A-Weigh We Go

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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Winter Wonderland NSVs

First and foremost, what a glorious celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ! CHRISTmas Eve services at church were fantastic (seriously....you want to hear amazing teaching on the Holy Spirit?  Click the link to watch!  Christmas Eve Service); our family get together at my parents' with the boys reading the Christmas Story from the Bible was extra special; all my kids were in town and a Saudi student joined in the celebration as well.  CHRISTmas day was spent relaxing and then visiting my daughter, son-in-law and g-baby for Chinese food for dinner.  Yes, it was a glorious celebration indeed!

This year I had the added bonus of getting to spend time in Michigan with my in-laws. I know, I know...most people are like...what..you want to spend time with your in-laws without your husband?!? (CME had to work.) But seriously...I love my mother-in-law!  And all our Michigan family!  What was even better was the fact that there was a beautiful blanket of snow covering the ground! Have I ever mentioned how much I enjoy snow?  No?  Well, let's just say that it is right up there with coffee and PB2!  :)  I truly felt like I was in a Winter Wonderland!

And the NSVs that went with it?  Well, for starters?  I can't remember the last time I actually got out and played in the snow.  Not only did I make a snow angel this year, I actually ran a (very) few times up and down the (slight) hill in my in-laws' yard.  AND I wrestled with the boys...finally taking down my 14-year-old.  So he was already on his knees from taking down his brother...I still finished the job!  NSVs all around!

On top of that, I did something I haven't done since I was a teenager... I went ice skating!!!  Was I graceful?  No.  I could blame the hockey skates that had shoe laces too short to even begin to tie, but I'll not do that.  I'll say it's for a lack of skating in over 30 years!  Oh. My. Gosh!  It was so fun!  Bonus...it was outside! In past, I not only would have worried about falling, but I would have worried about the possible humiliation of trying to get back up after falling. Was I afraid of falling? Yes. Did I? No! Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!  Another NSV!!   Plus, we visited the Grand Rapids Public Museum (which was totally decked out for Christmas!) where I rode a carousel; walked up 3 flights of stairs without being out of breath; yeah...the whole day was full of NSVs!

Another NSV happened when I met up with CME's Aunt, Uncle, Cousin and his family. Before having dinner at The Corner Bar, we stopped at a The Rockford Footwear Depot.  I didn't need shoes, but they also had 30% off all their apparel. I found the cutest Merrell sweater dress that was already on sale.  I got a $90 dress for $20!!! Size aside (Medium)...seriously, that's an NSV...being able to walk into a store and buy something off the rack!

But the very best part of the trip was the time I got to spend with the family. My boys...my mother-in-law...and every member of CME's family in MI.  The only way this trip could have been better is if CME had been with me.  It was a GREAT time. The boys thanked me repeatedly and they even put up with my silliness.  Oh how blessed I truly am!

So that's how my time has been spent recently.  Two years ago (12/28/11) I began this blog.  My life has changed so much in these two years!!! Tomorrow, the boys and I are running in a New Year's Day 5K...expect a blog post after that too!

Until that time, here's a glimpse of my life recently... I thank God for this life He's blessed me with and pray that I can use it to bring Him the glory He deserves!


Love this man so very much!  My best friend and support!
All 4 of my kiddos! <3
Youngest Daughter!
First Born!!!
My Momma!
CME, my kiddos and g-baby!
My kiddos...and my Saudi "son"
Coffee anyone?
Love my boys!!
I think I've about got him...or vice versa??
I really did get him down...before they piled on their Mom!
Ice Skating with my sister-in-law and nieces!
Busha and her Grandkids
Take 2
Great time with my sons!
Ha ha ha!
My youngest...who knows WHAT he's telling his Busha!?!
Oldest son and my nieces on the carousel.
Busha and my youngest.



Selfie with Santa!

Picture for his daddy...the geography major!  Maps are cool!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

You are Loved

I've been trying to figure out what to post for such a joyous occasion.  I don't think I've ever concealed the fact that I am a follower of Jesus and it's through His strength I've been able to walk this weightloss journey.  But that is just a minuscule fact in comparison to the true celebration of who He is.

Last night, as I was sitting in a quiet house only lit by the lights on our Christmas tree, I was thinking about how much God loves us.  How He longs for us to know Him intimately and to spend eternity with Him.  But our God is a holy God and cannot be with unholy people.  So what did He do to solve this issue?  He sent Jesus!  Jesus was perfect.  He never sinned and He was sent to be the holy bridge between man and God.  What kind of love is that?!  That is the most beautiful love ever possible.  Jesus came to sanctify us and to reunite us with God for all eternity!  He loves us that much!!!  That is the biggest reason to celebrate...especially this season! 

The prophet Isaiah foretold of this event.  In Isaiah 9:6, he said, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."  Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, God was planning for us...for you and for me...to be part of his family.  Yes, this is the true celebration.  The celebration of the Lord, Jesus Christ!  

I'm thankful today that God loves us so much; thankful that He sent His Son to this world; that we may be made pure through His unselfish sacrifice.  

May you enjoy the celebration of the King of kings, and Lord of lords during this CHRISTmas season!



PS - You're invited to the celebration too!  Click here for your invitation:  You're Invited

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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Stop Being a Bully

I ran across this "commercial" earlier today totally by accident; though I don't believe in coincidences.  LCSW would refer to this kind of thing as "stinkin' thinkin'" but Kellogg's just puts it out there with the term "fat talk." 93% of women fat talk.  93%!  That's a staggering statistic!  

One line REALLY resonated with me and it was something like this, "I didn't realize how bad it was; it's like you're bullying yourself."  You are!  Now stop it!  You'd never say that to someone else! 

No matter where you are in your journey - or even if you're not on a weight loss journey - I pray that everyone (female OR male) who watches this video sees how damaging words can be... especially when we say them to ourselves.  Stop being a bully!!  Shut down fat talk!  You are fearfully and wonderfully made! NEVER forget that!


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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Saturday, December 14, 2013

I Love Those J.I.N.G.L.E. Bells

Is that little tune stuck in your head now?  I guess that's better than what's been stuck in my head all day! Picture the tune of "America" from West Side Story, but change the words, to "Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jin-gle. Bell. Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jin-gle. Bell"  over and over again! Yeah, that's what I was singing and humming and making the bells on my shoes dance to! CME even said, "Really dear?  West Side Story?" and then later said, "I wish I could have videoed that!"  LoL

Anyway, for whatever reason, I was really happy to be up and getting ready for the Jingle Bell Run 5K this morning.  Maybe it was the festive CHRISTmas socks I picked up at Target last night, or maybe it was that both my first born and my baby were both joining me for this race. It definitely wasn't the 37 degree rainy weather, that's for sure! No matter the reason, I truly was excited for today.  

The crowd wasn't as large as last year...I'm sure the weather had a lot to do with it, but I'm truly glad we participated.  I saw a couple of the kids there who are stricken with this horrible disease.  It's hard, you know.  To look at these kids and not "see" anything wrong with them, but know that every single morning is a struggle to get out of bed for these young ones... literally...they need assistance to get out of bed... to warm up their joints and become mobile.  That not a day goes by that they're not in pain of some sort. So the rain and cold weather didn't bother me at all; my life is good!  

Due to the weather we've had the past week, they did have to re-route part of the race which in turn shortened it by 1/2 mile.  Not complaining about that either.  Just had to go back to see what my pace time was from the last two races to get a good comparison.  Know what?  It was awesome!  Not meaning to brag, but my pace was my fastest yet...take a look for yourself!

Toulouse-Lautrekkin' (Evansville Museum 5K) - pace: 13:59

Turkey Day 5K - pace: 14:40
Jingle Bell Run - pace: 11:35!!!

Yeah, I'm stoked about that!!  I'm also proud of my daughter and son who joined in on the fun.  My son hasn't run since last Jingle Bell Run - and I think he could tell.  I'm hoping this is the start of some good healthy family activities...now to get CME and our oldest son to run these too... Hmmm...

Early morning!

Aren't my socks cute?!

With "Biggest" and "Littlest" as they call each other.


Finish Line!!!

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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Friday, December 6, 2013

Survival Mode

Survival is a really strong word, but when you're on this journey, it truly feels like were in survival mode some days.

Thanksgiving...CHRISTmas...all the office carry-ins.  It really can be a struggle if you're not prepared.  Take for instance our office carry-in on Tuesday.  There are nine of us in our area.  When the sign-up sheet got posted, I watched as people were signing up for what they were bringing.  Our boss was going to treat us all to pizza for lunch.  I knew without a doubt...that if I didn't plan, I would fall prey to trying little bits of this or that.  So what did I bring?  A veggie tray.  Seems like a no-brainer, right?  But really I had to plan, and that's okay.  Everything else was so unhealthy!  Our "banquet" choices:  Veggies with a ranch dip; donuts, bagels and cream cheese, potato chips with dips, cheeseball and crackers, a "dessert platter" that was filled with: cannoli, cheesecake, petite cakes, chocolate covered strawberries, coconut macaroons, raspberry filled cake, flans, three different types of fudge... yeah, sugar coma waiting to happen! (Or dumping syndrome for someone like me!)

So what did I eat on Tuesday?  Breakfast - part of an English muffin there at home.  Snack (at my scheduled snack time so not to "graze" all day) - veggies with a spoonful of the ranch dip that came with it.  Lunch - 4 squares of sausage/pepperoni pizza (well, the toppings off of it.  I still don't eat the crust) with carrots and grape tomatoes.  I did have one coconut macaroon from the "sweets" tray.  And honestly, I planned it when I saw the selection.  I didn't just walk by and grab it.  That's something different for me.  My afternoon snack - grape tomatoes and carrots.  I did eye another macaroon, but chose not to have it. (does that count as an NSV??)

The thing is this:  Gastric Bypass Surgery has been a GREAT tool for me and a blessing for my life.  Every single day I must make good choices.  I must plan in advance.  I must modify recipes to make them healthier.  And yes, I must walk away at times.  All of that is key to long-term success.  That's part of the survival - choices to enhance LONG TERM success.


(Here's another Sesame Street reference for you all!)



One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn't belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?






This is the "evil" one for sure!!!!!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14