What can I say? It has been a crazy year. I am so glad that I decided to take a chance on me and get the band. I firmly believe that there is absolutely no way that I ever would have made it 70 pounds down without the band.
There is a part of me that is a little disappointed in myself because I know that with only a few minor changes, I would have been at goal weight today and not still another 25 pounds or so away. But if I was going to be totally honest with myself, I wasn't sure this would really work. I have to say that my band has worked for me inspite of me, not because of me.
I have learned to live with my new eating lifestyle (maybe, each day is different). I still enjoy a cookie or some candy and please don't take away my ice cream. But I have made it a full year and know that because I have lost 70 pounds living my life and not being a nazi about food consumption, that I can live the rest of my life with my band.
I would call that a success! What do you think?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
A New Perspective...
I am sure that some of you know that we have our struggles with Connie from time to time. We have been blessed with several good weeks lately, almost so that we might have forgotten how bad it can be sometimes. Well, this week has been really tough with her. I find that when I am stressed about being a mom and always doing the right thing, I go to the internet and read other mom's blogs. I follow many blogs here (too many probably). Today I realize that everything really must be kept in perspective. There is always someone else fighting a bigger battle than we are fighting.
This was written by a mom with her daughter at home on hospice care…
"Towards the end of a pregnancy, a mother will wake up to go to the bathroom every few hours. I think this is the body’s way of preparing you for a newborn and the sleepless nights that come along with it. Layla now spends most of her days sleeping. 30-45 minutes after she wakes up, she is ready to lay down and sleep again. Is this God’s way of preparing me for all the quiet time that is coming soon? The house is quiet. I am able to go through the motions of laundry, dishes, cooking and picking up without interruptions. But I WANT interruptions. I WANT Layla to be under my feet asking for cookies. I WANT to hear her playing with her toys. I WANT to take 45 minutes to unload the dishwasher because she keeps trying to help. For every time I uttered the words “I just can’t get anything done with these kids under my feet all day” I am eternally regretful. The days that I looked forward to naptime so I could get a grocery list made, or finally fold all the piles of laundry…I regret those days too. If I could do it all again, I’d enjoy EVERY SINGLE WAKING MOMENT I had with her. I would never wish for her to sit still or take a nap or go to bed early. I would never look forward to the days when she could sit through an entire episode of Dora silently. I would treasure every second with her."
Ever since Dad passed away, I have been struggling to be sure that I am enjoying the time I have with the important people in my life. When we need patience with each other or one of the kids, we should remember how lucky we are to just have them in our lives for one more day.
I vow to try to remember that we are never promised more than the present and to really take the time to love ALL of the times with my family...even the difficult times.
This was written by a mom with her daughter at home on hospice care…
"Towards the end of a pregnancy, a mother will wake up to go to the bathroom every few hours. I think this is the body’s way of preparing you for a newborn and the sleepless nights that come along with it. Layla now spends most of her days sleeping. 30-45 minutes after she wakes up, she is ready to lay down and sleep again. Is this God’s way of preparing me for all the quiet time that is coming soon? The house is quiet. I am able to go through the motions of laundry, dishes, cooking and picking up without interruptions. But I WANT interruptions. I WANT Layla to be under my feet asking for cookies. I WANT to hear her playing with her toys. I WANT to take 45 minutes to unload the dishwasher because she keeps trying to help. For every time I uttered the words “I just can’t get anything done with these kids under my feet all day” I am eternally regretful. The days that I looked forward to naptime so I could get a grocery list made, or finally fold all the piles of laundry…I regret those days too. If I could do it all again, I’d enjoy EVERY SINGLE WAKING MOMENT I had with her. I would never wish for her to sit still or take a nap or go to bed early. I would never look forward to the days when she could sit through an entire episode of Dora silently. I would treasure every second with her."
Ever since Dad passed away, I have been struggling to be sure that I am enjoying the time I have with the important people in my life. When we need patience with each other or one of the kids, we should remember how lucky we are to just have them in our lives for one more day.
I vow to try to remember that we are never promised more than the present and to really take the time to love ALL of the times with my family...even the difficult times.
Monday, March 22, 2010
It has been a year...
It's hard to believe that it has been a year today since I was able to hold my Daddy's hand and tell him how much I love him. It seems unreal to me.
I am coming off of a fantastic week with the kids only to be entering what might be a difficult week. I am realizing that I have a terrible denial side to me. I am not sure that I have every really grieved for him. I still have his picture on the fridge and in my office. I have spent the last year getting used to looking at them without crying...until this month. Last week would have been his 60th birthday. I think I missed calling him on his birthday more than I missed him calling me on my birthday. Not sure why that would be.
But, this too shall pass. I can still hear him talking to me, mostly when I am doing to much or not taking the time out that I should to just live in the current moment. I did learn that from him. Life is about so much more than our jobs and the next place we have to be. I know that I get frustrated with the kids because I have so many self-imposed demands on my time and I am really trying to just "be". That has been a tough lesson and not one that I think I will ever master.
I love you Daddy! And to anyone else, please take care of yourself (no one else can do it for you) and treasure every moment that you have with your loved ones.
I am coming off of a fantastic week with the kids only to be entering what might be a difficult week. I am realizing that I have a terrible denial side to me. I am not sure that I have every really grieved for him. I still have his picture on the fridge and in my office. I have spent the last year getting used to looking at them without crying...until this month. Last week would have been his 60th birthday. I think I missed calling him on his birthday more than I missed him calling me on my birthday. Not sure why that would be.
But, this too shall pass. I can still hear him talking to me, mostly when I am doing to much or not taking the time out that I should to just live in the current moment. I did learn that from him. Life is about so much more than our jobs and the next place we have to be. I know that I get frustrated with the kids because I have so many self-imposed demands on my time and I am really trying to just "be". That has been a tough lesson and not one that I think I will ever master.
I love you Daddy! And to anyone else, please take care of yourself (no one else can do it for you) and treasure every moment that you have with your loved ones.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Walt Disney World
It has been so long since I posted. We decided to actually attempt another family vacation this year and so we ended up at Disney World in Orlando, FL for Spring Break. It was AMAZING! Neither Jeff nor I have ever been so I had no idea what I was doing when I booked the trip. There were so many choices but it turned out great. I did learn some things so if anyone decides to go, I would be happy to let you in on what we figured out.
All of the kids had fun, including Jeff and I. Amy thought she was too big for the characters and in spite of my encouragement, she refused to get up and dance with Prince Charming! Brad was just beside himself with the whole thing...characters, rides, junk food, you name it! And then Connie...she has amazing stamina.
We left here on Saturday morning and drove to Mariana, FL. Then we got up about 5am on Sunday morning. We met up with a friend of Jeff's from high school and had lunch. Then shortly after arriving at the resort cabin, we decided to go check out Magin Kingdom. They had extra hours for people staying at the disney resorts, so we ended up staying until 3am! I still can't believe it. Everyone had a blast but as soon as we got into the car, Amy and Brad were asleep. But not Connie! She was still going strong. We hunted up something to snack on and about 5am we were pretty much begging Connie to go to sleep.
We slept in the next day since we pretty much were able to do all of the rides at the Magic Kingdom. Then we had to find a camera store because Connie got excited and bounced our camera off the stroller and broke the lens. But I suppose it worked out since I now have a much better lens even if I wasn't planning on spending that money during the trip.
We had several character dining experiences and several mornings Connie fell asleep just after breakfast and slept until lunch. On Thursday she actually slept until about 4pm. Thank goodness it was our last day.
We finally got home this afternoon and we are thankful for the chance we had to go. We were able to spend some great family time and we made some great family memories.
Here are some pics of the week.
All of the kids had fun, including Jeff and I. Amy thought she was too big for the characters and in spite of my encouragement, she refused to get up and dance with Prince Charming! Brad was just beside himself with the whole thing...characters, rides, junk food, you name it! And then Connie...she has amazing stamina.
We left here on Saturday morning and drove to Mariana, FL. Then we got up about 5am on Sunday morning. We met up with a friend of Jeff's from high school and had lunch. Then shortly after arriving at the resort cabin, we decided to go check out Magin Kingdom. They had extra hours for people staying at the disney resorts, so we ended up staying until 3am! I still can't believe it. Everyone had a blast but as soon as we got into the car, Amy and Brad were asleep. But not Connie! She was still going strong. We hunted up something to snack on and about 5am we were pretty much begging Connie to go to sleep.
We slept in the next day since we pretty much were able to do all of the rides at the Magic Kingdom. Then we had to find a camera store because Connie got excited and bounced our camera off the stroller and broke the lens. But I suppose it worked out since I now have a much better lens even if I wasn't planning on spending that money during the trip.
We had several character dining experiences and several mornings Connie fell asleep just after breakfast and slept until lunch. On Thursday she actually slept until about 4pm. Thank goodness it was our last day.
We finally got home this afternoon and we are thankful for the chance we had to go. We were able to spend some great family time and we made some great family memories.
Here are some pics of the week.
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