My Blog - I MISS YOU!

OMG - It has been quite a while since I was last on here! I miss you, my blog - and followers :). I have been doing well but have been quite busy to say the least...So in the last couple of months I have experienced quite a bit...Our best couple friend from NC moved to TX...(I am finally now in the "acceptance stage" and have stopped crying)...I joined a sewing class (don't laugh)...I visited by bestest girl-friend and sister after 18 months...I am attending the Family to Family class sponsored by NAMI. It's a class for people who have a family member with a mental illnesses (more on than later)...And we have stepped up our involvement with the college ministry...Work...well, work has been interesting...I have been helping out with some other stuff and that has kept me quite busy...So with all of that going on, I have not had a moment to write...And I miss it so much! There have been so many moments when I wanted to write...where I have been motivated, and inspired to write something...But I was just at the wrong place...or was too tired :(


Soooo, update on my 30 pound challenge - I have hit the 170something on the scale!!! I am super-duper excited about that. Today the scale said I WAS 176.6!!! WHO-HOO! Earlier this year (January), I was around 194. Then in April I decided that for my 30th birthday I would attempt to change my lifestyle and embrace a healthier way of living. With that I joined the Y and started working out 3-4 times a week. Then my next challenge was to simply be more mindful of what I eat. I didn't want to go on a crazy diet...Because I know that even though you may lose weight, you end up putting it right back on...But truly, the real thing that is working for me is that my goal is not to lose weight...That is actually secondary to my REAL goal - of being healthy, and taking care of the temple God gave me.

 Trust me, changing your lifestyle is no easy feat...It was a struggle to keep myself motivated to exercise consistently...But once I did it, I felt so good...But needless to say, getting myself up and going is 90 percent of the battle! I am now at a place where I don't have to try as hard. Don't get me wrong, there are some days when I have to push myself out the door kicking and screaming...But for the most part, I actually look forward to when I can exercise...I feel so good...And often times if I am in a blah mood, I feel really happy afterwards!

The one thing I didn't mention before that I am also doing, is that I am taking a medication called metformin. I heard the nutritionist talk about it when I went to a pre-diabetes class...As well as two other doctors in my life recommended it. It's a pill taken mostly by diabetics but one of the "side effects" is weight loss. I believe that has probably helped me to shed at least 10 pounds. My next weight loss goal is to hit 170 by the end of the year. My husband promises to give me a shopping spree if I hit this goal! I don't have far to go...But once I see the 160something on the scale I would knows that I have reached this goal and celebrate that with him :)

With the family to family class on Tuesdays, bible class on Wednesdays, sewing class on Thursdays and the college devos every other Friday, it has been quite a challenge to keep up with exercise. But the one day of the week that I absolutely look forward to is Monday! That's the only day my husband and I don't have something going on...And we have spent the last few Mondays walking together. I look forward to just spending that time with him walking, jogging, and just talking with him. One of the Mondays we talked about taking a trip to Europe...and me with my randomness and said - I think we should go to the Olympics. Next thing, we were setting the wheels in motion to get to England and applying for tickets!!! (We didn't get any though - not enough to go around)... Wives - if you are looking for a way to build intimacy with your husband, exercise is a great way! We have had some great conversations, uninterrupted by phone, tv and our number one distraction - THE INTERET...We talk about us, work, life, and other trivial randomness. It's no wonder that I look forward to Mondays so much! I don't know what we are going to do now that it's getting cold :(.

Recently we have done alot of fun stuff...Like the John Legend/Sade concert, the comedy club, we are going to a marriage dinner this weekend, and next weekend we are going to another comedy show. FUN, FUN, FUN! That's how you stay young in your marriage :). Don't forget your play time ladies...Whatever little things you can do to play together do it...whether its a movie at home, sharing dessert, working out at the gym, running, walking, swimming...Play goes a long way in maintaining a happy marriage...I can attest to that. We spend alot of time individually and together working at work, and working for the Lord...Never forget to take time to just work on your marriage in these simple and fun ways :)

I promised myself to dedicate an entire post to this - but I just have to mention it here...I had such a WONDERFUL time when I visited by BFF labor day weekend. I felt like there was a hug in my heart for weeks after...It was so special to me to be able to share her space and be with her. Tammy, is one of the most wonderful people in this world, and I am totally stoked that she has chosen to love me as a sister. I totally surprised her by showing up at her doorstep...And to see her facial expression was priceless. We have been friends for the past 16 years! I absolutely treasure her friendship and her family. She is the sister God chose to bless me with...Just spending that weekend with her was filled with so much love, joy, and laughter, that I promised myself that I will never let so much time go without us seeing each other. I look forward to my next visit...And of course having her here with me :)

 There is lots more I want to talk about but I will try to write more soon J. Until later – Bye!