I have been pondering 2 things...
1st one...a song by Rita Springer.
The first line says "I dont understand your ways, oh but I will give you my song, give you all of my praise."
It goes on to say that I am desperatly seeking your face and it's all going to be worth it...no matter what.
I dont understand why God has us staying here. I would think the best thing for the kids would be to in the school they are going to stay in. But I dont understand His ways... so Im just going to praise Him and seek His face knowing that beyond a shadow of a doubt that Hope does NOT dissapoint and it is going to be worth it!!
The other thing was a quote I read... the gist of it goes somehing like this:
Life isnt full or periods, but rather commas.
Not sure what I think about that one. What are your thoughts? True.... not so much... or not so sure!? :o) Im definitly pondering that one!
Oh.. and Im working on a song... but feeling a little block. Writing has never been easy for me... except when God gives it to me.... and I feel like He gave me a little and Im just waiting on the rest... cause nothing else seems to fit! Miss Madi tried to help me today. Oh my. She is so cute... but it was so funny. I wanted to share her lyrics:
(The "theme" of the song is about everyone being worth it becuase God made them.)
You are cute and nice.
God loves you.
I love you.
La la la deee da.
You rock and i want to be your friend.
La la la de dededede daa daaaaaAAAAA
Yup. I love my kid. She even made me write them down and put "the little letters above it" (the chords).
I asked her to sing it to the camera and she got shy and ran away. :o)
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Back to school!
Pug was sad that her girls left!
Tink was waiting for her girls to come back and was talking to me telling me to bring them back!
This is what Madi picked out for herself to wear last night. Uhhhh... no.
Breakfast @ School
Concentrating on Math
Mr. Daddy & Ms. Pug, the math teacher, & the teachers aide!
This was her final choice for an outfit. Hey... at least it matched.
I told her to pose for me.. so she was like, wait..I need to think of a pose!
This was the very much thought about pose!
Going to school!!
More math... Monday and Tuesdays are math days cause Daddy is better with math than mommy. :o)
FIRST DAY
1st day of 8th grade....
1st day of 4th grade....
1st day of 3rd grade HOMESCHOOL!
Mike and I got up bright and early toembarass see the oldest off to school. She didnt want us to walk her to the bus, so I told her ok, but I need to take a picture of you before you leave. Nerd left before I could snap any. So... the "dogs had to go to the potty" and they just happened to have to go near the bus stop... and I just happened to have my camera. :oD LOVE IT.
So... the oldest one is gone.... the 4th grader is getting ready now, and my little homeschooler is sleeping away! :o) I will def post pics of Madi on her first day... but I cant post pics of the other two. :o)
1st day of 4th grade....
1st day of 3rd grade HOMESCHOOL!
Mike and I got up bright and early to
So... the oldest one is gone.... the 4th grader is getting ready now, and my little homeschooler is sleeping away! :o) I will def post pics of Madi on her first day... but I cant post pics of the other two. :o)
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Musically Pink
I have been working so hard at promoting my Photography business... and I think I have to add a litte shameless self-promo here too... haha!
I LOVE to take pictures. I have loved it since I was a little kid and my aunt would let me use her old school big ol' camera with all the cool buttons and lenses. Since those days, I have graduated to my own dslr with all the cool buttons and lenses... and I seem to be attached to it. Its always with me!!
I am available all over the South Central PA area...and beyond!!
Right now, I am building my portfolio, so my photo shoots are super duper cheap!!
The deal is:
$50 bucks get you unlimited photo changes, unlimited time in the location of your choice!
1 8x10 printed of your choice
All your photos on a CD with the rights to make as many prints as you choose!!
(I also have very inexpensive print packages!)
This package is good for just about any type of photo shoot... except weddings, of course!!
For family shoots, if there is more than 3 kids, I will need to charge $10 extra per child for all those super fun and cute individual prints!
(We can work out a deal if you have a ton of extra kids..lol!)
If wedding bells are ringing for you, right now would be the BEST time to book me!
The Wedding Package
All day covereage, including pre-wedding, wedding, and reception.
All your photos on CD.
3 8x10s
A book of 50-100 proofs of the best of your photos.
An engagement photo shoot with all your photos on CD.
1 8x10
All for $500!!
(Add-ons available too!)Here are a few of my fav captures!
More than an hour or so from Central PA?
NO PROBLEM!Gather up a few friends, pick a weekend that works for everyone, and I will come to you!!!
More than 4 photo shoots (other than yours) and yours is FREE!!!
Seniors, maternity, newborn, family, birthday, sports, quinceanera, anniversary... and more.
Dont let the even the smallest event pass without capturing every moment.
Find me on:
FLICKR
FACEBOOK
BLOGSPOT
Friday, August 27, 2010
Sleepless in....
I have been struggling with sleep again.
I am sitting here almost noon and I cant get up becuase I am flat out exhausted. I got about 4.5 hours last night. The night before... I got a decent amount... but it was great sleep. And before than... another maybe 5.
I hate when I get in a cycle like this. Im snippy and snappy and usually feel sick to my stomach. :o(
Praying the stomach ache goes away and that I can get tons of sleep tonight and tomorrow.
Still no house.... which is probably the reason for the lack of sleep.
I need apositive note in here... so.... I love my BFF. Really, I am so blessed by her so very very often!!
I am sitting here almost noon and I cant get up becuase I am flat out exhausted. I got about 4.5 hours last night. The night before... I got a decent amount... but it was great sleep. And before than... another maybe 5.
I hate when I get in a cycle like this. Im snippy and snappy and usually feel sick to my stomach. :o(
Praying the stomach ache goes away and that I can get tons of sleep tonight and tomorrow.
Still no house.... which is probably the reason for the lack of sleep.
I need apositive note in here... so.... I love my BFF. Really, I am so blessed by her so very very often!!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
A Girl & Her Mimi
My mom and I have had our differences and have had stuggles in the past, but the love she has for me, Mike, and her one and only Forever grandchild tumps is all!
(I am an only child... so, as she puts it..."my only hope for 100 grandbabies"!!)
(I am an only child... so, as she puts it..."my only hope for 100 grandbabies"!!)
Best 8 bucks ever...
Madi has always loves to go to the car wash with her Mimi. My mom makes up stories while in it about dancing girls in fringy skirts and flirty octupusses waving to the mermaids. And it doesnt help that my mom is crazy and makes weird noises and voices and just generally could paint drying fun and exciting for a kid!
The last couple of times I have gone, its been alone or just with Madi... before that, everyone was in school. So last night, I told Mike to stop and go through the wash because the car was nasty and the girls got excited... turns out the other 2 have never been through an automatic car wash!!!
Let me just say... that was THE BEST 8 Bucks I have ever spent.
They truly had a blast. 5 mins of wonder and laughter and lots of questions.
It really is the little things that get me as a foster parent. Never having been through a car wash. Never going out to a sit down resturaunt. Never eating fresh fruit picked straight from a tree.
We have really been trying to prepare these two for life outside of our home.
We have taught them to properly do dishes.
How to do laundry and get out stains.
The best way to dust and clean a floor.
How to fix things... how to change a light bulb (SAFELY)... how to live life.
We fully expect them to go back to a home where they may have to parent themselves and I hope (i hope i hope) that the skills we have taught them carry them safely through.
And the experiences they have had with us will show them what a family is. And someday will be able to parent their children like we have parented them.
(This is how we choose to foster all of our kids. This is the model and plan we have set up for every kid that comes here. Teaching kids to SAFELY be self-sufficiant while be watched and cared for and monitered here... this is not just specific to our current kids!!)
The last couple of times I have gone, its been alone or just with Madi... before that, everyone was in school. So last night, I told Mike to stop and go through the wash because the car was nasty and the girls got excited... turns out the other 2 have never been through an automatic car wash!!!
Let me just say... that was THE BEST 8 Bucks I have ever spent.
They truly had a blast. 5 mins of wonder and laughter and lots of questions.
It really is the little things that get me as a foster parent. Never having been through a car wash. Never going out to a sit down resturaunt. Never eating fresh fruit picked straight from a tree.
We have really been trying to prepare these two for life outside of our home.
We have taught them to properly do dishes.
How to do laundry and get out stains.
The best way to dust and clean a floor.
How to fix things... how to change a light bulb (SAFELY)... how to live life.
We fully expect them to go back to a home where they may have to parent themselves and I hope (i hope i hope) that the skills we have taught them carry them safely through.
And the experiences they have had with us will show them what a family is. And someday will be able to parent their children like we have parented them.
(This is how we choose to foster all of our kids. This is the model and plan we have set up for every kid that comes here. Teaching kids to SAFELY be self-sufficiant while be watched and cared for and monitered here... this is not just specific to our current kids!!)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Anxiety Buster
Thanks for the comments and love.
Still no house.. but we are waiting on another call and we are going to look at another one tomorrow.
We had a lot of amped up behaviors... I think its anxiety. Im a pretty calm easy going person (though it may not seem like it on here.. but this is where I get rid of my anxiety... and how I destress. Thinking about it... I probably come across totally nuerotic!! lol!) but this whole process has me super stressed and anxious myself. Not only do I know that the kids pick up on my emotions, I think they are feeling all kids of emotions of their own!! They are totally living in the unknown right now. They may be starting school in their old school, or they may be starting a new one. They may miss their first day of school, or they may start one place and switch on another. (Stresses me out just typing it!)
Today I had to take one of the kids to the dentist and had planned on going home afterwards and packing and cleaning.
Instead... we took the kids for a walk and ended up finding the PERFECT tree to climb! It was so much fun. Then... random puppy attack! lol! My kids and cute dogs seem to attract each other like magnets!
Still no house.. but we are waiting on another call and we are going to look at another one tomorrow.
We had a lot of amped up behaviors... I think its anxiety. Im a pretty calm easy going person (though it may not seem like it on here.. but this is where I get rid of my anxiety... and how I destress. Thinking about it... I probably come across totally nuerotic!! lol!) but this whole process has me super stressed and anxious myself. Not only do I know that the kids pick up on my emotions, I think they are feeling all kids of emotions of their own!! They are totally living in the unknown right now. They may be starting school in their old school, or they may be starting a new one. They may miss their first day of school, or they may start one place and switch on another. (Stresses me out just typing it!)
Today I had to take one of the kids to the dentist and had planned on going home afterwards and packing and cleaning.
Instead... we took the kids for a walk and ended up finding the PERFECT tree to climb! It was so much fun. Then... random puppy attack! lol! My kids and cute dogs seem to attract each other like magnets!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Maybe.... Probably.... YES?
SO... today we went to see the other house. (I talked about a few blogs ago...)
Funny Story First....
I had written down the house number... 1258. The landlady said this is a nice house, it just need a little work on the porch, but everything else is nice... and well kept, and that they have put a lot of work into the house. So the other day the girls and I drove past it and were like, UGH! It looked so junky and NOT nice. But I wanted to keep an open mind... maybe the inside was gorgeous.
So today, we pulled up to 1258 and knocked on the door... and a VERY confunsed man comes out. Uh... not the right house. So... Mike and I were like.. hmm... maybe it was 1268 (yea, I have a bit of dyslexia). We walked a few houses down to find a nice looking detached home that was clean and well kept. OOPS... lol... and I am SO glad I did not judge and decide not to go see the house.
When we got to the right house, we were greeted by the landlords... a very very nice lady (who went to school with my mom... small world!!!) and her hubby. They were nice and talkative... and they fell in love with Tink and Madi!!
This house is so cheap for us... and no security deposit. Yea... none. So pretty much, $850 to move in... insetad of $2,000 like we had expected to have to pay for other places!
So after talking it over with my mom and mikes parents, we decided to take it!
Now, we are just waiting on a call back from them. We have been here before, havent we? Oh man.
I guess I should feel confident... we spent about an hour and half with this couple and they loved us and loved Madi. All 3 girls were so well behaved and were polite and calm and I think that impressed them. They told us that they werent even going to call anyone else or show it to anyone else until we called.
So we called. She hasnt called back.
I realllllly am trying NOT freak out.
She'll call. WOnt she?
Oh man.
Im done. Lol! :o)
Oh.. we will move in the essentials this coming weekend just in time for the girls to start school on Monday!! :o)
Funny Story First....
I had written down the house number... 1258. The landlady said this is a nice house, it just need a little work on the porch, but everything else is nice... and well kept, and that they have put a lot of work into the house. So the other day the girls and I drove past it and were like, UGH! It looked so junky and NOT nice. But I wanted to keep an open mind... maybe the inside was gorgeous.
So today, we pulled up to 1258 and knocked on the door... and a VERY confunsed man comes out. Uh... not the right house. So... Mike and I were like.. hmm... maybe it was 1268 (yea, I have a bit of dyslexia). We walked a few houses down to find a nice looking detached home that was clean and well kept. OOPS... lol... and I am SO glad I did not judge and decide not to go see the house.
When we got to the right house, we were greeted by the landlords... a very very nice lady (who went to school with my mom... small world!!!) and her hubby. They were nice and talkative... and they fell in love with Tink and Madi!!
This house is so cheap for us... and no security deposit. Yea... none. So pretty much, $850 to move in... insetad of $2,000 like we had expected to have to pay for other places!
So after talking it over with my mom and mikes parents, we decided to take it!
Now, we are just waiting on a call back from them. We have been here before, havent we? Oh man.
I guess I should feel confident... we spent about an hour and half with this couple and they loved us and loved Madi. All 3 girls were so well behaved and were polite and calm and I think that impressed them. They told us that they werent even going to call anyone else or show it to anyone else until we called.
So we called. She hasnt called back.
I realllllly am trying NOT freak out.
She'll call. WOnt she?
Oh man.
Im done. Lol! :o)
Oh.. we will move in the essentials this coming weekend just in time for the girls to start school on Monday!! :o)
Friday, August 20, 2010
Inspirational Quotes & Sayings PLEASE! :o)
I have been really trying to work on expanding my photography business. I have had this thing for a long time, but havent really tried to market it or even make it successful. I always just did it for fun and family. But I really feel like I need to do what I love and love what I do. As money has been scarce for us, I know we need to have more coming in, so I feel like this is my way to contribute more... and enjoy it!!
Mike and I talked about doing some of the craft shows in the area... they usually are $10 for a stand and I would be able to sell framed photos as well as offer my info about my business.
So... for my framed photos, I am taking my landscapes and flowers and other interesting photos and adding scriptures and inspirational sayings and then blowing the photos up!! I have some of these in my home and LOVE them, and have had so many friends say they want them... so I am hoping these will be something that sells well!
Anyways... I need more inspirational sayings and your favorite scriptures!! I have a bunch, but I want something different... unusual ones. One of my favorite quotes so far is:
"If God were small enough to be understood, He would not be big enough to be worshiped."
-- Evelyn Underhill
Send me MORE MORE MORE!! Lol... I need lots! :o)
Mike and I talked about doing some of the craft shows in the area... they usually are $10 for a stand and I would be able to sell framed photos as well as offer my info about my business.
So... for my framed photos, I am taking my landscapes and flowers and other interesting photos and adding scriptures and inspirational sayings and then blowing the photos up!! I have some of these in my home and LOVE them, and have had so many friends say they want them... so I am hoping these will be something that sells well!
Anyways... I need more inspirational sayings and your favorite scriptures!! I have a bunch, but I want something different... unusual ones. One of my favorite quotes so far is:
"If God were small enough to be understood, He would not be big enough to be worshiped."
-- Evelyn Underhill
Send me MORE MORE MORE!! Lol... I need lots! :o)
Just a few of my photos that I am looking to add too and sell!!!
Oh... and sometimes song lyrics have been cool with the photos... but I want to bless people... I want to be a witness with my business, so I am looking for things about God and words that point our hearts towards Him! :o)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
All about a baby...
I follow a blog that continually challenges, encourages, and strengthens my walk with God.
http://hishandshisfeettoday.blogspot.com/
This is a homeschooling family with 10 kids..... 11 as of a month ago. And all of them are adopted. ALLLLLL of them. The mom is amazing. Her walk with Jesus is so close... you cant tell where He stops and she starts. Seriously.
I am so glad I found this blog. God has used this woman and her family to show me so many things!
Recently, they adopted Selah Hope. She was born with Hydranencephaly which basically means she only has a partial brain, or none at all. This baby was concieved out a horrible circumstance, yet was carried joyfully by her birth mom so she could be given life. The doctors and nurse in the hospital when she was born basically marked her as a donor child becuase she probably wouldnt live. They didnt deem her worth enough to hold or feed her properly. But her momma fought for her. She was her advocate... her fighter and her champion.
Like God is to us... and especially to the least of these. To the ones man deems "less than". Not equal to the rest of "us".
Selah was definitly man's definition of "less than". To man, she will probably never amount to anything. Never have an impact... but God has such a CRAZY plan for this sweet baby. She has already affected so many peoples live... including mine!!!
Doctors probably say she has no feelings or emotions, yet she smiles when scripture is read to her and when Life is spoken over her.
She may live only a short time here on earth, but she will change the world.
And yet... with God... she may life a long full life. I truly and honestly beleive God can heal her brain. GROW her brain!! Whether He does that here or on earth is up to Him, and while I may not understand it... I know He has an incredible plan for her life.
Already her birth mom and siblings have accepted Jesus as their savior... and have gotten filled with the Holy Spirit!!! When I read that, I just cried... it's amazing. A baby doctors deemed WORTHLESS, has already shown her worth 1,000 times!!
God rocks. Seriously. :o)
Selah's story has inspired me to write a song. Eh... my song writing skills arent that great... and no one may ever hear it but me and Jesus... but thats ok!!!
http://hishandshisfeettoday.blogspot.com/
This is a homeschooling family with 10 kids..... 11 as of a month ago. And all of them are adopted. ALLLLLL of them. The mom is amazing. Her walk with Jesus is so close... you cant tell where He stops and she starts. Seriously.
I am so glad I found this blog. God has used this woman and her family to show me so many things!
Recently, they adopted Selah Hope. She was born with Hydranencephaly which basically means she only has a partial brain, or none at all. This baby was concieved out a horrible circumstance, yet was carried joyfully by her birth mom so she could be given life. The doctors and nurse in the hospital when she was born basically marked her as a donor child becuase she probably wouldnt live. They didnt deem her worth enough to hold or feed her properly. But her momma fought for her. She was her advocate... her fighter and her champion.
Like God is to us... and especially to the least of these. To the ones man deems "less than". Not equal to the rest of "us".
Selah was definitly man's definition of "less than". To man, she will probably never amount to anything. Never have an impact... but God has such a CRAZY plan for this sweet baby. She has already affected so many peoples live... including mine!!!
Doctors probably say she has no feelings or emotions, yet she smiles when scripture is read to her and when Life is spoken over her.
She may live only a short time here on earth, but she will change the world.
And yet... with God... she may life a long full life. I truly and honestly beleive God can heal her brain. GROW her brain!! Whether He does that here or on earth is up to Him, and while I may not understand it... I know He has an incredible plan for her life.
Already her birth mom and siblings have accepted Jesus as their savior... and have gotten filled with the Holy Spirit!!! When I read that, I just cried... it's amazing. A baby doctors deemed WORTHLESS, has already shown her worth 1,000 times!!
God rocks. Seriously. :o)
Selah's story has inspired me to write a song. Eh... my song writing skills arent that great... and no one may ever hear it but me and Jesus... but thats ok!!!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Creeping....
The first day of school has been steadily creeping up on us. In our neck of the woods, its right around August 30th for most schools. Yea... less than 2 weeks.
Ok... so its kinda not creeping so much now, but STOMPING!!!
(This is me freaking out.... no seriously.... I just did, lol!)
We got out papers for the girls for the school district we are currently in, making me feel a little sad that they wont get to experience another year in this truly amazing district. Seriously... its one of the best in all of our state!
Right now we have 2 homes we will take if they pick us. They both have plus and minus', but one plus for both is price. They are both very afforable... one more being more so.
The cheaper of the two is a little more in the city, but still a great school, and the more expensive is in a wonderful neighborhood, with a good school.
God knows. Both are available Sept. 1st.
So we are now just waiting. :o)
And packing. Whew. Yesterday, Mike and I, with the kids help here and there, packed up our bedroom, minus the closet. That was sucha load off my mind... just to get one big project done!! And I am so thankful the kids are so helpful. They made dumpster runs, basement runs, and wrapped valuables in newspaper. They also dust items before I pack them and vacuum and have helped clean any random thing I ask. I am blessed by them!
Today, for instance, I had a massive headache all day... so the oldest made breakfast for the girls, and then helped me by doing all the dishes and cleaning the kitchen. Since we weregone almost all weekend, we had TONS of laundry, and after teaching the oldest how to measure soap and whatnot, they even took over the lauundry!
Made this momma's heart proud.
(Oh... if you all could pray for us... we need some kind of financial miracle this week... we are down to $20 in our account and no money in sight for over a week. Sigh. Cant wait until our rent is actually afforable!!!)
Ok... so its kinda not creeping so much now, but STOMPING!!!
(This is me freaking out.... no seriously.... I just did, lol!)
We got out papers for the girls for the school district we are currently in, making me feel a little sad that they wont get to experience another year in this truly amazing district. Seriously... its one of the best in all of our state!
Right now we have 2 homes we will take if they pick us. They both have plus and minus', but one plus for both is price. They are both very afforable... one more being more so.
The cheaper of the two is a little more in the city, but still a great school, and the more expensive is in a wonderful neighborhood, with a good school.
God knows. Both are available Sept. 1st.
So we are now just waiting. :o)
And packing. Whew. Yesterday, Mike and I, with the kids help here and there, packed up our bedroom, minus the closet. That was sucha load off my mind... just to get one big project done!! And I am so thankful the kids are so helpful. They made dumpster runs, basement runs, and wrapped valuables in newspaper. They also dust items before I pack them and vacuum and have helped clean any random thing I ask. I am blessed by them!
Today, for instance, I had a massive headache all day... so the oldest made breakfast for the girls, and then helped me by doing all the dishes and cleaning the kitchen. Since we weregone almost all weekend, we had TONS of laundry, and after teaching the oldest how to measure soap and whatnot, they even took over the lauundry!
Made this momma's heart proud.
(Oh... if you all could pray for us... we need some kind of financial miracle this week... we are down to $20 in our account and no money in sight for over a week. Sigh. Cant wait until our rent is actually afforable!!!)
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Goal in Sight!!
Im a big girl... always have been... and probably always will be kinda big. Im ok with it though... I have a hubby who loves me and like me just the way I am, and I know I love by the King of Kings... so its all good! :o)
I also have PCOS (poly cystic ovarian sydrome), RA (rhuematoid arthiritis), and was at one point in my life, diabetic. But these things dont have me... I am determind to live my life out loud for Jesus... to run and jump with my kids, and even one day to have a biological child.
When Mike and I got married 5 and half years ago, I was at my heaviest (see, he really does love me for me)... almost 300 lbs. (Gasp... I know... wow... its still hard for me to admit that!) About a month before the wedding I realized how heavy I was and became determined to change my life. So I began to lose weight and in about a year I lost about 60 lbs. I was so proud of myself!! I did it by simpy making better choices. Drinking water a lot, no butter on the veggies, walking around more... etc. Just little changes that added up. Then I was diagnosed with diabetes at the same time I found out I was pregnant with our first bean. I lost the bean... and was put on a low carb diet with insulin shots and metformin.
What is the best thing you can do for diabetes and PCOS? Lose wieght. Did I? NO... I ballooned back up... I gained 40 of the 60 lbs back very quickly. After being on that regiment for about a year, I couldnt take it. I was following the diet so strickly and sticking myself millions of times and taking pills that made me feel gross... and gaining weight. So, against doctors orders (but seriously, thats not smart), I took my self off the diet and all meds. And began very slowly losing weight. In the last 3 years, I lost that 40lb again... plus more. :o) GO me!
I set a goal for myself about 3 yrs ago when I stopped with the meds of getting to 200 lbs. That to me was a magical number. Maybe if I get there I will get pregnant and keep the baby... maybe my PCOS will cease to bother me. And now that I have the RA diagnosis, I know that wight loss helps joints too, so its all win-win!
Part of having PCOS is having a hard time losing weight. My metabolism doesnt work right... my whole endocrine system is out of whack. So I can lose a few lbs and then get "stuck", and I have been stuck at 220-225 for amost 7 or 8 months. A few weeks ago, I weighed myself... and to my suprise I weighed 216... my lowest since high school!!!
This got me motivated! The 200 mark was now in sight. I began to watch my food even more and trying to excercise more... with the kids, and even on my own. Today, I was going to go on a bike ride with the girls, but even they thought it was too hot, so I decided to dust off the Wii Fit and get to work!
If you havent had a chance to do a work out on this thing... you should!! Its fun! At the beginning the weigh you and tell you your BMI. To my utter suprise... I weighed myself and came in at 210!!!!!!
I also have PCOS (poly cystic ovarian sydrome), RA (rhuematoid arthiritis), and was at one point in my life, diabetic. But these things dont have me... I am determind to live my life out loud for Jesus... to run and jump with my kids, and even one day to have a biological child.
When Mike and I got married 5 and half years ago, I was at my heaviest (see, he really does love me for me)... almost 300 lbs. (Gasp... I know... wow... its still hard for me to admit that!) About a month before the wedding I realized how heavy I was and became determined to change my life. So I began to lose weight and in about a year I lost about 60 lbs. I was so proud of myself!! I did it by simpy making better choices. Drinking water a lot, no butter on the veggies, walking around more... etc. Just little changes that added up. Then I was diagnosed with diabetes at the same time I found out I was pregnant with our first bean. I lost the bean... and was put on a low carb diet with insulin shots and metformin.
What is the best thing you can do for diabetes and PCOS? Lose wieght. Did I? NO... I ballooned back up... I gained 40 of the 60 lbs back very quickly. After being on that regiment for about a year, I couldnt take it. I was following the diet so strickly and sticking myself millions of times and taking pills that made me feel gross... and gaining weight. So, against doctors orders (but seriously, thats not smart), I took my self off the diet and all meds. And began very slowly losing weight. In the last 3 years, I lost that 40lb again... plus more. :o) GO me!
I set a goal for myself about 3 yrs ago when I stopped with the meds of getting to 200 lbs. That to me was a magical number. Maybe if I get there I will get pregnant and keep the baby... maybe my PCOS will cease to bother me. And now that I have the RA diagnosis, I know that wight loss helps joints too, so its all win-win!
Part of having PCOS is having a hard time losing weight. My metabolism doesnt work right... my whole endocrine system is out of whack. So I can lose a few lbs and then get "stuck", and I have been stuck at 220-225 for amost 7 or 8 months. A few weeks ago, I weighed myself... and to my suprise I weighed 216... my lowest since high school!!!
This got me motivated! The 200 mark was now in sight. I began to watch my food even more and trying to excercise more... with the kids, and even on my own. Today, I was going to go on a bike ride with the girls, but even they thought it was too hot, so I decided to dust off the Wii Fit and get to work!
If you havent had a chance to do a work out on this thing... you should!! Its fun! At the beginning the weigh you and tell you your BMI. To my utter suprise... I weighed myself and came in at 210!!!!!!
210!
WOw!! Thats sooooo close! I am so super close! YAY ME! I honestly cant wait for my next docs appt (its been almost a year) to show off my weight loss. And to kinda stick it in my docs face... haha.. I CAN do it! Oh... thats not nice. lol!
I spent an hour on the Wii... and I was feeling it. Whew! Im proud of my self. Its been a long road, and I have been stuck at so many different times, it feels so good to be this close.
I know that we are closer than even to having a bio child. We want to adopt many more kiddos, but its a dream and desire of Mike and I's to have just one bio child. To experience pregnancy, and child birth, the baby shower, the maternity clothes, the OBGYN appts... hearing our babies heart beat for the first time. Holding that new new life. I look at Madi some days and wonder what her sweet face looked like as a newborn, as a toddler, as a preschooler. I hold her in my arms and wish for just a min that I could shrink her and she what she felt like as a baby. And Madi wants a baby so bad. She wants to "see mommy's tummy grow, and hold the baby, and help name it, and help feed it". She loves to help me with the respite kids we get!! She changes pee diapers a lot... and would probably change a poopy one if I would let her!!
Not only that... but I am healthier. I am going to be around longer for my kids and have a better quality of life too. Getting to this point has helped me see that I need to do even more for my health... including going to more regular doc visits and things. So I am. I am going to do even more to be healthy!!! :o)
Monday, August 9, 2010
Memorial Box Monday...err... Tuesday
There is a woman whose blog I eagerly read daily... Linny over @ http://www.aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/ shares every monday a great thing that God has done for her and her family. She calls it "Memorial Box Monday". Check out her blog for more info and the scripture behind it. (Its cool... read it).
As I was ready her post for yesterday (funny... 8/9/10), I felt that i have nothing to share. Nothing to write... nothing came to mind. Nothing.
Then I felt like God was saying, Dana, so many things. SO many. Write about my faithfulness even when you dont "feel" it. Tell about how good I have been to you even if you dont feel I am being good to you now.
Of course... I silently protested... God, I dont feel your being bad to me. And then I felt that He was saying that I dont feel He is treating me poorly... but rather just simply not blessing me... not "being good to me". Yea. Wow... the God of creation who adores me. Who treasures me. Who is sooooo much better than any earthly could ever ever ever be. The ONE is not being good to me? Wow Dana. REally?
Lets LIST His goodness.
1. I have a hubby who strives to be the best hubby he can be. He truly truly loves me.
2. I have a gorgeous little girl who is teaching me so much every day and who loves me with everything in her.
3. We have a home. A nice one, with AC, and internet and cable.
4. My family is wonderful... in laws included!!
5. I live in the USA and am Free.
And thats just the tangible stuff.
I am blessed. So I am doing a memorial box post today.
I just cant seem to think of anything. Really. This ole mind is blank!
Ok... I think I have one.
This past December, all Madi wanted was to be adopted by Christmas. We found out that her siblings were going to be adopted on Dec 18th, but becuase it was our first adoption (and the other families had all adopted before) our stuff wasnt finished yet. A week before the adoption we were disappointed, but ok becuase we knew it would happen eventually.... then the adoption worker for the county called on Tuesday and said "I pulled a few strings and got you an adoption date of Dec. 18th... which is Friday. Are you ready?" We were thrilled!! Truly God answered Madi's prayers. She was adopted at the same place, same court room, same day, almost the same time as her siblings. End of one book, start of a new for her.
So in our memorial box... which we dont have yet, I am going to put in her Hershey Chocolate Bar cover... our sweet agency had them printed with her new name and adoption date. So cute!
I think I have realized that I rely on myself to much to make things happen. I think sometimes I dont let God move, I just do it. And maybe I dont see God working in the background becuase I choose not to let Him.
So its time to let God move. Its time to pray specificaly for things and expect them to happen. To wait for Him to move... to provide... to make happen.
As I was ready her post for yesterday (funny... 8/9/10), I felt that i have nothing to share. Nothing to write... nothing came to mind. Nothing.
Then I felt like God was saying, Dana, so many things. SO many. Write about my faithfulness even when you dont "feel" it. Tell about how good I have been to you even if you dont feel I am being good to you now.
Of course... I silently protested... God, I dont feel your being bad to me. And then I felt that He was saying that I dont feel He is treating me poorly... but rather just simply not blessing me... not "being good to me". Yea. Wow... the God of creation who adores me. Who treasures me. Who is sooooo much better than any earthly could ever ever ever be. The ONE is not being good to me? Wow Dana. REally?
Lets LIST His goodness.
1. I have a hubby who strives to be the best hubby he can be. He truly truly loves me.
2. I have a gorgeous little girl who is teaching me so much every day and who loves me with everything in her.
3. We have a home. A nice one, with AC, and internet and cable.
4. My family is wonderful... in laws included!!
5. I live in the USA and am Free.
And thats just the tangible stuff.
I am blessed. So I am doing a memorial box post today.
I just cant seem to think of anything. Really. This ole mind is blank!
Ok... I think I have one.
This past December, all Madi wanted was to be adopted by Christmas. We found out that her siblings were going to be adopted on Dec 18th, but becuase it was our first adoption (and the other families had all adopted before) our stuff wasnt finished yet. A week before the adoption we were disappointed, but ok becuase we knew it would happen eventually.... then the adoption worker for the county called on Tuesday and said "I pulled a few strings and got you an adoption date of Dec. 18th... which is Friday. Are you ready?" We were thrilled!! Truly God answered Madi's prayers. She was adopted at the same place, same court room, same day, almost the same time as her siblings. End of one book, start of a new for her.
So in our memorial box... which we dont have yet, I am going to put in her Hershey Chocolate Bar cover... our sweet agency had them printed with her new name and adoption date. So cute!
I think I have realized that I rely on myself to much to make things happen. I think sometimes I dont let God move, I just do it. And maybe I dont see God working in the background becuase I choose not to let Him.
So its time to let God move. Its time to pray specificaly for things and expect them to happen. To wait for Him to move... to provide... to make happen.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
YAY GOD!
"Lord, I crawled across the bareness to you with my empty cup, uncertain in asking any small drop of refreshment. If only I'd known you better I'd have come running with a bucket." Nancy Speigleberg
Wow. Let that sink in. I did. It haunted me (in a reeeeeally god way) all last night and today.
Then at church, the man preaching talked about being thirsty and how He is gonna fill up to OVERFLOWING the thirsty.
Yes. God. Fill up this bucket... Im RUNNING through the desert with my bucket.
Then at church, the man preaching talked about being thirsty and how He is gonna fill up to OVERFLOWING the thirsty.
Yes. God. Fill up this bucket... Im RUNNING through the desert with my bucket.
Then... my girls laid hands on a woman with MS. No, she didnt get up out of her chair, but her HEART was touched by my girls. People in the church were TOUCHED by these girls. I think becuase my 8 and 9 yr old were obiedent and stepped out in faith, the faith of a church was boosted!!
Oh... the name of our church... Faith Alive.
I think today that Faith did come Alive!!! People were on the floor while the Holy Spirit was just wrecking them. Changing them... healing them!!
YAY GOD!
YAY GOD!
Seriously.... YAY GOD!!!!!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Whew... Whatta Week
Whew... whatta week!!
Still havent heard about the house... so I have begun to look for another.
My BFF's kids, Josiah and Candace just left... they were here since Saturday.
I love (LOVE) this family. :o)
Usually, Mike has off on Sundays, but he has to work tomorrow so he can have of next Saturday (YAY) for a party we were invited too, so tomorrow the girls and I are going to church ourselves!! And I have to say, I am actually excited to go to church. I havent truly been able to say that in a while... and I didnt even realize it. I was going to church because I "had" too. Its what good christians do... so I did it. BEfore that, even when we were leading worship I went because I had to. I wasnt enjoying it. I was just doing a duty. God has really been dealing with me, and I actually have a fire and a desire to hear the Word, to worship with fellow Christians, and to have fellowship with people... even if I dont know them. So, tomorrow is gonna be a GOOD day, even if Mike has to work!!
Still havent heard about the house... so I have begun to look for another.
My BFF's kids, Josiah and Candace just left... they were here since Saturday.
I love (LOVE) this family. :o)
Usually, Mike has off on Sundays, but he has to work tomorrow so he can have of next Saturday (YAY) for a party we were invited too, so tomorrow the girls and I are going to church ourselves!! And I have to say, I am actually excited to go to church. I havent truly been able to say that in a while... and I didnt even realize it. I was going to church because I "had" too. Its what good christians do... so I did it. BEfore that, even when we were leading worship I went because I had to. I wasnt enjoying it. I was just doing a duty. God has really been dealing with me, and I actually have a fire and a desire to hear the Word, to worship with fellow Christians, and to have fellowship with people... even if I dont know them. So, tomorrow is gonna be a GOOD day, even if Mike has to work!!
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