Life is good...

What a difference a day makes!  Today was a great day.  My boss, Wendy, from Longview was in my office today and it was great to brainstorm with her and just have someone to bounce ideas off of.  Still concerned and curious about what the next few months are going to be like; but...  it will be what it will be!

Enough of that! 

I made the decision to not go to the gym tonight, as Logan has been up there every night with me this week and I wanted to do something with just him tonight.  We planned to have dinner as a family and then Todd would be off to bowling and Logan and I would pick up Nawna and head to What's Up.  I have a funny to tell you about my Lolo.  Todd, Logan and I were at dinner, I ordered my normal fajitas, with corn tortillas.  Lolo ordered cheese nachos.  The moment our waitress put the nachos in front of Logan I thought to myself...  "I WANT ONE"  -- they looked sooooooooooooooooo good.  Now, I have not had a nacho NOR CHIP in over a month!    I ask Logan if I could have one, he gave me 1/2 of one.  No big deal -- or so I thought!   Twenty minutes into dinner Logan realizes I that I had really eaten a nacho and he tells me, "I am telling Stephanie (my trainer) that you ate a nacho and you just gained weight"  I'm sure the moment he sees Stephanie he will tell her...  In his eyes, I had cheated!  I guess I did, a little!  This was so funny and was just proof that he watches everything I do!  I am sure that he and Stephanie will have a conversation tomorrow morning as soon as he sees her! 

We had so much fun at What's Up.  We are so lucky to have a safe, family oriented place to go that is close to home. Logan and Nawna were so funny playing air hockey - I have yet to decide who was the funniest. 

I am ready for bed as tomorrow is going to be a GREAT day.   Before going to Palestine, I'm meeting Stephanie for a 4 week follow-up.  She will be doing all of my measurements again - I'm looking forward to seeing the progress.  However, as happy as I am about meeting with her -- I'm over the moon about seeing my little Aydin Grace tomorrow.  I know that she has changed so much.   From what I hear, she is already a Daddy's girl!  It is going to be great to be with them tomorrow. We are going to celebrate our Thanksgiving tomorrow as we will not be able to all be together on Thursday.  We have so much to be thankful for.  Watch for new pictures posted tomorrow night!

I will close with one of my favorite passages from the bible.   It can serve as a reminder to all of us who are in this wacky world!!!!!

That is all I have for tonight, Mr. Blog.

Until tomorrow...

Yes, I had a BAD day!!!

This day will NOT go down in the record book as being a good day.  It was probably one of the "worst" career days I have ever had.  I absolutely LOVE my job; however, this economy has NOT been friendly to the staffing industry.  I really can't go into detail as of what is going on at this time.  Let's just say it was NOT a very good day.  I am very lucky to have a job that I adore.  I enjoy working with my team and clients.  I am a lucky girl!!!!  I know that; however, it still doesn't' mean that today wasn't ikky!!!  Enough said about this!   Let's move onto the journey.

I want to introduce you to my "favorite" trainer!  Her name is Stephanie and she is so awesome! I would recommend her to anyone looking for that extra helping hand.  Complete Fitness  is my gym and you can click on it and check out all that they have to offer!!!  Although for a little while tonight, she was NOT my favorite person.  :)  sorry just being honest!    She told me when we started tonight that she was going to push me harder and I was going to step it up tonight!  SHE WAS NOT KIDDING!  Nothing but treadmill and dumb bells ~~~ wow what a workout...  It is such a GREAT feeling when you finish and your arms are JELLO.  I know how crazy is that!  The entire drive home my arms felt shaking and I loved it.  Is that insane or WHAT?  Best feeling tonight, is that I know that she wants this for me as much as I do.  Do I think I'm just a special client....  NO, I believe Steph is like this with anyone that comes to her for help.  It isn't about having that size ???  body, it is about health.  Workouts are going GREAT and I can't wait until I'm in the gym again.  When I got home I was starving!  I will say that the cravings for this or that have hit me again.  I'm working through them but...  they have reared their ugly head again.

Saturday will be the day for me to find out how many inches I have lost - I know I have because I can feel it in my clothes.  I can't wait!  I'm very excited to see where and how much.  Not being able to weight in this week - I lost that motivation!

Even with the insanities of the day.  I am blessed!   I thank my Jesus today and everyday for the life he has given me.  Through the good and bad times ~ PRAISE!

The theme for tomorrow:

Mr. Blog that is it for tonight  ~~ Until tomorrow...

Thoughts for the JOURNEY

I am not really sure as to what this blog will be like tonight; I have so many thoughts running through my mind.  So for those of you who say I am random -- hold on - - tonight will be a list of random thoughts and scriptures...

• I am a sinner, saved by grace.
• I want people to see Jesus when they see me.

• Life isn't about waiting on the rain to stop; it is about learning to dance in the rain.
• I never want to be a stumbling block for others.

• I desire to be in God's will.
• Working towards being healthy is the hardest thing I have ever done.
• I want more than just head knowledge of my Savior.

• Life at any time can become difficult: life at any time can become easy. It all depends upon how one adjusts oneself to life.
• Making the "right" decision is usually not the popular decision.

• Things worth having are worth waiting for.
• Success doesn't happen overnight.

To close... Tonight's service at church was awesome - I am really enjoying Bro. Joe's series on prayer.  Todd and I both worked out before we went to church tonight.  I am getting very excited about Stephanie measuring me on Saturday.  It will be nice to see what the progress is so far.   

I know tonight's blog was different - - Just had a lot to say and couldn't figure out how to get it all in. 

So for now...  G'night

Until tomorrow...

Each STEP I take...

Goals...   I'm learning that each step I take will either take me towards or away from my goal. It isn't just about deciding what to eat and when to work out.  It goes so much deeper than that.  It is about making up my mind that nothing will STOP me from achieving this goal.  I have to take time to reflect on what I'm doing and who I am.  I am my own worst enemy.  When I fail, it is my own fault.  I am the ONLY one (with the help of Jesus) who can do this.  There isn't a person alive that can do it for me!  I'm so glad that I have finally realized/learned that this will be a HARD journey. 

I was not able to weigh in today as Todd had a doctor's appointment in Dallas and we had to leave right after dropping Logan off at school.  The doc just wants to take a more aggressive approach to his medicines.  Should be a rocky month -- pray for us!!!!  On the way home we tried to stop and workout; but I had forgot the gym was closed until 3 on Tuesdays.  I really do not know what is going on with me right  now.  I am exhausted!  I came home and slept from 2:30 to 5:00.  The ONLY reason I got up then was because we had a meeting at the school for Logan.  After the meeting I am happy to report that Todd and I both workout tonight.  Made for a long night as we didn't get home until after 8:45.  At the time of the decision to go, I was thinking -- I just want to go home and crawl back in bed and pull the covers over my head.  I AM SO THANKFUL THAT WE WENT. 

I talked to Stephanie tonight and our next session is on Thursday and then again on Saturday.  She is going to measure me on Saturday.  I can not wait to see what the results are.  I hope to find time to go and weigh in tomorrow.  Stay tuned...

It has been a long day and I just want to go to bed. 

That is all for tonight...  Until tomorrow!

moments...

I worked from home today so that I could take care of a few loose ends after Todd's fun afternoon on Friday.   I started saying at 9 that I should go to the gym and get my workout done so that I would have the rest of the day/evening to take care of other responsibilities.  I really had this I DO NOT WANT TO attitude today about working out.  It was NOT something that was a priority nor a want to.  Around 2, I finally made myself get up and go.  I'm so glad I did. 

I had a good workout and was able to use the the sauna for 30 minutes.  I am really thinking that those 30 minutes in the sauna will become therapy for me.  My time to release.  I am able to just be ~ no one watching, talking to me or listening to me!  Me, Myself, and I.  Today, I invited Jesus to join me.  I had an intense conversation with Him.  We talked about everything from my role in the church, my marriage, my journey to become a ROCK star, as well as situations going on in the lives of those that I love.  I am learning that those 30 minutes are going to become an important time in my journey.

One thing that we were able to get taken care of today was Todd's doctor's appointment.  It was originally scheduled for Jan. 20th.  With the events of the last few days, we were able to get it moved to tomorrow.  So thankful for that change.    I am eager to hear what the doctor has to say as well as to see what, if any, changes will be made to Todd's medications.  With any medication changes, we have to be ready for a wild couple of weeks.  I'm ready to dance!

I will be missing weigh-in tomorrow with Sally.  However, I do plan to be in the gym in the morning before we leave for Dallas.  I will make sure that I weigh in, as to not lose that Tuesday accountability.  The weight is usually no more than a pound off so...  stay tuned on that!

My challenge to myself during this very crazy week is...  to PRAISE, SEEK, WORSHIP, TRUST, and THANK thank my LORD for each and every moment that he gives me.

Until tomorrow...

I WOULDN'T TAKE NOTHING FOR MY JOURNEY NOW!

I am not sure how long this blog will be.  It has been a very long weekend but as I stated yesterday - I wouldn't trade it for anything.  Today was friends and family day at church and we had special musical guest, The Latimers.  Not only can they touch my heart with music, I could sit and talk with them all day.  They have a passion for our Lord and life.  They actually reminded me of something said yesterday during our Girl Power meeting.  We played a game in which we had to describe yourself with one word.  My friend, Mistie, had the perfect answer.  She simply said... LIVING.  How many people can actually say they are living?  Her words from yesterday and the music from today has filled my heart.  One of my favorite songs sang today was "I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now".  I believe that could be my theme song.  I wouldn't trade this life for any other.  There are days, of course, when you want to throw your hands up and give into the world.  If I were to do that, I would not be able to describe myself as LIVING.  Without the Lord, you are NOT living.  Another song that I heard today was ...  I saw Jesus today, he was in your song.   I want that to be my song.  I want Jesus to be the first thing people see when they see me.   I pray that I never allow the "world" to take away how my heart feels right now.  I pray that I stand firm always in my convictions.  Today was a great day in my Lord.  It was another reminder of how I know I can finish this journey that I am on -- I will become a ROCK star.

After a wonderful church service, lunch and special music; I was able to enjoy another of my passions, photography.  I had the opportunity to take a few pictures for a good friend of mine.  It didn't hurt that she has the cutest little girl ever!!!!  Don't' believe me?  Well have a look for yourself...

Yes, now you believe me.  Jamison is adorable!!!!  To be honest, she didn't have a chance to not be.  She is the spitting image of her mother.  I had forgotten how much I enjoy having the camera in my hand.    It is so nice to be able to give someone a lasting memory.   Wait till you see this precious family...  I will share just a few...  Jamison has a pretty cute "big" brother tooo!!!

 

Onto the diet/workout section of my journey...  I was faced with a MAJOR temptation today.  If you knew some of the ladies of our church and how much I LOVE (I mean LOVE) their cooking, you would understand.  After church today we had a delicious lunch served for our members, friends and family.  I had so many choices!  I knew if I allowed myself to eat just a little of this and a little of that, I would have been in trouble!  I ate turkey!  YES, turkey!  I even said NO to my favorite Peanut Butter cake that is famous in our church!!!  This has been said for one reason ---- It is true,  ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!!!  :)

I can not wait to get back in the gym tomorrow!  I do not have a session with Stephanie but will push myself for tomorrow is my last chance workout before weigh in on Tuesday. 

Through this journey, my faith has become a constant in my life.  I have faith in my ability to see this through, as LONG as I keep Jesus as my focal point.  Your prayers and love through this will always be welcomed. 

Mr. blog, that is all for tonight...  Until tomorrow...

Make your life your masterpeice...

I will begin with an update on Todd;  He was NOT able to open his eye this morning and he looks like I beat him with a baseball bat; however, he is feeling so much better and we are looking forward to moving past this set-back!

What a Saturday...  I think this was one of those days where you say to yourself, this is what life is all about.  It was a very busy day.  Even with the insane schedule, I would NOT trade this day for any other.  With Todd's ER stay and our Friday night, I wasn't sure how we would meet all the responsibilities of today.

Logan and I left the house around 8:15 this morning to go to the gym.  I worked out for 45 minutes and then sat in the sauna for 20 minutes.  My sciatic nerve was really bothering me the other night and Stephanie thought the sauna would help with the pain.  She was so right!!!!  This was my first experience in a infrared "dry" sauna.  I have been in a wet sauna before and HATED it.  It took my breath!  The infrared was awesome.  It was soooooooooo HOT, but it was such a GREAT 20 minutes.  Very relaxing and it really did help my pain.  On a side note...  I am convinced that I lost at least 10 pounds from the SWEAT!   That could be another benefit.  :)

From the gym, we came home and I jumped in the shower and we got ready for Lolo's last soccer game.  They played an awesome game and I'm almost sad to see the season end.  Way to go Ninja's -- you guys played an awesome season!

What a blessing I received today....  Today was the first meeting for GIRL POWER!  I was blessed beyond words.  There were 9 of us.  There were probably 5 to 6 others that I know will be there next month.  If everyone returns and the new ones come -- I believe we could have 15 / 17 next month.  We had an awesome time getting to know one another and a short devotion and powerful prayer session.  Life is so good.  I know that God has put a passion in my heart for this ministry.  I am overwhelmed at the possibilities that are before us.  I am so eager to see what God will do in the midst of this group.   I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is a ministry that God has called me for.   I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS MINISTRY AND WELCOME ANY OF YOU LADIES TO GRAB THE EXCITMENT AND JOIN US!!!

We have Friends and Family day  at church tomorrow and of course Logan couldn't go without Caleb so...  From Girl Power we picked up Logan's little friend, Caleb -- I love that little guy!  He and Logan have played so hard this evening.  You can NOT see my living room floor!  I could care less tonight - I have enjoyed listening to the conversation between the two of them.   It has been a busy night of cooking for our special dinner at church tomorrow and watching Logan and Caleb play. 

I will close with one thought...  With the help of the MASTER, you can create a MASTERPICE with your life.  

For now Mr. Blog.... Goodnight....  Until tomorrow...