Weight Watchers-month one

I have been on WW for a month now and I am down 13.6 pounds. I have along way to go but I am taking it one pound at a time.

I have not had pop in about 40 days. I only drink water and occasionally I'll treat my self to a glass of tea.

I am down 2 pant sizes and looking forward to dusting off my old "skinny" clothes from 2006.

I am eating venison now because its leaner and only 1 point per ounce and its GOOOOOD!!

I exercise just about everyday on the Wii- fit and the Wii personal trainer video.

I park at the end of store parking lots and walk to the door.

I shovel the snow instead of snow blowing and even did my Dad's.

I realized that I AM WORTH IT!

I look forward to what I will weigh at the end of this month and am excited to do a 1/2 marathon with K. even if I walk it!

Off and Running!!!

Well, so far things are looking pretty good for me as far as eating right and exercising. I made it to the gym today after a two month absence. I fought the urge to stay home and rest but I figured I had all day to do that. I stopped going to the gym when I hurt my elbow so when I went today there was still some pain but I kept at it. Maybe that's what it needs to get to 100% again.

I have been Wii-fitting since Christmas day and it is awesome! I got the Wii fit fitness coach today and I am excited to try it out tomorrow. My gaol is to do some exercising everyday except Sunday.

I am also planning on doing a 1/2 marathon in April with my friend. She has got into awesome shape and has been very inspiring to me, so as she runs in the 1/2 marathon I will be walking it, unless I can get this body to run by then. I am very focused and committed to get into shape.

I have another friend who invited me along to mall walk in the morning. So I may work that into my day and walk there until it is time to get outside. I really enjoy walking and that is really the best exercise to do because anybody can do it and it's not hard to get started.

So, that's it for now. Have a good week.

Exercise, Eat right, Excercise, Eat right

Okay, I'm not into resolutions anymore because they really don't work, so I'm not even going to go there. But, I am going to follow through with my plans to exercise and eat right. I need to make better choices if I am going to lead a better life for myself and my family.

From the time I was 16 years old, I have struggled with my weight. It has wore me down, ruined my self image, cause several health problems, ie:high blood pressure, caused me MANY opportunities to get down and play with my children, and caused me to withdrawal from my husband because of embarrassment. I no longer WANT or DESIRE to live that way any longer. This is not a resolution BUT A COMMITMENT!!!!

I will be the big 4-0 in 2010 and I commit to be fit and fine by 40. It will take hard work, sacrifice, determination, motivation, and Jesus Christ. I cannot do any of this in my own strength but if I put Christ first, He will give me all that I need to succeed. I have wasted alot in my almost 40 years of life and I will not make that mistake again. My husband, children, and family deserve more than that. They need me to be my best so I can be there for them. My kids need me to be an example to them, so that they in turn can be happy, HEALTHY, adults. I need to do this for me. I did it once, I can do it again:)

Enough said!

Behind in blogging

I have been lazy in updating my blog. My computer was down for a week and then it just got busy around here before CHRISTmas. Now that CHRISTmas is over I can try and get back on track for those that actually read this thing.

In the beginning of November, my friend Susie, taught a sewing class and I was her only student this time around. I figured it was about time that I learned to sew. So, I bought a sewing machine and off I went. We made an apron. It was fun even though I had no idea what I was doing. I hate to see what it would have looked like if Susie was not my teacher! Anyway, we finished my apron and when I got home and showed it to my girls, they got excited and said they wanted me to make them one! Well, I'm not a pro yet so I was a little hesitant but I decided to give it a shot. they were going to be making some cookies for missions work so I needed to get them done before the first weekend in December. I went to Joanns and got them material that they liked and began my masterpieces!

Well, you all know what happened next! Yes, I called Susie and she said come on over and we worked on them together and got them done a day before they were needed. I surprised them the next morning.






So, Thank -you again, Susie! You have been a blessing. I did make another one for my Neice, Emily for CHRISTmas but she doesn't know it yet. I only called Susie once, and I did a pretty good job on it, considering it's still together!

THANKSGIVING 2008

For Thanksgiving this year, we went to Tennessee to see Ken, Robin, and the kids. We miss them so much and it was just great to go down and spend four days with them. We had a BLAST!!! It was so quiet in the country, (except for the kids and the dogs)Their house is so nice and comfortable and big!



The kids have grown so much! All the kids got along so well and we all played games and just had a wonderful time that when it came time to head home, nobody wanted to go. We look forward to seeing them at Christmas time and in the summer when we travel back down on our way to North Carolina.

When we left TN, we headed over to Andy and Lisa's house for a visit. Their house is beautiful! It was so good to see them and actually sit down and have real conversations without the rush. We were only going to stay for an hour and it ended up being 3! The boys are so big and handsome:) We had a wonderful visit with them and again it was hard to say good-bye!

Will is missing in this picture because he went to a friends house

12 years ago...today

I gave birth to my first and only son, Matthew Levi!






It's so hard to believe that he is 12 years old. It seems like yesterday that I brought him home from the hospital and wondered if I knew what I was doing. God had given Marvin and I a huge responsibility in the caring of this precious gift.

Overall, I think we are doing a good job. Matthew has been going to church since he was 5 days old and he was saved and baptized and he is now serving in the youth group. He is in 7th grade and again is on the honor roll. We are very proud to call him our Son and we cherish every day with him.

Matthew, have a wonderful day and know how much we love you and are honored to be your parents. You have given us a lot of joy and laughter over these 12 years of your life and we are blessed to have you as our Son. Keep up the good work in school and know how proud we are of you! You are the best Son we could have every asked for. We love you very much.

Love,
Mom and Dad

FALL FUN

The girls were outside playing in the leaves and they took these pictures. What fun!

It's a bird...It's a plane....

No, it's Matthew at "The Jumps" in AP.

Just about everyday, Matthew and his buddies go behind the high school and ride their bikes and do tricks and such. I'm glad I'm not there to watch! Pretty scary to a mom sometimes!

UPDATES ON EVERYTHING

Okay, time to get back on track with some updates of things that have gone on lately. First up, At the end of September, my Sister-in-law, Julie, participated in the breast cancer 3 day. In three days, she walked sixty miles and helped raise millions for breast cancer. She walked in memory of my Grandmother and her Grandmother. It was so cool to see her accomplish something she worked very hard at. We were so proud of her!



On October 4th, I went to my best friend's wedding but I don't have the pics yet so I'll write about that later:)

Today, I took the second kid to get braces. Lyndsey got her top braces today and she really looks cute. I can't wait to see the changes in her teeth. After she is done, it's Lauren's turn:)

PRAYER

I have been reading a blog for several months about a mother who is going to have her fourth baby tomorrow. This mother was told early on that her baby may not live long after he is born for various reasons. Well, she is going to have him tomorrow and is asking for lots of prayer for the life of her baby boy that they have named Stellan. Please pray for her and her family.

If you want to read her awesome blog, it's listed on the right "my charming kids" She is amazing and has beautiful children.

13 Years

This is what we looked like in 1993.

Today is my 13th wedding anniversary and I wanted to take a few minutes and write about the man in my life.

On this date, 13 years ago, I walked down the isle and into the waiting arms of my dear husband. During those 13 years we have had our ups and downs. Yet, he has always stood by my side as I have stood by his. He has given me four beautiful children, a nice home, and worked hard enough that I am able to stay home and be here when the kids leave for school and when they come home.

He has been a huge support to me during my MANY trips to the hospital for various reasons, when I felt like my world was falling apart, when my mom and sister needed a place to live he was willing to let them stay here as long as they needed to. He has NEVER ONCE made me feel like I wasn't special to him. I KNOW that he loves me like Christ loves the church. He ALWAYS puts my needs above his own and that I come second after God. He has shown me more love than I sometimes think I'm worth.

I always find myself wondering how I got so lucky to have a man like him. I am blessed beyond measure when it comes to my husband. I sometimes take him for granted but I know no matter what I do in our marriage, I know that he will always be with me and that we will grow old together.

Marvin, I love you so much and I will always remember what you have done for me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and supporting me in everything I do. Thank you for your shoulder that I have shed alot of tears on and thank you for providing for me and our children and never asking for anything in return. I am so blessed because of you and I look forward to many more years together and making more memories along the way. Thank you for being a man of integrity and a man of God. Thank you for being a wonderful father to our children, they love you so much. You are the best Dad to them and I know how much you mean to them. Thank you for being a Godly example to Matthew especially, so he will know how to be a Godly husband one day. Happy anniversary honey, I love you very much.

My how we've changed! 2008 at Kensington Metro Park

Dinner

Okay, for those of you that know me, you probably know that I AM NOT A COOK! I cook the basic meals for my family to survive and that's about it. I am a very picky eater so If I don't like it, I won't cook it! Marvin, on the other hand, likes just about everything! So, last week, I asked him if I was to cook something that he really likes/wanted what would it be?

Chicken and Dumplings!

I KNEW he was going to say that! So, because I love my husband, I went out on a limb and got together with a friend of mine to make this meal. I got all the necessary ingredients and headed over to Marcia's house and got down to business. We made chicken and dumplings and with the extra chicken, she showed me how to make chicken soup. I had alot of fun with her and I was so excited to show Marvin my masterpiece.

Now, I am also not big on TRYING NEW THINGS!! But, because we make our kids try things, I had to try it too! The kids were starving and they got tired of waiting for Daddy to get home from work,so we sat down and tried chicken and dumplings for the first time EVER!!!

Let's just say everyone loved the ....CHICKEN! I am not so sure if I liked it or not. Ashlee loved it of course but the rest of us only liked the chicken. So after we were done, Marvin came home and I served it to him with excitement. He loved it! He said it tasted like his Mom's!


It must have been good because he had a few helpings and it's all gone! I'm not sure when/if I'll ever make it again but he said he was happy that I tried it and that I would make something special just for him.

Buster wanted/liked it too!

Heaven Bound!!!

As of Thursday evening, my whole household is heaven bound! I shared the gospel with Lauren and Lyndsey and they both prayed to receive Christ and they want to be baptized! They have been asking alot of questions lately about baptism so we talked about Jesus first and why He loves them and died for them. They listened as a read them a booklet called "Who is your King?" It is geared for kids and their level of understanding. THey asked questions and were really interested. After they prayed in their own words, you could see the transformation in their faces. They were excited! And so was I. God is GOOD!

September 11, 2001

Seven years ago today , I was at the doctor's office getting a stress test and blood draws. I needed to have a test then leave for a bit and come back for more blood work. It was during the time that I left, that I first heard about the terrorist attacks. I was listening to the news on the radio. I was horrified!! I called my dad and asked him if he was watching TV. He said no, so I told him to turn it on because our country was under attack!

I tried to compose myself as I went back to the doctor's office. At the office, no one was really saying anything about it. In the waiting room, they had a TV on and that's when it REALLY hit me what was going on. There's a big difference when you hear it on the radio verses seeing it on TV. It was horrible. I cried all the way home. When I got home, Marvin had the TV on, and they kept showing it over and over. The school called and canceled afternoon kindergarten for Matthew. My neighbors were outside talking and crying and just in total shock.

Our church called an emergency prayer meeting, so we gathered everyone up and went to church. There was comfort there. Our church was able to hook up to the TV and project everything on the big screen for us to watch when the President came on. He was so strong, yet I felt his sadness too!

American flags went up EVERYWHERE! As I drove down my street today, there was hardly any! That is really sad to me. I have my flag proudly waving 24/7. I love my flag and what it stands for. We need to keep them up all the time not when tragedy strikes.

The one thing I always think about is the firemen. What heroes they are day in and day out. I personally know several firemen and I always think highly of them even before 911. So many died that day. They ran into the towers while everyone else was running out! That in itself is heroic! Thank you God, for people willing to die to save someone else.

What were you doing 7 years ago today?