Day 31 & 32

This was taken on one of my walks last summer/ Fall. One of my favorite things to do.. Go for a walk with my camera!!! The sun was gorgeous on this morning. And the fog made it all feel so mysterious!!

Day 31 ~ Breakfast ~ South Beach Bar & coffee
Lunch ~ Soup
Dinner ~ 1/4 of a meatball Sub

I was on the treadmill again at night. I have got to get right up and get right on there!! Today I ran 2.65 minutes. LOL I mean miles.



Day 32 ~ Breakfast ~ South Beach Bar & coffee
Lunch ~ A turkey & swiss Sandwhich on a fresh yummy roll ( could not resist)
Dinner ~ I went to a friends B-day party and had crakers and cheeses ,veggies and dip a, and pretzels I stayed away from the peanut butter bars!! :0)

I ran 30 minutes on treadmill and then someone needed me and I never got back on. Not sure how far.

Exciting News!!!!!!

When I started and named my blog, I secretly ( well, secret to most) in my heart was hoping that one of the main journeys I would be sharing on here would be a journey to adoption. My heart has always broken for children who are not loved and treated the way they should be and w/in the past several years I have a real burden for the orphans of the world!!! I have this deep longing to adopt and give children a home and a family who will love them unconditionally. So far it does not look like this will be a journey I will be going on for different reasons. I recently started praying and begging the Lord to show me then, if adoption was not His plan for me, then what was I suppose to do w/all that is in my heart. I feel that He obviously has put it there for a reason. Soon after I started praying for God to show me what fits in my hand in caring for orphans, I found out about a  mission trip taking place in July. I found out about it from my friend Sarah and A blog that I follow http://www.mycrazyadoption.org/ . I am not sure which came first. But as soon as I heard , my heart began to stir!! I just had this feeling that I was suppose to go. Sarah and I talked w/ excitement of how awesome it would be to go together. Days passed and I decied that I needed to pursue this despit my fear of flying ( I just flew for the first time to Florida in November) and despite the fact that Sarah may not go. So I spent a week in prayer and then sent in my application. So  I will be going to Africa in July!!!

I can't tell you how very excited I am as well as being very nervous. But I feel that peace; feeling very strongly that this is from the Lord.  I also feel an even greater peace because I found out that I will be sharing this journey with one of my very best friends , Sarah and her Mom, Marge ( also my friend).  I know that we will have a blast ( maybe that is not the word bt not sure what it is :0) ) serving the Lord together!! We are already planning practice sessions on how to squat and pee.LOL JK (I think) Ok maybe I shouldn't have shared that.So anyhoo, I will be traveling through an organization called Visiting Orphans w/ 2 hosts Kari Smalley Gibson( She is Gary Smalleys daughter :0)  Look at me a name dropper. LOL One of the first Bible Studies I did was one he had put together on marriage. Sweet memories for me sitting in Uncle Tom and Aunt Cindys living room. Kari also is a friend of sarahs . They adopted their little ones from Ethiopia at the same time.)The other host is Ashlie Fulmer. I can't wait to get to know these ladies better. The trip is from July 19 through August 1st.  We will be going first to Uganda to work with Katie Davis. ** Sigh** I have been following her blog for awhile. This gal is such an example of Christ and encourages me in so many ways. http://www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

Check it out and be blessed!!!! I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to hopefully be a blessing to her and all of the people and children she ministers to!!!! In Ethiopia, we will be visiting many orphanages: Mother Teresas HIV Orphanage and the Ahope HIV orphanage and Kids Care Orphanage. This just warms my heart. This is where Eli was getting all of his lovin that we were praying for while Sarah and Bob were waiting for the day when they could bring him home.Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare and head out on this journey!! For more details and my itinerary you can visit http://www.africainjuly.blogspot.com/ Oh and I just have to add I am not giving up on adoption!!!! i am still praying that one day God will take me on that journey as well!!!! :0) Shhhhh!!!

Day 30 Woo Hoo a whole month!!!

I can't believe it. It has been a whole month and I have only missed 2 days of excercise. I have never excercised this much in my life!!!! Well, maybe during my Field Hockey days. Anyway, it feels great!! 

Here are some benefits I am seeing:

1. I have more energy than I have had in a long time. I actually stay up later than 8 pm most nights and there have been some where I am even up excercising at 10:00 at night. Who is that girl???

2. I am sleeping well!!!!! Which is such a blessing because for awhile I was on a real weird schedule where I am up at 2 am and could not get back to sleep.

3. Excercising leads to drinking more water and drinking more water leads to my skin looking better and feeling better, remebering to take my vitamins,having a clearer mind..................

4. Not to mention, I have lost 8 lbs in a month and many inches.

5. I just plain feel better about myself!!!

Day30
Breakfast ~  Peanut butter spoons & coffee :0\ I have really got to get a grip.
Lunch ~ Ezekial raisin bread and swiss toasted
Dinner~ South Beach Bar ,some meatballs
Snacks ~ Nuts
I am not reccomending you follow my menu these days.  Definetely need more veggies etc

I went to my bigggest Loser Club tonight for my weigh in and excercise. I missed Monday because the boys had physicals. Boy was that fun...... Boy was that stressful!!! So I lost another pound which brought me up to 8. Happy to say I have not gained at all this whole month. This is huge for me. I had some weeks where I stayed the same but no gains.YAYYYY!!!!! Tonight we did partner resistance training. That was awesome. An hour flew by and you didn't feel like you were working hard. But we certainly must have been. I am so sore today!!!!

Day 29 Up and At Em'

This is a picture ( not mine though I do have some lovely ones just not gonna dig em out) of the sunrise over Myrtle Beach. **Sigh** We went there a couple of years ago and it was the absolute best vacation I have ever had. Though I am so excited about this foot of snow we could possibly get, I am longing so much to be here w/ my feet in the sand and to feel the sun on my face.

Today I did what I really need to do everyday .. I got up and got right on the treadmill w/ my water bottle. Coffee had to wait. It felt awesome to have gotten it done and out of the way. I ran 2.65 miles.

 My menu for Day 29 Breakfast ~ a couple of handfuls of cereal and a peanut butter spoon at Bible Study I had a mini corn muffin w/ sugar free jam

Lunch~  Soup and a handful of chips

Dinner ~ A barbecue Snack Wrap on our way to the CASTING CROWNS concert. it was my older childrens first concert. They were so excited!!

Day 27 & 28 What Have I Done????

Right now it is 9:53 PM and I am getting on the stupid treadmill.I am asking myself" What in the World have I done making myself accountable to all of you??? Well I do not know about "all" but you my few lovely blogland friends!!..............................Well I did it!! Everything in me was screaming, "No, don't do it . Go and relax and veg in front of the TV." But for some reason I just can't let you all down. LOL So I walked for 30 minutes. I am so tired and wish I could snap my fingers and I would be on a beach somewhere w/ a yummy fruity drink and a good book!!

I hear that beautiful water calling my name!!

Ok , so I actually started this on Day 27 .....so on this day I walked for 30 minutes. My menu was this:

Breakfast ~  Mini multi grain bagel w/ strawberry cream cheese & coffee

Lunch ~ nothing

Dinner ~ Went out w/ my  friend Dana for Mexican Night. I had a Chicken Chimichanga q/ refried beans,guacamole ,sour cream and chips and salsa. It was sooooo yummmy and so nice to spend time w/ longtime sister /friend!!!

Day 28 Breakfast ~ mini bagel w/ straw .cream cheese & coffee

Lunch  & Dinner ~ was out and about so it looked like this....some nuts, a Lars bar. After a very stressful Dr. appt. w/ the boys we celebrated their bravery by getting frosties  at Wendys oh and some fries. :0\ Ok I need to buck up but in my defense, the doctor gave us coupons for free Frosties and I felt like I should really buy something. I got home and after a loooooonnnnngggg day I still got on that stupid treadmill and ran 2.65 miles. It felt good to sweat but  I fought giving up many times. It would have been an easier run if the Tv had something like I Love Lucy  on instead of political crap. SORRY but I can only  take so much!! Whether I agree w/ what is being said or not is beside the point.  If I am going to be in front of the TV I WANT TO BE ENTERTAINED gosh darnit!! My favorite thing to watch while I am on that stupid thing ( sorry I keep saying stupid) is the Biggest Loser. There is no way I can give up when that is on. Tootles.. off to see the Casting Crowns in concert. Mykids are toooo excited. It will be a long ride. :0\

Day 25 & 26 I HATE BLISTERS!!!!!!

No , these are not my feet!! Thank God!!! Man I am a wuss...... they don't look like these but feel like them!! I have one blister on my left heel that is killing me!! I have been trying to persevere and run on the treadmill like usual  but I am not as zealous and a bit wimpy. These new running shoes have not been kind to me. So I will be taking a trip to the Running Center again soon. How cool is this...... You have 60 days  to return them. So I will go and get a proper fitting . and get this.. My friend Marty told me that there is such a thing as Blister free socks. I am so excited. She also shared that putting Vicks  Vapor Rub on your feet helps as well!! So soon hopefully my piggies will feel and look like these...................

Sigh... I love this shot!! I took this of my friends little punkin pie. Look at those little pigs!!!!! Wish i had some of those!!! :0)

Ok so today, Day 26  I ran 2.65 miles in my old sneaks. Yesterday Day 25...a sick day. why didn't I add them into the committment???? Rotten headache in the morning and then preparing for company in afternoon and actually forgot to excercise. By the time everyone was in bed I was too pooped. I was actually falling asleep on the couch when I remembered. I feel like I have let you down blogland!!! and I am gooing to be honest and say I am too tired to remember the menu for the past 2 days. I do remember dinner tonight  though. mmmmmmmmm!!!! I made grilled steak and shrimp, baked potatoe and green beans. Special dinner for my Dad!! I did not have any of the Apple Pie and Ice cream and actually had no cookies. ( just a bite of one). Good night !!! It is soooooo past my bedtime!!!!!!

Bittersweet Kind of Day

This weekend we were blessed to have a little visitor stay at our house.  What a joy to have Miss Taegan here. Unfortuneately , the reason for her staying isn't joyous at all. Her Poppy passed away. As we have played ,built snowmen and made cookies and laughed, her Mommy and Daddy were saying goodbye to such a sweet part of their lives. Every once in awhile I would have to sneak away and wipe a tear as I thought of my friends and the sadness sweet little T will be feeling all too soon. She sooo loved her Poppy and he absolutely adored her!!!! She didn't talk about it except when she showed Livy the pocket watch her Poppy gave her before he died.  SO we have just tried to fill her weekend w/ lotts of fun!!

Taegan decided to build a snow fort. I do not remember the last time I did that!!

These two were inseparable!! At one point T told the boys that they needed to leave Livys room because they needed to have some "girl talk.Love it!!!

We also finally made the cookies we have been meaning to make for weeks. These are Melted Snowman Cookies. I found this recipe on a friends blog http://www.mycrazyadoption.org/ If you go to her blog and type in Melted Snowman Cookies in her search you will find it!!

: 0) "Snow much fun!!!!"

I told Guy david that would have been us if he would have come out and played with me. I guess he had better things to do like  bringing wood in. Whatever!!! LOL

Please pray for my little friend and her family!!! They are going to have a very hard week!!!!

Day 24 & 25 Ready to Soar!!

For many reasons I am thinking about my first flight. It was just this past Fall. we flew to florida to get on our cruise ship to go on our very first cruise. I had vowed that I would never get on a an airplane and then it happened ....... we won a cruise. My hubby really wanted to go so unless I let him take someone else I had no other choice. So I did it . I got on that plane. I was so very scared and I cried from the time I got to the airport until this is what I saw outside of my window. ( So glad what I saw wasn't from an episode from that show...STINK!! I can't remeber the name of it....old show that was weird and creepy..... that I snuck and watched when I was a kid) Actually, I was taken by surprise of how beautiful it was. At that moment I felt such peace and so in awe of my God!!! It was almost that same feeling I get when I stand next to the Ocean. ** Sigh** That feeling is like no other.I am deep in thoughts in many ways about this moment .   That feeling reminds me of those moments in our lives when we give it all to God and let go and just trust Him. Does anything feel as peaceful?? I do not believe so . Personally , there are some times taking fiirst place in my mind right now and I can do nothing but smile as I think of them. It does feel like you are floating  or soaring. Sorry if this is too warm and fuzzy but it is true. I had this feeling to an extent last night. I must say that I have not been real excited these days about this whole excercise thing and to be very honest w/ out this committment to blogland to excercise every day I would be sitting on the couch watching TV. I was able to get new running shoes this past weekend and so Day 24 I decided to up the level on my treadmill. I ran 30+ minutes and then had to get off to go to a Basketball Game. Yesterday Day 25 I did 50 minutes on the raised level w/ blisters to prove it. Last night I went to my Biggest Loser Club. I missed Monday so I had to go and weigh in. It was snowing so hard and I was so tempted to stay home. I did not and even stayed and let Jillian Michaels kick my butt with blisters and all. It was a rough workout for me  but I did it. I felt such peace afterwards knowing that I chose to move instead of not and that I did not let the snow,my fear of driving in the snow,or my blisters stop me. I know that that feeling was so much better than the feeling I would have felt if I had stayed home,sat on the couch and watched TV. 

Day 24 ~ Breakfast : South Beach bar, coffee

Lunch ~ Progresso soup and Tortillas

Supper ~South Beach Bar

and snacked on handfuls of cereal

Day 25 ~ Breakfast ~ South Beach bar, coffee

Lunch ~ South west salad

Dinner ~ Stirfry and an eggroll 2 sugar cookies and Hot cocoa

I have got to start keeping WW points !!!!

Day 23 & 24 Captivating

 In a couple of posts ago , I talked about howI was looking back and am questioning why I have the motivation now but could not seem to muster it up before.What I found was that it was a journey. I do see it as layers being pulled back and dealt with. Someday I am going to read that book by Sandi Patty; Layers. I am sure it would be quite insightful. One of the layers that had to and most likely still is being pulled away is knowing who I am in Christ and enjoying that person. Afterall, I was created in the image of God to be a daughter of the King. And for crying out loud can you even wrap your brain around the fact that God the creator of the universe, the sunsets,the stars, the mountains, the waves of the ocean, the sound of those waves..... ** Sigh** ..( my very favorite sound), the flowers and on and on ; that He also created you and me. We are His workmanship, His masterpiece. We are the where He longs for His spirit to live.the home of His temple. Geez, when I park my brain on that one for a while I am blown away!!!!! And how can it not lead to worship???? One of the tools God used to help lead to this ridding of this layer ;the layer that does not believe all of this, was  the book Captivating Unveiling The Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John and Staci Eldredge.  Just writing this makes me want to go read it again.

Sunday Day 23 ~ Breakfast~South Beach Bar ,coffee Lunch ~ 6 inch Sub at Subway and a bag of baked barbecue chips Supper ~ Shared medium fries w/ a friend at McDonalds while we worked on Science lesson plans. Peanut butter spoon

Walked 30 minutes on treadmill

Monday Day 24 ~ Breakfast ~  South Beach Bar, coffee and some handfuls of Life

Lunch~ Leftover chicken from Damons and rest of baked potatoe

Dinner ~Progresso Soup and tortilla chips and a Sugar cookie.

Snack ~ Peanut butter spoons

Went for a walk not sure how long.

WARNING

If any of you reading are guys  you may want to stop now because you will now find some girl talk!!! 

 I have been struggling so much lately w/ craving sweets. And I am sure I have picked on some sweet things more thatn I have been writing. Not because I am lying but because I truly cannot remember. I am finding that the time between ovulation and when I actually get a visit from Aunt Flo ( sorry!! ) I want sweets in the worst way and the last thing I really want to do is excercise. Boy, can those couple of weeks really ruin all of the work you put in before hand !!!!! So I have got to get myself some sort of  plan for next month. If you have anything that you could share that could help , please let me know!!!!! One of my friends said that Vitamin B ( I think ) curbs those cravings. I plan on researching  on this. I will let you know what I find.

Day 21 & 22 Woo Hoo!! Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou!!!!

 Tonight the teens of our church volunteered to watch the children of our church  so that we,the parents, could have a date night! What a blessing!!! Now you get the Woo Hoo. It was so nice to be out and be able to talk w/ no interruptions and just relax. One of the teens watched our chillins a little earlier so I could get to The National Running Center before they closed. I am so excited to finally have been able to get new running shoes.  Mine were not doing so hot!! Thankyou Efree youth!! I love you!!!

I am so silly , I know. I just love my camera and documenting moments and going to the Running Center is a big one for me!! I cannot wait until I actually look like and feel like  I belong there. LOL While I was there there were alot of serious runners in there.It was a hoppin place.

Afterwards ,we met up with some friends and went to Damons and then we had more time left so we hung out at Krispy Kreme and had coffee. And because Beth Moore says I cannot lie this week I must tell you that yes ,donuts were involved. I am so bummed because I have more pics I want to add but I have been having an awful time uploading. I recently had a tempory Lightroom but now it is expired and so the computer is having a hard time going back to the other way of uploading. **SIGH** Running out of patience and time. So tired!!!

This weekend has been rough with a party Friday Night and then going out tonight. Hopefully I can remember the menus. It has been crazy and full of excitement here. I cannot wait to share why. Hopefully tomorrow you will hear about  a wonderful new journey I am going on.

Friday Day 21 Breakfast ~ South Beach Bar,  coffee

Lunch ~ Progresso Soup & tortilla chips sugar cookie

Dinner~ 1/2 of slice of pizza 2 wings a bit of caramel corn and 3 slices of yummy apple and 1 sugar cookie

I ran/walked 2.65 miles on treadmill. This was done again at 10:00 at night. Thank you , Thank you for the accountability. It was actually kind of nice;everyone was asleep so it was quiet and I got to watch whatever I wanted. :0)

Sat. Day 22 Breakfast ~ South Beach Bar, coffee

Lunch ~ Boca Burger on light multigrain english Muffin w/ ketchup and 1 slice of cheese

Dinner~ Salad,2 slices of Quesadilla,carrots ,chicken,1/4 of a baked potatoe

Dessert ~ coffee and about 4 bites of donut

I ran/walked 3.25 miles on treadmill

"Snow" Much Fun!!!

Finally ,we got some snow worth talking about!!! It is about time!! I decided to give the kids a snow day. Jonah was so excited to make snow angels! He looks so angelic in that deep white snow. :0)

His angel needed a face he decided.

Shoveling the yard. lol I should have sent him to the driveway.

Who is that masked man???

He can leap snow jumps in a single bound!!

Yay !!! Meg came to play!!

She is so cute!! This is after she wrecked,laughing all the way!!

 Couldn't get Livy off of that snowboard.

She was pretty excited when she started making it down w/out a wipeout!

I love snow days!!!

Day 20 My Sweet Tooth is Acting Up!!!!!

 I am dragging .Tired !! It is during that time when I crave sweets. Definetely a dangerous time to bake but that is what I want to do. Day 20 went like this:
Breakfast ~ South Beach bar coffee and snuck some cookie batter out of the fridge. Just keeping it real! And I have been challenged by Beth Moore not to lie for a whole week. After that I can lie all I want . LOLOL Just kidding!!!!
Lunch ~ Progresso Light soup ( Santa Fe Chicken is my fav!!)  and tortilla chips and snuck some more batter. BLAH!!! Something sweet and salty!
Dinner ~ Was invited out to dinner by some wonderful friends. :0) We went to Applebees and I had some sort of a chicken Mexican Salad. I ate half and brought the rest home. I also had a Dessert shooter.mmmmmm Strawberry Cheesecake. That is a yummy little shotglass of a taste of dessert. What a great idea!! For only 2 bucks!!!

Well, I am itching to up the level on my treadmill  but I still haven't gotten to the Running Store to get me some new running shoes yet. So, what I decided to do was to stay on the treadmill longer.I did the WL program on Level 2 for 60 minutes. I ran 3.25 miles. I am in awe when I think of the difference from that first day of running and now. Woo Hooo!! It does get easier and more enjoyable. Oh , Oh , Oh  I did not mention that I must have burned so many calories laughing this evening!!! It was a much needed retreat and the laughter was so good for my soul!! Thank you !! It was a very long day in this house!!!

Day 20 leaves me with lotts of thoughts and one is this. As I look at my Blog Archives and see Journey to 40 & Sporty over and over again ... I am getting a little tired of it. I am sorry if you are. It feels a bit vain but I hope you know that is never my intent. Such accountability I am finding in doing this and I hope that my sharing this journey can help someone  in some way. My desire is to glorify God in all that I do and I know that being overweight and out of shape  has really gotten in the way of my hearts longing to do so. Right or wrong. I know this is not Gods best for me.. So,to work I go on rebuilding this temple. I am praying that I do not lose that focus because w/out that focused mind it will all fall apart.  Gods balance is beautiful and that is the prayer in my heart when I pray about this journey. To be fit for my King!!!

Day 18 & 19 ( I can't believe I am writing that!!!!! Part 2)

 

It is a snow day today !!! YAY!!!!! Finally we have some snow worth talking about. I feel so happy today and Black Eyed Susans make me happy so I chose this shot for today. All of the snow shots I am going to take today deserve their own post!!! :0) I am so excited about this day! But I think I have too many plans. First I am cancelling school , I am going to clean my room and the schoolroom, I will do some lesson planning, I plan to go outside and play  and take some shots of the beauty and fun., And definetely I am going to make cookies w/ my new Kitchen Aid. I found this really cute recipe for Melted Snowman Cookies that I found  at one of my favorite blogs.http://mycrazyadoption.org/   Did I mention that I would also like to make homemade bread oh and not to mention that I did not excercise yet.

Yes, I cannot believe I am writing about Day 18!!! I am more than 1/2 way to 30 and they say that once you do something for a month it becomes a habit!! I hope it is true because I cannot wait until excercise is like second nature to me!! Like I said in the last post I have been really pondering why all of the sudden I have this motivation and here is what I am finding........... As I look back I see that this has definetely been a journey w/ many steps and many layers.  And right now I just have to say  that I hesitate writing this w/ fear that tomorrow this motivation could be gone. **Sigh** I have been on this roller coaster all too long w/ many ups and downs. But anywho....the journey.. I realized not too long ago that I have always thought I was fat. About 11 years ago my friends daughters asked if she could borrow my old cheerleading uniform for Halloween. I said ,"Sure but you will  need lotts of pins because it will be way too big for you." This girl is a string bean. Well, guess what... it fit her perfectly . She needed no pins whatsoever. I was so sad to realize how much time and energy I had waisted thinking I was fat when I should have just enjoyed being a girl and  being who it was that God had created me to be. At that moment I knew there was something wrong w/ my mind and my thought process. I don't know when or how but at some point I started believing the lies that I am sure Satan enjoyed getting me to believe.  I believed the lies that I wasn't good enough and I believed the lies that said that beauty wasn't about your heart but about what you look like, what size you are.  And which has led me here. When you do not feel good about yourself it is hard to take good care of yourself.

Another part of this process is believing! One of my favorite verses is is Phillippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Oh, I have really loved that verse but I realize that I have not really believed it. I quoted it so often but did not really believe it!!  With all of that said , I certainly do not feel I have fully overcome these things but a clicking moment has happened and I am ready to rebuild this Temple! It is a wonderful feeling but know I need lotts of prayer!!

DAY 18

For breakfast on ~ I had a South Beach Bar and coffee

For Lunch ~ I had Progresso Soup and tortilla chips w/ some of that stinkin mustard dip

For dinner ~ Flank Steak, mashed potatoes and corn

Snack ~ 1/4 C or less of cashews

I ran 2.65 miles on the treadmill

DAY 19

Breakfast ~ South Beach Bar coffee

Lunch ~ Progresso Soup , Tortilla chips w/ that evil dip

Dinner ~ Omelet and Turkey Bacon

For excercise I went outside to play and for a walk enjoying the beautiful snow!!!!

Day 16 & 17 ( I can't believe I am writing that!!!! Part 1)

I am wanting to make cookies with the kids for Valentines Day but am feeling like I would be entering Danger Zone. Boy I could go for a yummy cookie to dip in my coffee about now. :0)How about 4 or 5.lol

Wow !!! I can't believe that it has been 17 days and I have excercised on all 17 of them. Oh wait  I did miss one that's right. But still 16  out of 17 still feels pretty good!! And I have to say , " If I can do it , anyone can."  Sometimes I get frustrated when I hear others say that so I am sorry . But that is truly how I feel. I had every excuse in the book why it was so hard for me to excercise. I know now that they were all lies. Lies that I truly believed. The bottom line for me  is this : It is definetely the will of God to be healthy and in good shape so therefore, He will give me what I need to accomplish that. The key is that I need to obey and let Him help me. I could do none of it w/ out His strength.  I don't know why I could not get motivated  until now. I know He was always there ready to help. I have been thinking about that because I have had plenty of things over the years that should have motivated me.. A cruise, a reunion,weddings, my love for swimming,fit into clothes or how about the time someone in the grocery store asked me if I was preggo, or oh yeah  the time a grandmother told the kids that they were beautiful but their mother was fat, and let's not forget every year on the 4th of July when every single person from your past who knew you back in the day is up on the Green in town. LOL Boy , I am feeling a little vulnerable right now and like maybe I am being too real!!!   Well, to be honest , some of those times just made me very depressed and you know how motivated you are when you are depressed. And I think alot of the other times just led to stress because I did not believe that I could do it. And unfortunely when I am stressed sometimes I eat. because that certainly will solve everything. LOL   I think at times I forget that one of my favorite sayings  is WHY WORRY WHEN YOU CAN PRAY and not  WHY PRAY WHEN YOU CAN EAT or get on Facebook.   Boy I think it is time for me to shutup before I divulge all of my weaknesses. And now I have said a bad word. I love that my kids get all upset when someone says that "bad word."  : 0)  Anywho, I have been thinking about and wondering why all of the sudden I feel motivated and am actually doing something about it.Here are my thoughts: Actually  this is turning into a very long post so I will share my thoughts next time. I have to get out of Blogland and into Get ready for the day land.
Sunday Day 16
2 peanutbutter spoons and coffee and a couple of handfuls of Quaker Oat Squares
Spagetti w/ sauce
 South Beach Peanutbutter bar and Superbowl snackings: 1 wing ,crackers and Mildreds Marvelous Mustard Dip, a spoonful of sloppy joe w/out a roll , Tortilla chips and Marys Marvelous Mexican Dip, a rootbeer float w/ diet rootbeer and fat free frozen yogurt
I walked 30 minutes on the treadmill
Monday Day 17
Peanutbutter spoon and 1/2 C QOsquares and coffee
Progresso Soup w/ some tortilla chips
2 peanut butter SB bars 1/4 C smoothie and Angel Food cake ( I was starving when I got home from The Biggest Loser Club and working out)
I must confess that I snacked a bit here and there on Mildreds Mustard Dip and crackers throughout the day. It is all Livys fault. She asked to bring leftovers home. lol This stuff ought to be illegal !!!!! Livy forgets all about manners in its presence. :0\
I ran a little bit more than 4 miles today ( trying to give myself a Last Chance Workout. I screamed " This is your last chance" while doing it . LOL) and then did a crazy kick buttin excercise Dvd w/ all of my Loser friends after weigh in.

Journey to 40 and Sporty Days 14 & 15

Couldn't resist!! Was going through my pics trying to find one for today because as you know my posts just feel naked w/out a shot!! I saw this and knew it was the one! Why ?? Well, number one I saw Barbie and became somewhat angry. I just got back from Red Lobster. Had a wonderful time w/ my Hubby and my Daddy celebrating our birthdays. We decided that this is really a great tradition. The last time we were at Red Lobster was last year for our birthdays. But I think we should celebrate our 1/2 birthdays as well!! LOL  I really think I did pretty well tonight w/ my menu but still enjoying my favorite restaurant.I had grilled shrimp,lobster and crab leggs. Ok ,yes I must admit I had one of those sinful bisquits w/ my salad. Oh yeah, and 2 stuffed mushrooms. Maybe it wasn't so great but  let me tell you I wanted to have another bisquit but didn't and another mushroom and didn't. Which ,I must confess makes me a little angry because I have to work so hard at this and then there's ..... BARBIE!!!! Good thing Livy got rid of hers because if not I think I would  grab one and rip it's leg off. LOL Seriously, I had V8 juice for breakfast and a South Beach Bar for lunch and drank lotts of water all in preparation for my big birthday dinner. Oh and to top it off I watched Dad and hubby eat dessert. Dad had the volcanoe giant chocolate chip cookie w/ ice cream and Guy David had the Apple caramel pie w/ ice cream. I took a couple of tiny bites of each. I mean tiny! I also ran this morning for 2.65 miles.   I thought of getting back on the treadmill tonight but I am not. I am soooo tired!!  My frustration is this..... even with my best efforts of trying to be as good as possible, that one meal might just have ruined all of my efforts for the whole week. Then , there is BARBIE!!! Let's just say I wish I was one of those girls who can eat whatever they want and look like they are related to ......... BARBIE!!!!! So ,now for the second reason I chose this shot..... because my brother makes me laugh !!!!!  I love to laugh!!!! Isn't he a dork????

Yesterday, I also ran 2.65 miles. for breakfast I had scrambled eggs w/ 1 egg w/ 2 small yolks and 1 egg white and a littel bit of 1 % milk. For lunch I had progresso light soup w/ a couple of tortilla chips. For dinnerI had rotisserie chicken. We had small group last night so I planned ahead and got Angel Food cake to go along w/ the other snack being brought knowing that Angel Food cake would be a better choice. I rehearsed it all in my head ;how I would avoid the brownies or cookies or cake and choose Angels food. LOL Well , I was not prepared at all for what happened!!!!!!! Not at all!!!!!! My friend showed up with one of my very favorite things of all time. Something I stayed away from at Guy David's party but have dreamed about ever since. AWWWWW!!! It was ... Are you ready for this??........ HOMEMADE, FRESH OUT THE OVEN, CINNAMON BUNS!!!!!!!!! WHAT , you've got to be kidding!!!!!! I thought I was going to have a panic attack. LOL So ,here is what I did... I had a wee small piece of the food for angels and then I took a walk over to the dark side ( hehee) and I had a sliver of a stinkin' cinnamon roll making sure to get part of the middle. (((SIGH))) I hope the scale is good to me because I really do want to be the Biggest Loser and spend a day at the spa in the worst way!!!!! Would it be wrong to ask you to pray for me on this after my walk over to the dark side??? LOL

The Light of My Life

 I love this picture!!! I took this at the Bahamas when we went on our cruise. Look at that water!! **sigh**  Lighthouses are such a reminder to me of the way God gently leads me and that  if I take my eyes off of him I quickly get lost. This week has been such a reminder to me of how much I need his guidance. I know that w/out Him and His strength and His guidance that this week  I would have:

~ bought a bag of swedish fish and hid it from my children and ate the whole thing

~ ordered a Bacon Cheese Angus Burger at Mcy Ds instead of a salad

~ I would have NEVER excercised at 9 something at night

~ I would have stayed home from Taebo last night to clean but would have ended up on the computer or something like that

 ~ I would not being praying about an outing to Red Lobster I will be making on Sat and studying the menu and preparing to make healthy choices

I also know this......... Yesterday , I had a crappy day. Have you ever had one of those times when someone has done or said something that made you feel so small maybe even invisible?? Well, yesterday it happened to me. It certainly wasn't the first time but it never gets easier. At that moment I struggled with many things.  #1 I was tempted to say something sneakingly sarcastic to make a point

#2  To cry

#3 to be mad and make it known

#4 to eat cookies

# 5 to be bitter

Well, I decided to pray to myself ( well you know what i mean ~ to GOD of course but quietly to myself) at that moment and I was able to take my thoughts captive and I do not think anyone knew what I was feeling which is something that usually doesn't happen. I wear it all in my expression and body language etc. It is a curse alot of the times. Especially when I  know that what I am feeling is not Godly. I caught myself thinking.." I would never do that !!!" The Lord very gently reminded me of a time not too long ago when I said something w/ out thinking that could have been very offensive. But thankfully the person I said it to knew me well enough to know how I meant it and grace was given freely. He also reminded me of why I said it....... I was stressed and had alot on my mind.  So , I chose to give grace and was given  a longing to rid my frustrations on the treadmill and not with cookies.  Let me be real here and say that I did not actually get on the treadmill but the longing was there and later I chose to go to Tae bo.

Journey to 40 and Sporty Day 13

 Day 13 was a busy one but I made it through. For breakfast I had a cheese stick and cofffee. For lunch I had a Southwest Salad. ( Ok I am addicted) For dinner I had a South Beach Peanutbutter Bar and a couple of handfuls of Quaker Oat squares. Not a real great menu but....
 I went to Taebo last night. It was a struggle to get there as I had so many things to do but I did and had alot of fun ! Again I am so grateful  for you blogland and blog friends. Thank you for your accountability!!

Journey to 40 and Sporty Day 12

 I am longing for the carefree days of Summer.Here is one of the shots I took back in the summer while I was enjoying my online photography class. I am longing for those kind of days.  Though, I am excited about the snow we just got. I need to get out there with my camera.

Well, on day 12 I made sure and got on that treadmill in the morning . I wasn't up for a late date at 9 something pm w/ the treadmill again. I ran my WL program again for 50 minutes and got in 2.65 miles. I am ready to up the level but I tried last week and I was feeling it in my shins. Last year, I got shin splints so bad that I would be close to tears just walking to another room. I sooo do not want that to happen again. It is a given that I need new running shoes and that would be a # 1 cause for shin splints. So, I plan to wait to take it up a level until I make a visit to the Running Center.I am hoping that will be very soon!!!

Menu for day 12:

Breakfast: We ran out of eggs so I had left over grilled chicken and gaarlic w/ 2 slices ( thin) of red. fat block cheese on a 1/2 of a sandwhich thin

Lunch: Popcorn and some peanuts I wasn't too hungry because I ate a late breakfast

Dinner: Chicken Fajitas and sweet potatoe chips ( I baked slices of sweet potatoes w/ sprinkle of cinnamon on them) Yummy Yummy dinner!!!!

Journey to 40 and Sporty Day 11

I will never forget this day when I took this shot . My dh and I were on our way for a big date. We were going Christmas shopping so it wasn't some romantic getaway but any time we are out w/ out the chillins is a big deal and we call it a date. As soon as we reached our little town the sky was filled w/ such a vibrant red and orange. We thought there was a fire. So we investigated and realized that it was the most beautiful sunset we had ever seen. Why at that moment  did I not get my camera out??? , I have no idea and it will be something I regret forever. But as we traveled out of town and enjoyed this sight , I remembered that I had my camera. My hubby pulled over  and tromped down a bank through bushes and prickers w/ me so I could get the very best shot I could at that spot. This shot  by no means gives it justice!!

I picked this shot for today because long after the sun went down last night, I got on my treadmill and ran 2.65 miles. I finished after 10 o'clock. Who is that girl?????? I have no clue!!! But , I really think I like her! I did not excercise yesterday morning because I was  doing other things . I decided I would do it later. Well, later never happened and around 8:45 I realized that I did not excercise. Boy ,the temptation was there to just forget about it. I just couldn't. I sat on the couch w/ my sneakers in my hands for 15 minutes and finally after about 10 min. , I started to pray!! Then, it happened, I did it!! I thought, ok I will just walk for 30 minutes and then I told myself " If you are going to get on that blasted thing at 9 o'clock at night you better make it count." So, I set it for my WL program for 50 minutes and ran w/ walk break intervals. When I got done I felt like that sunset and worshipped!!

Yesterdays menu was this:

Breakfast ~  It was a busy morning so I had coffee and a couple of peanut butter spoons

Lunch ~ Whole wheat spaghetti w/ about 1/4 C of sauce and 1/2 C grilled chicken and sauted garlic

Dinner ~ Southwest Salad w/ grilled chicken

I seem to be doing better w/ limiting carbs but I definetely need to add more veggies and really want to keep points. I am finding that I am not that hungry. That is great but could be bad too  if I do not eat enough to keep my metabolism going. So the points would help w/ that.

Journey to 40 and Sporty Day 10

I am not a fan of posting w/out pics . It just does not feel right. I will have to brainstorm some ideas for these posts. Any ideas?? Well, I made up for yesterday today!! And I wonder if today could count for tomorrow as well. LOL I ran 2.65 on my treadmill this morning and then tonight I went to my Boggest Loser Club and did a Jillian Michaels workout. She kicked my butt and I am sooooo sore!!!!
I have exciting news!!! Tonight I am down 3 lbs. So since the first week of January I have lost 6 or 7 pounds!!! I am so glad because I was starting to let discouragement set in. Thanks for reminding me about measurements Wendy. They measured me the first night of the Biggest Loser Club so I need to measure myself again. One of the girls shared that she has lost 2 inches on her bumpster. ( lol That is what Jonah and all his little friends in Sunday School call it.) So  maybe I would be surprised. Has anyone ever tried Zumba??? Thinking of trying it.
For breakfast today I had oatmeal and 1/2 of a sand.thin toasted w/ a thin layer of peanut butter on it.
For lunch I had Taco Salad again.  : ) And I had Spaghetti for dinner along w/ a couple of spoonfuls of ice cream.  So glad I am seeing results on the scale but I have to say w/ or w/out the scale, I feel so much better! My clothes are loser.I have more energy. I am sleeping better.I feel happier.etc,etc.,etc.,etc. I am rebuilding my temple and it feels good!!  I can do all things through Christ !!!

Journey to 40 and Sporty Day 9

Well , this morning I got up and decided to try and finish scrubbing the floors before it was time to get ready for church and that I would excercise  later. After church I had to run to Joannes to get a black soft piece of fabric. I get to "shoot" a friends new baby on Tuesday and want a black cloth. So excited by the way!! I am trying to build a portfolio to further my journey to hopefully be able to volunteer for NILMDTS. So ,after running around and doing some lesson planning at the bookstore, I start to head home.Knowing I had time when I get home to get on the treadmill. Well on my way home , I started to feel awful sick!!! Thought I would have to pull over a couple of times to get sick.Sweating,clammy and headache. Prayed my way home. My contacts were bothering me ,so I think one wasn't on right and it all had to do w/ that. Not seeing right...headache ... nauseas. ( DID I spell that right??) So, I am sad to say....no excercise. Went right to bed.I plan to do more today to make up for it.

Ate well yesterday.
Breakfast ~ Turkey and red fat cheese coffee
Lunch ~ Taco salad
Dinner~ Well not great... wanted to wait to eat dinner when I got home so I had a little bit of cashews and string cheese for a snack on my way home before I started feeling awful.