Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be a fly on someone's wall? Not literally, but to be able to listen and see what happens inside the walls of some families. I have often said that I'd like to be a fly on my friend's wall. The conversations she and her husband have crack me up. (or should I say, the conversations she tells me they have) Well, tonight's conversation within the walls of our home made me wonder what someone would think if they could hear the conversation we had this evening.
Some of you know that I have named my treadmill Henry. I also recently started doing the Biggest Loser workouts on our Xbox Kinnect so I often say, "I had a date with Bob today". (Bob Harper is one of the personal trainers on The Biggest Loser.) Also, I am a fan of Chip Ingram (http://www.lote.org/) and often listen to his sermons on my ipod while working out. Do you see where this is going???
After dinner tonight I went upstairs to put my workout clothes on. I came downstairs and made the announcement: "I'm going downstairs to have a date with Henry. He's been a little lonely since Bob came into my life". Both Sam and Jason knew exactly what I was talking about and didn't blink an eye. Although, Sam did say to Jason, "Dad, looks like you've got some competition". We all laughed.
I have also been known to say, "I'm going to bed with Chip. Goodnight all!". When what I really meant was, I was going upstairs to lay in bed and listen to Chip's sermons.
So, to listen in on these conversations would lead someone to believe I was breaking the seventh commandment. See Exodus 20:14
A little glimpse inside the walls of our home.
~ Oh if you could hear some of our other conversations. ;) ~
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
An Annual Trip
This past weekend we took a much needed trip to Estes Park. It was President's Day weekend so the kids had Monday off of school. We left Saturday morning and came home late Monday afternoon. Whenever we take trips or do something like this, I usually have two things on my mind. How much weight am I going to gain and how much money are we going to spend. I believe I can say we did pretty good on both of those topics.
We cooked all our food at the condo, not eating out once. Which helped with both subjects. Most of the time everyone did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. Took naps, played games, sat in the hot tub, ate snacks, watched tv, etc. We also went sledding up in Rocky Mountain National Park twice on Sunday. Once in the morning and once later in the afternoon. We did some window shopping in Estes in between sledding and Doug and Peyton got their picture taken at one of those old time photo places. It was fun to watch. Then we went back to the sledding hill. It started snowing on us when we were there in the afternoon and it was so pretty. We were the last to leave the sledding hill as it started getting dark. We drove home in the dark while it was snowing. It was actually quite pretty, coming from someone who doesn't like to drive in snow.
Monday morning we got up and had breakfast. Then got our snow gear on and headed into town to get our snowshoes. We drove up into the park (Rocky Mountain) and found a good snowshoeing trail near a lake. The wind was blowing really hard, which was blowing all the fresh snow around, and it was about 14 degrees out. But once we got into the trees it wasn't quite as bad. We had so much fun and it was the first time any of us had been snowshoeing. We snowshoed for over two hours! It's been on my "Bucket List" for a long time...and now I can cross it off...although I'd love to do it more often.
Between the sledding, walking around down town, Jason and me taking morning walks, and our snowshoing...I didn't gain weight. And the only money we really spent besides the condo was on Doug and Peyton's photo shoot and renting snowshoes! I think this weekend was a success.
We had a great time and are now home to get back to "normal". The kids are back in school, Jason is off to work, and I'm home putting the house back together and getting laundry done. Right where I wanna be.
Life is good!
We cooked all our food at the condo, not eating out once. Which helped with both subjects. Most of the time everyone did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. Took naps, played games, sat in the hot tub, ate snacks, watched tv, etc. We also went sledding up in Rocky Mountain National Park twice on Sunday. Once in the morning and once later in the afternoon. We did some window shopping in Estes in between sledding and Doug and Peyton got their picture taken at one of those old time photo places. It was fun to watch. Then we went back to the sledding hill. It started snowing on us when we were there in the afternoon and it was so pretty. We were the last to leave the sledding hill as it started getting dark. We drove home in the dark while it was snowing. It was actually quite pretty, coming from someone who doesn't like to drive in snow.
Monday morning we got up and had breakfast. Then got our snow gear on and headed into town to get our snowshoes. We drove up into the park (Rocky Mountain) and found a good snowshoeing trail near a lake. The wind was blowing really hard, which was blowing all the fresh snow around, and it was about 14 degrees out. But once we got into the trees it wasn't quite as bad. We had so much fun and it was the first time any of us had been snowshoeing. We snowshoed for over two hours! It's been on my "Bucket List" for a long time...and now I can cross it off...although I'd love to do it more often.
Between the sledding, walking around down town, Jason and me taking morning walks, and our snowshoing...I didn't gain weight. And the only money we really spent besides the condo was on Doug and Peyton's photo shoot and renting snowshoes! I think this weekend was a success.
We had a great time and are now home to get back to "normal". The kids are back in school, Jason is off to work, and I'm home putting the house back together and getting laundry done. Right where I wanna be.
Life is good!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Popcorn and PJs
Recently we had a popcorn and pjs night at church. We had attended a Women's Ministry meeting where the idea was talked about so my friend, Stephanie, and I both started planning it and things just fell into place. We decided to start with a pink and black theme and we went from there. Since we held the event in January when many have just started working on their New Year's Resolution, we decided also on offering healthy snacks.
Comfort
Health
Relax
FUN!
We showed the movie, A VOW TO CHERISH. The women began showing up, all in their PJs or comfy sweats. We had been making popcorn in the authentic popcorn machine (a mini machine, just like at the movie theater) before the ladies arrived. All stood around, snacking and chatting in their jammies and then the movie began. What a wonderful evening. Ladies wrapped up in their blankets, feet propped on the chairs in front of them that Stephanie and I strategically arranged for their comfort, munching on their popcorn. Tissue boxes were placed all around the room. Then the movie was over. And the ladies lingered. Sitting in groups of two to five or so, relaxed and just wanting to stay and chat. I do believe the night was a success. We've been asked by many when the next movie night will be.
....TO BE CONTINUED
Comfort
Health
Relax
FUN!
We showed the movie, A VOW TO CHERISH. The women began showing up, all in their PJs or comfy sweats. We had been making popcorn in the authentic popcorn machine (a mini machine, just like at the movie theater) before the ladies arrived. All stood around, snacking and chatting in their jammies and then the movie began. What a wonderful evening. Ladies wrapped up in their blankets, feet propped on the chairs in front of them that Stephanie and I strategically arranged for their comfort, munching on their popcorn. Tissue boxes were placed all around the room. Then the movie was over. And the ladies lingered. Sitting in groups of two to five or so, relaxed and just wanting to stay and chat. I do believe the night was a success. We've been asked by many when the next movie night will be.
....TO BE CONTINUED
 |
| Stephanie making sure everything is in it's place |
 |
| Our fruit kabobs placed in vases |
 |
| Veggie sticks in clear cups with ranch dressing in the bottom |
 |
| and the movie begins.... |
Sunday, January 1, 2012
HAPPY 2012!
I did it! WE did it! We made it into 2012 and I can't begin to tell you how happy that makes me. Something we've been looking forward to for quite a few years.
On Friday, we walked into Bellco Credit Union and wrote a check for our very last truck payment. (first time in 16 years that we haven't had at least one vehicle payment)
The last week of 2011 I broke my yearly fitness minutes goal.
This year, we made it through without using a single credit card...cash only!
This year ended, with me weighing less than I did at the end of last year. (and they say keeping it off is hard...HA)
Some hopes for 2012:
To grow my relationship with my Creator and Savior and to find ways to share His love with others.
To work on my marriage and make it even more amazing than it already is.
To spend lots of quality time with my three kids and not take for granted the limited time I have left to spend with my son while he still lives at home.
To weigh at least 10 pounds less by my son's graduation and 15 pounds less by the end of June for our family vacation to Florida.
To be debt free by the end of 2012 (except for our mortgage and monthly utility bills)
To start saving....really saving.
To eat more fruits and veggies.
To exceed my fitness minutes goal for this year.
There are so many more, but those are some of my big ones....that I WILL accomplish.
Happy New Year everyone!
I hope God blesses all my friends and family in a special way in 2012
On Friday, we walked into Bellco Credit Union and wrote a check for our very last truck payment. (first time in 16 years that we haven't had at least one vehicle payment)
The last week of 2011 I broke my yearly fitness minutes goal.
This year, we made it through without using a single credit card...cash only!
This year ended, with me weighing less than I did at the end of last year. (and they say keeping it off is hard...HA)
Some hopes for 2012:
To grow my relationship with my Creator and Savior and to find ways to share His love with others.
To work on my marriage and make it even more amazing than it already is.
To spend lots of quality time with my three kids and not take for granted the limited time I have left to spend with my son while he still lives at home.
To weigh at least 10 pounds less by my son's graduation and 15 pounds less by the end of June for our family vacation to Florida.
To be debt free by the end of 2012 (except for our mortgage and monthly utility bills)
To start saving....really saving.
To eat more fruits and veggies.
To exceed my fitness minutes goal for this year.
There are so many more, but those are some of my big ones....that I WILL accomplish.
Happy New Year everyone!
I hope God blesses all my friends and family in a special way in 2012
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
December
Two years ago, in the month of December, Jason lost his job. I still remember the pain of standing in line at Walmart returning most of my kids' Christmas presents (all but the socks and underwear that they needed) so we could use the money to buy groceries instead. As a parent, that was one of the most difficult things I've done. As I sit here today and look at our brightly lit Christmas tree, I see so many presents under the tree that we cannot fit any more. Some are from grandparents, some are from aunts and uncles and some are from us. I also see what a difference two years makes on a person's heart.
Losing a job made us take a step back and realize what is important in life. Made us realize the difference between wants and needs. Makes us question each and every purchase we make. For some people, they are too proud to admit that they spend too much. That they want to keep up with the "Joneses". That most of their purchases are wants and not needs. So many people don't have a clue what it's like to wonder how they are going to buy food to put on the table the next day, toilet paper, laundry soap and gas for their vehicle to get them to a job interview when it comes around. I'd like to say, "please feel sorry for me", but that is not how I feel. I'm proud of how we changed because of these circumstances. After Jason got a job and we were SLOWLY digging ourselves out of the pit (which we are still digging, by the way) we made a commitment to take how ever long it took to spend our money on mostly needs and let the wants go. For over a year, we've been looking forward to December 2011 and the coming year of 2012 when we had things paid off. I can proudly say that for an entire year, we have done an amazing job and we've made it to December 2011! (even with an unexpected expense of replacing a tire on a vehicle a week and a half before Christmas!)
I am so thankful for a husband who realizes as much as I do how important it is for me to be home and available for our kids and not at a job relying on other people to take them places or care for them. I am thankful for a husband who goes to work each and every day to provide for our family. We may not have all the money in the world, but we've realized it's not money that makes a family happy. It's spending time together, getting by with whatever God provides, and loving each other no matter what.
Besides the budget changes, I have made other changes in my life that have changed me in so many ways. I am eating healthier, exercising and can proudly say I am 5 pant sizes smaller than I was in 2010. As I said in my previous post, my fitness goal was to log 2520 minutes of exercise in 2011. I am officially at 2420. (December 21st) Last night I spent an hour on the treadmill. 2 years ago I had a hard time staying focused and staying on for 30 minutes.
As I ponder 2011 and wait for the year 2012 to arrive, I can honestly say that even through the struggles and difficult times, I am blessed beyond measure. I have an amazing husband who loves me, three beautiful children who are caring, loving people and whom I think the world of and God has provided us with a warm home, food in the pantry, friends and family and so, so much more. I give God all the glory in all that we have. He is faithful!
Happy Birthday, Jesus! We WILL celebrate your birth...the reason for the season.
Losing a job made us take a step back and realize what is important in life. Made us realize the difference between wants and needs. Makes us question each and every purchase we make. For some people, they are too proud to admit that they spend too much. That they want to keep up with the "Joneses". That most of their purchases are wants and not needs. So many people don't have a clue what it's like to wonder how they are going to buy food to put on the table the next day, toilet paper, laundry soap and gas for their vehicle to get them to a job interview when it comes around. I'd like to say, "please feel sorry for me", but that is not how I feel. I'm proud of how we changed because of these circumstances. After Jason got a job and we were SLOWLY digging ourselves out of the pit (which we are still digging, by the way) we made a commitment to take how ever long it took to spend our money on mostly needs and let the wants go. For over a year, we've been looking forward to December 2011 and the coming year of 2012 when we had things paid off. I can proudly say that for an entire year, we have done an amazing job and we've made it to December 2011! (even with an unexpected expense of replacing a tire on a vehicle a week and a half before Christmas!)
I am so thankful for a husband who realizes as much as I do how important it is for me to be home and available for our kids and not at a job relying on other people to take them places or care for them. I am thankful for a husband who goes to work each and every day to provide for our family. We may not have all the money in the world, but we've realized it's not money that makes a family happy. It's spending time together, getting by with whatever God provides, and loving each other no matter what.
Besides the budget changes, I have made other changes in my life that have changed me in so many ways. I am eating healthier, exercising and can proudly say I am 5 pant sizes smaller than I was in 2010. As I said in my previous post, my fitness goal was to log 2520 minutes of exercise in 2011. I am officially at 2420. (December 21st) Last night I spent an hour on the treadmill. 2 years ago I had a hard time staying focused and staying on for 30 minutes.
As I ponder 2011 and wait for the year 2012 to arrive, I can honestly say that even through the struggles and difficult times, I am blessed beyond measure. I have an amazing husband who loves me, three beautiful children who are caring, loving people and whom I think the world of and God has provided us with a warm home, food in the pantry, friends and family and so, so much more. I give God all the glory in all that we have. He is faithful!
Happy Birthday, Jesus! We WILL celebrate your birth...the reason for the season.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
A Better Me
Some people make New Years Resolutions. I like to be different. It seems like autumn and the changing of the colors makes me want to change ME. Last year in August I began an adventure...to change me, FOREVER!
I started this journey at 228 pounds! A size 20/22. That's me above at around 228. By October, I was in a size 16 and weighed about 195 and by January 2011 I was 183 and in a size 12. Although I am excited to still be in a size 12 (my wedding dress was a 14/16 so it was early high school since I've been in a size 12) I want to keep going on this lifestyle change. At this point it's not about looks. It's about being healthy and taking care of me. I have been a member of Sparkpeople.com for several years now. It's a wonderful website that helps track your calorie intake, excercise, etc. Plus it has tons of pointers, tips and help in losing weight and getting healthy. So far this year I have tracked 2200 fitness minutes...and my goal for the year is 2520. I think I'm going to exceed my goal! There is no way I could have jogged on the treadmill for even a minute a year ago. Now I have no problem getting on to walk/jog and before I know it I've been on for 30-40 minutes or more. I am one of those weird people who actually likes to work out. I love the way it makes me feel when I am finished. I feel like I accomplished something. I have more energy to get through the day.
I started this journey at 228 pounds! A size 20/22. That's me above at around 228. By October, I was in a size 16 and weighed about 195 and by January 2011 I was 183 and in a size 12. Although I am excited to still be in a size 12 (my wedding dress was a 14/16 so it was early high school since I've been in a size 12) I want to keep going on this lifestyle change. At this point it's not about looks. It's about being healthy and taking care of me. I have been a member of Sparkpeople.com for several years now. It's a wonderful website that helps track your calorie intake, excercise, etc. Plus it has tons of pointers, tips and help in losing weight and getting healthy. So far this year I have tracked 2200 fitness minutes...and my goal for the year is 2520. I think I'm going to exceed my goal! There is no way I could have jogged on the treadmill for even a minute a year ago. Now I have no problem getting on to walk/jog and before I know it I've been on for 30-40 minutes or more. I am one of those weird people who actually likes to work out. I love the way it makes me feel when I am finished. I feel like I accomplished something. I have more energy to get through the day. Some things that I have realized since losing 45 pounds:
I love being able tighten my belt, until finally it just doesn't fit any more.
I had to have my wedding ring resized - smaller and it's still too big. I had to donate the rest of my rings.
I am able to keep up with my kids (and some times am able to out run them)
New under garments were a must
Buying new jeans while still losing weight is not recommended. Yes, I did own a pair of jeans in every size from 20 to 12. (I no longer have my bigger jeans as I will NEVER be in them again)
My seat belt fits better.
Being able to fit into clothes in the ladies clothing section and not having to go to the "big girls'" section is so fun. (I still find myself going to the "big girls'" section out of habit)
Being able to fit into clothes in the ladies clothing section and not having to go to the "big girls'" section is so fun. (I still find myself going to the "big girls'" section out of habit)
I was able to actually tighten the seat belt in the airplane...and have quite a bit of extra slack!
I have had to get an entire new wardrobe, including jeans, shirts, undergarments, jackets, belts, etc. I am still amazed every time I put on my coat that I once could not zip and now it's pretty loose, even when wearing a bulky sweatshirt or sweater! Thank goodness for Goodwill and Salvation Army to help me along the way in my journey.
I could go on and on. I plan to use my blog as an accountability tool to keep me on track thru the rest of the year and beyond. I WILL break my fitness goal. I am hoping to be in a size 8 or 10 by next summer when our family goes to Florida to stay in a condo on the beach! I honestly don't remember EVER being in a size 8 or 10. Maybe middle school? We'll see.
My Journey....to be continued.....
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Do Not Worry
Once again, God has softly spoken to me.
Yesterday morning I received a phone call from an 800 number. We have caller ID and always allow the answering machine to get these calls. The call was from "Wells Fargo Fraud Dept" saying that we had some suspicious activity on our card....Long story short, I called this number and it ended up being a pfishing number and not actually Wells Fargo's Fraud Dept. I got a red flag and hung up and called the REAL fraud department to report the two charges on my account that we did not make.
I spent the next 8-10 hours on the phone with bankers, waiting for a police officer to come to my house to file a police report, on the phone with friends and family who were so wonderful and were worried about us, etc. The funny thing is, I was not concerned or worried this entire time. God tells us, "Do not be anxious about anything" Phil. 4:6. He spoke this to me all day and I truly knew this. Our God is so much bigger than this tiny little issue we were having. It's His money after all...so don't you think He'd be in charge of what was happening with it? Of course He is!
Our good friend is a banker at Wells Fargo and had heard what we were dealing with, immediately called us and has been so wonderful in staying on top of this and watching our account throughout the day and making sure the correct process was in fact taking place. SO thankful for him! God knew this was all going to happen this way and put our friend in this position to help his fellow brother and sister in Christ, and as a small little human I stand in awe of HIS plan.
Our account was drained by these people, and our account was overdrawn. This morning I got up and checked our account. One of the charges that were pending yesterday did indeed clear. I immediately called the number I was told to call (the REAL fraud dept number). Our account is now above negative and things are starting to look up.
No need to worry...God had this chapter in our lives written long ago....and as His children, we have to trust in His ending of this chapter as well. (Surrender)
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap, or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matt. 6:26
Oh what a comfort that is to me today!
What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?
Yesterday morning I received a phone call from an 800 number. We have caller ID and always allow the answering machine to get these calls. The call was from "Wells Fargo Fraud Dept" saying that we had some suspicious activity on our card....Long story short, I called this number and it ended up being a pfishing number and not actually Wells Fargo's Fraud Dept. I got a red flag and hung up and called the REAL fraud department to report the two charges on my account that we did not make.
I spent the next 8-10 hours on the phone with bankers, waiting for a police officer to come to my house to file a police report, on the phone with friends and family who were so wonderful and were worried about us, etc. The funny thing is, I was not concerned or worried this entire time. God tells us, "Do not be anxious about anything" Phil. 4:6. He spoke this to me all day and I truly knew this. Our God is so much bigger than this tiny little issue we were having. It's His money after all...so don't you think He'd be in charge of what was happening with it? Of course He is!
Our good friend is a banker at Wells Fargo and had heard what we were dealing with, immediately called us and has been so wonderful in staying on top of this and watching our account throughout the day and making sure the correct process was in fact taking place. SO thankful for him! God knew this was all going to happen this way and put our friend in this position to help his fellow brother and sister in Christ, and as a small little human I stand in awe of HIS plan.
Our account was drained by these people, and our account was overdrawn. This morning I got up and checked our account. One of the charges that were pending yesterday did indeed clear. I immediately called the number I was told to call (the REAL fraud dept number). Our account is now above negative and things are starting to look up.
No need to worry...God had this chapter in our lives written long ago....and as His children, we have to trust in His ending of this chapter as well. (Surrender)
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap, or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matt. 6:26
Oh what a comfort that is to me today!
What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?
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