I did it!!!!

I COMPLETED the 1/2 marathon!!!! It took me 4 hrs. and 8 mins to cross the finish line with my sister in law, Julie. We got to the starting line at 6:30 am. I was excited and nervous. I let Satan keep telling me that I would never make it and that I never complete something i set out to do, that I'm always a quitter! But I showed him! I can do things that I put my mind to. I prayed that God would guide me and push me and tell me that I could do it and by golly I did it!

I had a wonderful time with Julie. We walked and talked and shared snacks and drank water and kept going. When it started to get a little rough we played the alphabet game. We started with "a' and had to come up with a city with that letter. It was fun and kept us busy.

I have a picture that they took during the race but without a computer I can't post it:( I had a blast and will one day do it again.

Ashlee and I are registered for a 5k in May for the Alzheimer's Association. I am not soliciting donations for that because of the 3 day, but Ashlee is. She is really excited about it as am I. It will be at Kensington Metropark, one of our favorite places. We will be walking it in honor of my in-laws, James and Betty Metcalf, who had Alz. I know that they would be so proud of Ashlee.

I am training now for the breast cancer 3 day. I am at 38% in donations and have peace that I will get the $2300 I need to participate. I am really excited to be a part of something I care about. It is a big challenge to walk 20 miles a day for 3 days. I know now that I have it in me to be a success.

Please pray for my friend, Julie Scheving. She suffered a stroke this past week and is in the hospital. She is one of the most Godliest people I know. I know that my God can heal her and that He is able to do so if it is His will. I pray that He does.

Have a great week!

The Breast Cancer 3 Day

I will be walking in the breast cancer 3 day this year for the first time. This is a BIG step for me and I am more than ready for the challenge. The 3 day is an amazing statement to end breast cancer for everyone. I will be walking 60 miles in three days to put an end to this dreaded disease. Breast cancer affects me personally because I lost my Grandmother to breast cancer in 1989.
She was taken from my family way too soon! The 3day takes place in August, which will be the 20th anniversary of her passing. What an honor to do this in her memory.

Every monetary donation made will help try and find a cure for this disease. I want a cure to be found so my children will not have to worry about it. You can click on the widget to go directly to my personal page and make your donation today. I emailed 86 people. If those 86 people donated $24 I will reach my goal!!! I am counting on my family and friends to help me reach AND PASS this goal.

Thank you so much!

In other news, the 1/2 marathon is 10 days away! OMG!!! I am excited, yet nervous. When I'm walking, I will be thinking of the 3day and my grandmother and my friend, Linda Mathis. Say a prayer for me!!!

Well, that's it for now. Have a great weekend!

One month away!

The 1/2 marathon is one month away and I'm getting nervous! 13miles is along walk and I'm not quite there yet. The farthest I've walked at once is 5 miles and that wore me out! I'm going to walk again on Saturday for as long as I can. I'm going to give it all I got and just pray I cross the finish line in one piece!

I'm also inspired to walk in the breast cancer 3day in august. I will be walking in memory of my dear, sweet grandmother who passed away from breast cancer in August of 1989. As I type this I just realized it will be 20 years that she has been in heaven. What I tribute I could give her! I am also walking in honor of Linda Mathis, a survivor. So, soon everyone I know will be getting a personal letter from me for their support. I have to raise $2,300.00 on my own before I can participate in the walk. I know God will bless me in this endeavour.

I am still without a computer. I'm hoping to get one by the end of the month. It's hard to do everything on my iPod. Starting this weekend, Marvin and I will be doing the financial peace university coarse by Dave Ramsey to get out of debt. I am really excited to get going on this. We have already started and we are blessed how God is guiding us! With His help we can do this!

Well, that's all for now. Enjoy the weekend!!

The latest

Well, the sickness seems to be over for now. Lauren was sick all weekend and Monday,and Matthew had a fever on Monday. I was still able to get some workouts in even though I wasn't feeling all that well either.

I took Ashlee to the doctor yesterday and her wrist is not yet completely healed. She got a new blue cast for two more weeks. She was not happy. She misses swimming.

My weight loss has slowed a bit but it hasn't deterred me from still working hard. I stayed the same last week so I hope to lose good this week. I'm almost at my 10% goal.

The twins were baptized the Sunday before last. I was so happy that my pictures turned out this time but I can't post them because I'm still without a computer. This weekend I'm hoping to talk marvin into getting a new one.

That's it for now. Enjoy the next few warm days we have coming.

The Best Day

Today, Lauren and Lyndsey were baptized. It was awesome to see and to know that all four of my children are saved and their names are written in the Book. I have pictures of the event, but my computer is broke so I can't post them yet. I am writing this post on my iPod touch.

As of Jan. 30th I have lost 20 pounds! I was so happy that I made my goal to lose 3pounds last week. I still have a long way to go but it looks like I may get there if I keep working hard.

Last Saturday, Marvin took the kids sledding and Ashlee came back saying she fell and hurt her wrist. It didn't look bad so I just told her it was probably spraigned and she would be okay. On Monday, the school called and said her wrist looked a little swollen. I made her an appointment and found out it was fractured:(. She is now sporting a hot pink cast. She was excited at first but now she wants it off so she can swim. She goes back to the dr. on the 9th.

Those are the latest updates. If and when my of is fixed, I'll post some pictures of the best day!

A little of everything..

I have been trying to get myself to blog more but I just can't seem to get it together lately. I'm tired and sore just about everyday, so I don't do too much in the afternoon but be lazy!

I have a schedule every morning that I try to do and this is the first week that I actually did it. After I drop the girls off at 8:30, I head to the gym. I do 20-30 minutes on the treadmill, do the fitzone circuit, do another few minutes on the tread or the elliptical...(that machine KICKS MY BUTT!!!) When I get home I don't even take my coat off, I get some dog doodoo bags and the leash and Buster goes crazy! He knows already that when I come home it's time to go for a walk. We walk around the block but today we went 2 blocks. He loves it! I did that schedule all week except tomorrow because I don't work out because I go to weigh -in and I don't want to get all sweaty and the kids have a half day. I'll do Wii fit at home after we get back.

When I went to the gym this morning, I got measured again. I have lost a total of 10 inches! I was so surprised. The biggest loss was in my hips! I was really excited about that.

It is so exciting to see several of my friends getting in shape! They all are doing a fantastic job and I am so proud of them!! It is also exciting to have everyone encouraging each other and being a great support system. My biggest inspiration comes from Karina. She is doing awesome and I am extremely proud of her! She encouraged me to do a 1/2 marathon in April with her and I am bound and determined to do it with her. Thanks K for your prompting and encouragement.

My other friend, Jennifer, is also doing an amazing job and I am really, really, proud of her. She is focused and is a exercise machine, doing Richard Simmons too!
She is also a good motivator and encourager. Keep up the great work Jennifer, your doing awesome!

Well, I guess that's it for now. Have a great weekend and stay warm:)

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:)