I know I've been gone from this awhile but I have not given up! I kind of slacked over the holidays. (You can see my weigh-ins to the left of this post.) I gained quite a bit over Thanksgiving but lost it the very next week. December had it's ups and downs. BUT I only gained 1 pound through it all and I have already lost it. So, now I am getting back on the horse!
I am incredibly proud of myself for only gaining 1 POUND through Christmas break. Usually it is 10-15 lbs. That in itself is a triumph for me. It shows me that I have learned better habits. While I was not tracking my Points, sorry PointsPlus values, I was able to indulge a little at events, eat well during most of the day and mostly keep on track. YAY! That indulgence included my mother-in-laws AMAZING peanut butter fudge! It is just heavenly. And I promise I ate my own body weight in that stuff!
I started a biggest loser competition at my school. We have 16 people competing. The winner will get our $5 entry fees for a total of $80! Now, that's what I call incentive! We have 8 weeks to lose the weight.
We had a great Christmas! We treated ourselves to more than we should have with a Wii, Jake's new cell phone, my beautiful necklace from Jake and a new coffee table - but hey - you only live once! That's how I'll make myself feel better anyway :)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2010
I am stealing this from someone else's blog...
10 for 2010
1. I made some great friends at Addams Elementary School.
2. I lost my job at Addams.
3. I started working at The Apple Tree - one of my best decisions ever!
4. I got a job at my new school teaching pre-k again!
5. I taught 3rd grade summer school - definitely a challenge for me.
6. I got my tonsils out - I sleep so much better now.
7. Jake and I decided to begin trying to start our family - trying - it's all in God's hands.
8. I started to help teach 1st grade Sunday School.
9. I decided to join Weight Watchers and work towards a healthier me.
10. I had another family structure change when Christa decided to leave my mom.
11 for 2011
1. I will continue my journey with weight watchers. And start tracking again!
2. I hope that we can start our family this year. - I have no control of this one!
3. Get a dog for my husband.
4. Continue to make our house a home with decor and furniture we like, not hand-me-downs.
5. Work our on a regular basis.
6. Spend more time with my friends and family.
7. Be a better wife, friend, daughter, sister and aunt.
8. Take my husband to a football game.
9. Pay off our credit card.
10. Build up our savings account.
11. Continue to become a great teacher.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
It's Begining to Look a Lot Like Christmas...
Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love all the pretty decorations, good food, seeing family, time off school and of course - presents! I like to get presents but I especially love to give them.
I'm not one of those people who decorate their tree around a theme. I like to put up ornaments from our childhood and every year we pick out an ornament. I hope to allow my children to do that someday too!
I love to decorate for the holidays! I was always the one to bug my parents until they put the tree up. I decorated my tiny dorm rooms in college and I have especially enjoyed decorating my new home for Christmas. We started off by putting lights up on the house.
Well, my husband put up lights. Poor jake, it took him three days of putting up lights after work, in the dark to get it all completed. He did have help from a friend a the first day. Of course, I helped by sitting on my bum in the house watching TV. :) But it looks so good in the dark! 
Well, becuase my husband did all that hard work AND was working crazy hours at his job, I surprised him by putting up the Christmas tree. That's right folks! I got it down from the attic (huge accomplishment) and put it up all by myself! Ok, putting it up was easy but man getting it down from the attic was crazy! I hate the attic! First, you are always scared you will walk off the beam and fall through the ceiling. Then there is the fact that are probably some 8-legged friends living up there. AND then there are the millions of nails sticking out from the roof that are only 5'4" off the floor when your head is 5'9" off the floor.
Anyways I got that sucker up. This tree was a hand-me-down. It was once I really great pre-lit tree from Garden Ridge. Well, now it is mostly a pre-lit tree. Several parts of the lights only came on after replacing bulbs, fuses, a little bit of wiggling and a lot of prayer. And one section will still not light up. So I just strung on a strand of lights we had. (Kind of ghetto, I know). Needless to say, I will be shopping for another tree after they all go on sale! Here is the finished product.
Here is the ornament from the year we got married.
Here is the ornament from last year - the year we purchased our home.
Here is one of Jake's childhood ornaments.
One from my childhood.
I enjoy all the memories that are tied to the ornaments.
Of course there are other decorations up. My wreath is one of my favorits. It is made of bells and it made a lovely sound everytime you open the door.
I actually made this one. It is a card holder. I just measured and cut some ribbon for where I wanted to hang it. (I have two hanging up. They are in the middle of three windows.) Then I made a bow out of the same ribbon and hot glued it on there. Then I took some mini clothespins and painted them silver. And I glued them on a varying distances down the ribbon. Voila!
Our stockings and holders. You can't hve a fireplace without stockings!
And of course - the mistletoe!
Friday, November 19, 2010
I am...
A daughter - I have been blessed with wonderful parents. They are not perfect but they love my sister and I very much. I have amazing in-laws who may love me more than their son! :) I have also been blessed to have more people in life that I consider to be parent-figures even though we have no shared DNA. People like Bob and Deb Lipscomb and Marlene Carpenter.
A sister - Not a great one but I love my sister very much. We are very different in all the big ways but deep down we can be surprisingly alike.
An aunt - My nephew is the cutest little thing that ever walked this Earth and he knows it! He is smart and so funny! I am so thankful that God protected him and allowed him to overcome being a preemie.
A teacher - I have wanted to be a teacher since I was very young. It is an amazing feeling to know that I am doing exactly what God designed me to do. I can be lazy and short-tempered sometimes but I really enjoy my career. I am thankful that God gave me such a passion for teaching young children.
A student - I am not in school at this point, though I may someday go for my masters degree. But I try my best to learn something new everyday. Whether that is about children, God, my friends and family, being a wife or just new and interesting things.
A wife - I married my best friend. We laugh and play and just have a good time together (most of the time). We are not perfect spouses but we learn to be better ones on a daily basis.
A friend - I have been lucky to have a lot of friends throughout my lifetime. I have lost touch with a lot of them for one reason or another and I can be insecure when it comes to trying to reconnect with them. I have known great friendships in my 24 years and I hope to continue to make new friends as I grow older.
A cook - I love to cook for my friends and husband. It makes me feel great to get compliments on my cooking. I especially love to bake but I have cut back on that lately.
A mother - No, I don't have kids but I know that I am a mother in my soul. I mother my husband, friends, family (older and younger) and my students. I know that I will someday have children (in God's timing) but until I will just take care of everyone that I can to practice :)
A believer in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord - I am not perfect and I never will be. I do my best to live my life as I think He would have.
Who are you?
A sister - Not a great one but I love my sister very much. We are very different in all the big ways but deep down we can be surprisingly alike.
An aunt - My nephew is the cutest little thing that ever walked this Earth and he knows it! He is smart and so funny! I am so thankful that God protected him and allowed him to overcome being a preemie.
A teacher - I have wanted to be a teacher since I was very young. It is an amazing feeling to know that I am doing exactly what God designed me to do. I can be lazy and short-tempered sometimes but I really enjoy my career. I am thankful that God gave me such a passion for teaching young children.
A student - I am not in school at this point, though I may someday go for my masters degree. But I try my best to learn something new everyday. Whether that is about children, God, my friends and family, being a wife or just new and interesting things.
A wife - I married my best friend. We laugh and play and just have a good time together (most of the time). We are not perfect spouses but we learn to be better ones on a daily basis.
A friend - I have been lucky to have a lot of friends throughout my lifetime. I have lost touch with a lot of them for one reason or another and I can be insecure when it comes to trying to reconnect with them. I have known great friendships in my 24 years and I hope to continue to make new friends as I grow older.
A cook - I love to cook for my friends and husband. It makes me feel great to get compliments on my cooking. I especially love to bake but I have cut back on that lately.
A mother - No, I don't have kids but I know that I am a mother in my soul. I mother my husband, friends, family (older and younger) and my students. I know that I will someday have children (in God's timing) but until I will just take care of everyone that I can to practice :)
A believer in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord - I am not perfect and I never will be. I do my best to live my life as I think He would have.
Who are you?
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
My Mom
My mother is an amazing woman. She is not perfect (who is?) but she is spectacular. Here are some reasons why...
10. She makes the best meatloaf ever!
9. She never rambles away on the phone. She doesn't even like to talk on the phone!
8. She is a great multitasker. This woman can accomplish a million things at once.
7. She is an amazing googler. This woman can find anything about anything by simply searching for it. (I got this trait from her :)
6.She never gives up.... on anything!
5. Her house could pass as a hospital, it is that clean! I got my cleaning habits from her (although I don't do it as often as she does). The best way to clean is with the radio blaring some great music like Celine Dion, Reba McEntire, etc.
4. She gives great gifts and I can always tell that she enjoys giving them. She always knows exactly what to get me for Christmas and my birthday. I know that she puts a lot of effort into picking it out and finding it for me.
3. She will do anything for her friends and family. I have to be careful what I say around her! If we are out shopping and I happen to mention that I want/need any random and unimportant thing she will search high and low for that one thing for me.
2. She has an amazing work ethic. She works her tail off about 360 days of the year. If there is something to do, she will get it done and get it done the right way.
1. She always finds a way to overcome obstacles. She has not had the easiest time of things in her lifetime (as it is with most of us). But she has found a way to get through every situation and better herself through it all.
10. She makes the best meatloaf ever!
9. She never rambles away on the phone. She doesn't even like to talk on the phone!
8. She is a great multitasker. This woman can accomplish a million things at once.
7. She is an amazing googler. This woman can find anything about anything by simply searching for it. (I got this trait from her :)
6.She never gives up.... on anything!
5. Her house could pass as a hospital, it is that clean! I got my cleaning habits from her (although I don't do it as often as she does). The best way to clean is with the radio blaring some great music like Celine Dion, Reba McEntire, etc.
4. She gives great gifts and I can always tell that she enjoys giving them. She always knows exactly what to get me for Christmas and my birthday. I know that she puts a lot of effort into picking it out and finding it for me.
3. She will do anything for her friends and family. I have to be careful what I say around her! If we are out shopping and I happen to mention that I want/need any random and unimportant thing she will search high and low for that one thing for me.
2. She has an amazing work ethic. She works her tail off about 360 days of the year. If there is something to do, she will get it done and get it done the right way.
1. She always finds a way to overcome obstacles. She has not had the easiest time of things in her lifetime (as it is with most of us). But she has found a way to get through every situation and better herself through it all.
(Sorry this is a picture of a picture but I don't have any digitalpictures of us on hand).
I love her so much and I am proud to be her daughter!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Weight Watchers
I joined Weight Watchers a month ago. I had always heard of this program but I never liked that I would have to pay to be a part of it (I am kind of cheap like that). But I have always heard great things. I had some friends that have tried it and I knew of one girl in particular who has lost over 100 pounds with Weight Watchers (what an amazing accomplishment!).
Now, I know how to lose weight. I learned about it in health class and an aerobics class in college. I know how many calories I should consume in a day to lose weight in a healthy way. I know what my heart rate should be when exercising to help burn fat. I know the foods I should eat and the foods I should avoid. I know the the healthy ways to cook, shop and live. But the fact is, I wasn't doing it. I was eating what I wanted, when I wanted and I certainly wasn't exercising.
I was having a conversation with my sister about my wanting a baby. And she talked to me about how I should lose weight first (in a very caring and compassionate manner). I knew this already but her speaking to me about it made it more real. She told me she saw a commercial that Weight Watchers was doing a promotion that you could join for free for a certain time period.
So, I sat down and did some research on the program and looked into locations and meeting times. I spoke with Jake about it. He was hesitant because I had to pay. He, like a lot of other people, assumed it was just a way for them to make money but he eventually came around and agreed that I should go. I set myself a date of when to go and I went. It was a little scary to go alone but I eventually got out of my car.
And you know what? I LOVE IT!
Weight Watchers is exactly what I have been needing all along. Here is why.
1) I have to get on a scale in front of someone else. - Only another staff member and they only comment when I have lost weight, but the fact that someone else knows how I have been doing is very motivating to me.
2) They celebrate my successes. This may make me sound conceited or something but I like that they cheer for me. It fits my personality well. (They always ask privately if they can celebrate with you before the meeting starts). They share with the group when I have reached my personal goals people clap for me! AND you get stickers every time you lose or reach goals. Who doesn't love STICKERS?!?!
3) They are empathetic to my struggles. This is a meeting full of people who are battling or have battled and won with their weight. It is so great to be in a room full of people that know what I am going through and are dealing with or have dealt with the same problem.
4) They have great ideas. At the meetings we share tips about all kinds of related topics like snack ideas, meal ideas, exercising methods, websites to look at, books to read, etc. I usually take notes in the meetings because they are so full of ideas. These really help me stack on track.
So far I have lost 13.8 pounds with this program. In a month! You can't argue with those kind of results!
Now, I know how to lose weight. I learned about it in health class and an aerobics class in college. I know how many calories I should consume in a day to lose weight in a healthy way. I know what my heart rate should be when exercising to help burn fat. I know the foods I should eat and the foods I should avoid. I know the the healthy ways to cook, shop and live. But the fact is, I wasn't doing it. I was eating what I wanted, when I wanted and I certainly wasn't exercising.
I was having a conversation with my sister about my wanting a baby. And she talked to me about how I should lose weight first (in a very caring and compassionate manner). I knew this already but her speaking to me about it made it more real. She told me she saw a commercial that Weight Watchers was doing a promotion that you could join for free for a certain time period.
So, I sat down and did some research on the program and looked into locations and meeting times. I spoke with Jake about it. He was hesitant because I had to pay. He, like a lot of other people, assumed it was just a way for them to make money but he eventually came around and agreed that I should go. I set myself a date of when to go and I went. It was a little scary to go alone but I eventually got out of my car.
And you know what? I LOVE IT!
Weight Watchers is exactly what I have been needing all along. Here is why.
1) I have to get on a scale in front of someone else. - Only another staff member and they only comment when I have lost weight, but the fact that someone else knows how I have been doing is very motivating to me.
2) They celebrate my successes. This may make me sound conceited or something but I like that they cheer for me. It fits my personality well. (They always ask privately if they can celebrate with you before the meeting starts). They share with the group when I have reached my personal goals people clap for me! AND you get stickers every time you lose or reach goals. Who doesn't love STICKERS?!?!
3) They are empathetic to my struggles. This is a meeting full of people who are battling or have battled and won with their weight. It is so great to be in a room full of people that know what I am going through and are dealing with or have dealt with the same problem.
4) They have great ideas. At the meetings we share tips about all kinds of related topics like snack ideas, meal ideas, exercising methods, websites to look at, books to read, etc. I usually take notes in the meetings because they are so full of ideas. These really help me stack on track.
So far I have lost 13.8 pounds with this program. In a month! You can't argue with those kind of results!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Motivation
Reasons that I could have just left my weight alone:
1)I have always been a big-boned girl. Some people don't believe there is such a thing but I am proof. I think that even with just my skin and bones that I couldn't be less than a size 10 or 12. I have big hips!
2)If I told you my real weight or pants size you probably wouldn't believe me. I wear it well.
3)My weight could be worse, much worse.
Despite all those excuses that I have been letting myself use these past years, I decided to do something about it. Here's why:
1.
Health: Though my weight hasn't gotten bad enough for a doctor to say anything or for my blood pressure, cholesterol or any other factors to be messed up, I know I was not far from it. I am enjoying my time on Earth. It's not always easy or fun but I am happy with it. And though I have no control over God's timing, I would like to be here as long as He sees fit. I want to be alive when my grandbaby's are here and be able to run and play with them.
2.
Embarassment: I hate wearing swimsuits and shorts and clothes shopping with my friends. I want to be proud of my body (in a very modest and tasteful way, of course). And my best friend is so fashionable and can dress me so well but I get so embarassed that my size is more than twice what hers is that I usually don't even shop with her anymore.
3.
Babies: I have always had two major goals in life: be a teacher and a mom. Well, I'm a teacher so that just leaves one thing. I know that a prenancy will be easier and better if I am at a healthy and manageable weight. I have lots of fears of things like people not knowing I'm pregnant because I have always had a big belly or not being able to feel my baby kick through my thick stomach. Not to mention, I know it will be so much easier to lose baby weight if I started at a healthier weight to begin with.
So, those are the reasons I am working towards a healthier me. I will admit that number 3 was the biggest motivation this time. It seems to be working so far!
1)I have always been a big-boned girl. Some people don't believe there is such a thing but I am proof. I think that even with just my skin and bones that I couldn't be less than a size 10 or 12. I have big hips!
2)If I told you my real weight or pants size you probably wouldn't believe me. I wear it well.
3)My weight could be worse, much worse.
Despite all those excuses that I have been letting myself use these past years, I decided to do something about it. Here's why:
1.
Health: Though my weight hasn't gotten bad enough for a doctor to say anything or for my blood pressure, cholesterol or any other factors to be messed up, I know I was not far from it. I am enjoying my time on Earth. It's not always easy or fun but I am happy with it. And though I have no control over God's timing, I would like to be here as long as He sees fit. I want to be alive when my grandbaby's are here and be able to run and play with them.
2.
Embarassment: I hate wearing swimsuits and shorts and clothes shopping with my friends. I want to be proud of my body (in a very modest and tasteful way, of course). And my best friend is so fashionable and can dress me so well but I get so embarassed that my size is more than twice what hers is that I usually don't even shop with her anymore.
3.
Babies: I have always had two major goals in life: be a teacher and a mom. Well, I'm a teacher so that just leaves one thing. I know that a prenancy will be easier and better if I am at a healthy and manageable weight. I have lots of fears of things like people not knowing I'm pregnant because I have always had a big belly or not being able to feel my baby kick through my thick stomach. Not to mention, I know it will be so much easier to lose baby weight if I started at a healthier weight to begin with.
So, those are the reasons I am working towards a healthier me. I will admit that number 3 was the biggest motivation this time. It seems to be working so far!
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