of May. But we seem to be checking out already! I keep hitting the snooze button, sleeping too late, so then we have to hurry around. This morning, I for some reason was thinking it was still around 7:40 and that I had plenty of time to get the kids lunches done before 7:50, when they leave. Too bad, so sad it was really 7:48, and they were ready to head out the door. So with all four of us running around the kitchen we managed to get lunches together in under a minute. No one thought it too funny when I suggested we do this everyday, as many hands make light work!
Usually tho, the lunches are made, and the kids go off without a hitch. Until I walk into the kitchen to refill my coffee and see Barrett's lunch sitting on the butcher's block. Or he calls and says he has forgotten it again. So suffice it to say, I have dropped off lunch for Barrett at least 1/2 of the days we have gone to school in the last 2 weeks. Another day, he called because he had forgotten his chapstick. Which would have never been delivered by me, except he is on a medicine that dries out his skin, and his lips are very, very chapped and cracked. So it is not an option to not have it. Oh, another day he forgot his pill after breakfast, so I had to take that, because he has to keep to a consistent schedule with this medicine. Then yesterday he forgot his material and sewing "caddy" for home ec, and I took that to him.
All this to say, the wonderful ladies working in the office, Lori and Tammy, have seen me almost every day now for a couple of weeks. The day I brought the chapstick, I told them what it was so they wouldn't think "chapstick--how spoiled is this kid"! Tammy laughed when I told her that, and said no, I know that the medicine dries out the skin. Then yesterday, when I took in the sewing stuff, I said, "I don't know what you all will do without me next year!" Tammy laughed again and said "you're a good mom" to which I replied, "I may just have a spoiled kid!" Then she and Lori both said "no, you are a good mom."
You know, for some reason that made me feel good. I know a lot of people would not or could not take stuff their kid has forgotten, maybe they are already at work, or whatever. But it really doesn't make me go out of my way, and lots of times it is forgotten because of the mad rush out the door that I reap for a few more minutes of sleep. Anyway, I am ready for school to be out. At least then for a few months, the mad dash will be mine only, and I can tell myself that I will get up earlier next year. Or Barrett will make his own lunch!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Rain, Rain, Go Away

The little boy next door is standing inside his garage. He keeps sticking his arm out to see if it is still raining. And since it is, he scuffs the toe of his shoe against the floor. So cute. He ventures out every once in a while to see how heavy the rain is, and turns to the south, then to the north and shakes his head. He is in 1st grade I think, and is a very nice boy. Loves to play football with his friends and his dad, and sometimes he and his dad play basketball before the school bus comes. We don't talk a whole lot, but he always says hi back when I say it first, so that is something, I guess!

Barrett is at a track meet, and I keep hoping he'll call because he is finished or they have called it for rain...but I don't know if it is thundering there, or raining for that matter.
He just sent me a text, they have sent them inside, so it must be doing something. Sadly, I will be thrilled when track is finished.

Today is Morgan Wilson's birthday, also Holly Tucker. Happy Birthday Girls! It is also Earth Day, which drives me crazy in some ways, but Holly has really helped me see that it is okay to take care of God's creation, without putting it above Him.

It was recently brought to my attention that I missed blogging about every birthday and anniversary in my family in March. This includes my mom's birthday, my parents 49th anniversary, my brother's birthday, and my sister's birthday. I am so sorry. I have a great family and didn't mean to slight anyone.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM, DENNIS AND MINDY!!!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!
Here's a little something from 49 years ago.


Saturday, April 12, 2008
















I started a new bible study this morning..."Stepping up...." by Beth Moore. I won't get to see the DVD until later next week, but I couldn't wait to begin. The study will focus on Psalms 120-134, the Psalms of Ascent. This first day is more of an overview of the book as a whole, the dividing of the Psalms into 5 "books", getting some background on the book itself.
I love Beth Moore studies, and I am always excited to begin a new one. But yesterday, looking for this one at CPO, I realized there are several I have not done, and more that I began and did not finish. So my prayer is that I would fall so in love with the psalms and with THE WORD that I will not be able to stop wanting to be in the Word. I already love the book of Psalms, is there any emotion not found there? I don't think so. So alreadyI am encouraged that there is nothing I go thru that He does not know about. I know this already, but need constant reminding that God knows my every emotion, joy, sorrow, trust, fear, doubt and praise. Nothing is surprising to Him, and each day I awake, He is right there waiting for me to seek Him. Beth encourages us to fall on our face before Him each day, to humble ourselves before Him not only figuratively, but literally as well. There is a freedom that is found in that act of humility that I don't think can be described unless you do it yourself. As she says, if physically you can't lay on the floor and get back up, you can bow your head. It is the humbling of our hearts that He can use to lift us up. How wonderful is it that we are able to come directly before Him, that we do not have to fear Him turning us away. Thank You God, for loving me when I feel so unlovable.
"I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High." Psalm 9:1-2.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Guatemala






So Hillenblog is safely in Guatemala. If you haven't already, check out his blog...pictures and captions already! This has already been the longest day...I hate it when he is gone. But I am so excited for him to go on this trip. I asked for lots of pictures of the babies and children. He has had the best guacamole ever(in mine & CT's opinion anyway) already, and been on the scary, scary roads during rain. There is nothing like this place...I am sure no matter how many trips I am blessed enough to go on, Guatemala will always hold a special place in my heart. Thanks again to all of you who made that trip possible for me and Skyler. We will be eternally grateful.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008














I need your help blogging world!I am so tired of the same menu items and just can't come up with anything different! So I am asking you for ideas for meals. Give me YOUR family's favorites, and we will see if they become ours! We could even make it a contest...which will my family like best.
Feel free to provide recipes, since I may not have them....
Thanks everyone...grocery day is Friday, so quick quick, on your toes!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Galoshes

I bought a pair of galoshes today. Not to match Princess Diana's, but to keep my feet dry and warm while outside fixing signs today. Not a perfect match, but just as ugly. And my feet were great all day. The best part is that someone asked me if I bought them at Dillards! What a scream.

engagement # 40

Sunday, March 16, 2008



I just deleted a really long post about today. I was trying to tell about Daisy being born this morning, and how cool it was to be there, waiting by the bedroom door(home birth) and being able to hear Rachel pushing, and to feel myself begin to breath with her, and laughing with Jen, Sky and Mandy cause we all seemed to be doing it.And hearing Rachel exclaim "it's a girl!" and cheering with everyone. To wait, not breathing ourselves, to hear Daisy's first cry and nearly crying ourselves when we did. And then laughing again when she really let go. And getting to see her for the first time,and being able to thank God for a safe delivery for Rachel and Daisy.
Well, there isn't any way to describe it. Anyone who has waited right outside the door knows what I mean. Or when you hear the cry. Or when you get word in the waiting room that the baby is here, and everyone is okay. To call it anything less than a miracle is unthinkable to me.

So thanks Rachel,Matt, and Daisy for letting my family share this day with you. It is very personal, and even tho we are not "family" you let us experience this most incredible of days with you. I have experienced it before with family, but not from this close up. Amazing!

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

As time goes by...

I was telling someone this weekend "The Story of Mark & Cin", how we met when we were kids, grew up together, never dated til after high school, and ended up getting married. It made me realize yet again how blessed I am to call Mark Hillenburg my husband. Which would not be possible were it not for his wonderful parents, George and Linda, one of whom has a birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDA!!! I love you, and am so grateful that the Lord has blessed me with a mom in law like you!

We kept the Liles kids overnight Sunday(kent & ethan), and then Monday(k, e and nat) until Jon and Becky got home Monday night. They are hilarious. Kent and Ethan won the dance off at the JV Superbowl party,
Ethan's new motto is "The ladies love a winner", and all three are good at the Wii.
They paid us the highest compliment by telling me they had fun staying with us. We had fun too!


My grandma Hazel passed away on the 29th. She was 91. We got to see her at Christmas, she was very lively and funny. She has always been very ornery(which I mean in the best way anonymous) and was certainly that when she was here. I said at her service that she made the best fried potatoes you've ever eaten, the best chicken and dumplins, and the sweetest tea you will ever drink. She loved my grandpa Basil more than anything, and I am so happy she is seeing him again. They have left a very sad, but happy, family here. I can't wait to see them again. Sometimes heaven seems so close, and yet so very far away.



I don't have anything else to say, and i have three baskets of laundry to fold.