My sweet little boy turned 7 today. I'm finding it hard to believe that he has already been in my life for 7 years now. I feel like only yesterday I was holding him for the first time, not sleeping for both of the nights I was in the hospital just because I was so happy to be seeing him face to face, coming home from the hospital and having my dad set us up in the recliner to *finally* sleep. My little angel...my Gabriel.
What a road we've been down. Me, a frightened 18-year-old senior in high school with this little bundle of joy, wondering what kind of mother I would make. The ER visits because he wasn't breathing right or was breaking out to things only to find out he's got allergies and asthma. The late nights doing homework and projects so I could finish college and provide for this little guy. I wouldn't trade a second of any of it.
Happy Birthday to my Gabriel...the dinosaur LOVER!!!...the JETsetter (he's in the gifted program at school)...my book loving, puzzle doing, game playing, best big brother ever, AMAZING kid. I love you.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
My Journey
I have embarked on a journey the last 4 days...I have started on the HCG diet. If you don't know what it is, I highly recommend looking up the HCG diet. For Phase 2, I'm on a 500 calorie a day diet with very strict guidelines as to what I can and cannot eat. Phase 3 boosts up to 1500 calories a day with a less limited diet, but still some good guidelines.
Many will see the "500 calories a day" and think, "WHAT?! How can you do that? That's not right!!" It's actually not that bad. There are easy and simple ways to make the food taste wonderful, and it really does fill you up! I'll admit...the melba toast isn't the best. For me, this is not only about losing weight, but about disciplining myself to keep myself on a healthier track so I don't just gain back all of the weight or go back down this road again.
My goal is to lose 25 pounds (or more, if I'm lucky!) Here's how it has all broken down so far:
Days 1-2 (Phase 1): loading days
Day 3 (Phase 2 start): starting weight-180 pounds
Day 4: weight-175.5 pounds!!! *I'm down 4.5 pounds!!*
I am hoping that by posting, I can keep myself accountable and encourage myself just by typing in the numbers (even though I'm keeping a log of everything *including my inches lost* on separate pieces of paper).
4 days down....19 more to go in Phase 2. Then 28 days of Phase 3 (Maintenance).
Praying for strength, a positive mindset, and support from those around me. :)
Many will see the "500 calories a day" and think, "WHAT?! How can you do that? That's not right!!" It's actually not that bad. There are easy and simple ways to make the food taste wonderful, and it really does fill you up! I'll admit...the melba toast isn't the best. For me, this is not only about losing weight, but about disciplining myself to keep myself on a healthier track so I don't just gain back all of the weight or go back down this road again.
My goal is to lose 25 pounds (or more, if I'm lucky!) Here's how it has all broken down so far:
Days 1-2 (Phase 1): loading days
Day 3 (Phase 2 start): starting weight-180 pounds
Day 4: weight-175.5 pounds!!! *I'm down 4.5 pounds!!*
I am hoping that by posting, I can keep myself accountable and encourage myself just by typing in the numbers (even though I'm keeping a log of everything *including my inches lost* on separate pieces of paper).
4 days down....19 more to go in Phase 2. Then 28 days of Phase 3 (Maintenance).
Praying for strength, a positive mindset, and support from those around me. :)
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Friends Forever
*For those of you who remember Saved by the Bell (and LOVED it, like me!!), you can probably hear the Zack Attack band singing "Friends Forever" in your head....at least, I do....*
A random thought popped in to my head. I think there are a handful of friends that are my best friends. You know, those people that you can go months not getting to talk to because, let's face it, life happens. But the second you talk to them on the phone, in person, via text, or on Facebook, it's as if you've only spent mere minutes apart. And, to me, that is so refreshing. I love that I could call up one of those handful of people and we could pretty much pick up our conversation right where we left off. We don't have any awkward silences from not getting to talk for a while, we don't have to fish for things to talk about.....it's just awesome.
I'm so blessed by those that are my best friends.
I have my "sisters" (by choice, unfortunately not by blood, though), Nikki and Andrea. We've been "sisters" since high school....Nik as a senior, Andrea as a sophomore, and myself, a lowly freshman. We wound up becoming sisters during a senior showcase that Nikki was directing and she had Andrea and I in the play acting as friends. I had known Nikki for years prior to that from church, but being in her play was where it all started. And with these two being my "sisters", they are "aunts" to my two precious boys. Aunt Nikki and Auntie Andrea. But to me, they're my sisters. Forever.
I have my darling Ashley. Now, any time I refer to Ashley, I always say, "My best friend, Ashley." Ashley is the person that I called when I got engaged and asked if there was any way she could be in MO for my wedding less than 2 months later to be my matron of honor. You have to understand, she was in the Air Force then (her hubby still is) and they live in WA. So, at the time, it wasn't like she could just hop a plane and come down here. She had to arrange it. But she said, without hesitation, that she could come and work their leave to be here. We have been friends since I moved here in 2nd grade. Gone to church together, sang countless solos for church choir, been best friends in a play or two, always cheered one another on. She's always been there for my. My best friend. Forever.
And then there is my baby brother, Adam. I know what you might be thinking...."how can you little brother be your best friend?" Well, he is. He is the person who knows me better than anyone else (aside from my husband, I bet.) Even though he is my baby brother, he has always been my protector. Even though he's my baby brother, I look up to him (literally, now...he's taller than me). Sure, we fought as kids. *And I'm talking the knock down, drag out fights....we really did hit, punch, bite, scratch, do anything to hurt one another.* But he has always been there to protect me....he's always told me he loves me, even though I know I've let him down on multiple occasions. I've watched him become such an amazing man and I am so proud of the man he is...the uncle he is, the husband he is about to become, and am beyond blessed to call him my brother. Forever.
So there we are....my best friends.
Now you can go back to singing Zack Attack's "Friends Forever". I am. :)
A random thought popped in to my head. I think there are a handful of friends that are my best friends. You know, those people that you can go months not getting to talk to because, let's face it, life happens. But the second you talk to them on the phone, in person, via text, or on Facebook, it's as if you've only spent mere minutes apart. And, to me, that is so refreshing. I love that I could call up one of those handful of people and we could pretty much pick up our conversation right where we left off. We don't have any awkward silences from not getting to talk for a while, we don't have to fish for things to talk about.....it's just awesome.
I'm so blessed by those that are my best friends.
I have my "sisters" (by choice, unfortunately not by blood, though), Nikki and Andrea. We've been "sisters" since high school....Nik as a senior, Andrea as a sophomore, and myself, a lowly freshman. We wound up becoming sisters during a senior showcase that Nikki was directing and she had Andrea and I in the play acting as friends. I had known Nikki for years prior to that from church, but being in her play was where it all started. And with these two being my "sisters", they are "aunts" to my two precious boys. Aunt Nikki and Auntie Andrea. But to me, they're my sisters. Forever.
I have my darling Ashley. Now, any time I refer to Ashley, I always say, "My best friend, Ashley." Ashley is the person that I called when I got engaged and asked if there was any way she could be in MO for my wedding less than 2 months later to be my matron of honor. You have to understand, she was in the Air Force then (her hubby still is) and they live in WA. So, at the time, it wasn't like she could just hop a plane and come down here. She had to arrange it. But she said, without hesitation, that she could come and work their leave to be here. We have been friends since I moved here in 2nd grade. Gone to church together, sang countless solos for church choir, been best friends in a play or two, always cheered one another on. She's always been there for my. My best friend. Forever.
And then there is my baby brother, Adam. I know what you might be thinking...."how can you little brother be your best friend?" Well, he is. He is the person who knows me better than anyone else (aside from my husband, I bet.) Even though he is my baby brother, he has always been my protector. Even though he's my baby brother, I look up to him (literally, now...he's taller than me). Sure, we fought as kids. *And I'm talking the knock down, drag out fights....we really did hit, punch, bite, scratch, do anything to hurt one another.* But he has always been there to protect me....he's always told me he loves me, even though I know I've let him down on multiple occasions. I've watched him become such an amazing man and I am so proud of the man he is...the uncle he is, the husband he is about to become, and am beyond blessed to call him my brother. Forever.
So there we are....my best friends.
Now you can go back to singing Zack Attack's "Friends Forever". I am. :)
Thursday, September 8, 2011
A little of this, a little of that...
So, it's been rather crazy around here lately. My hubby has been SUPER busy (he works with a high school drumline and is a part time instructor at the local community college), so we honestly don't see him very much. I've been doing quite a bit of subbing at the school I student taught at. With working between the two of us and taking care of the kiddos, everyone is rather worn out. *And to think it's only been almost 4 weeks of this...who knows how we'll be in another 4 weeks!*
I've been enjoying taking G-man to school in the mornings...especially on the mornings when it's not so RIDICULOUSLY hot!!! After we drop him off, Cameron and I go on a walk (that is, when I'm not subbing). Those morning walks are super nice when it's not too hot. We enjoy our time together. I found myself the other day, though, resorting back to some childish behavior. I sometimes went out of my way to step on an overly crunchy looking leaf....or to roll C's stroller over said leaf. Little things like that make me happy. :)
This week, though, I haven't gotten the opportunity to take my morning walks with Cameron....and I haven't had the time to chase around the crunchy leaves. I've been subbing all week. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE subbing. It's nice to have the flexibility with my schedule if my kids are sick or if there's a doctor's appointment. But I do get so many ideas for the future classroom I will hopefully have, I get to learn new things to do in the aforementioned classroom, and I get to make wonderful contacts and work with great friends. But the thing I don't like is that it is not MY classroom. I've been waiting for years, now, to have my OWN classroom. There are boxes upon boxes upon bags upon various miscellaneous items scattered around our basement and home that attest to me not having my own classroom. I know it really does bother my husband that I have so much stuff for my future classroom. He gets annoyed by the amount of space my things take up. I don't blame him. I get kind of annoyed by the fact that it's all still sitting down there. I've had boxes of teaching stuff since I started college!!
I know that God has a plan for me. I know that He has the perfect plan and the perfect place that I should be. But I must admit.....the whole being patient part is giving me some trouble. Lots of trouble, in fact. It's hard not to worry since my certification expires in May of 2013 and we can't afford for me to even try to go back to get my Masters until I am working in a district in my own classroom.
It's hard not to worry about our finances since, let's face it, we're technically poor. We don't go out to eat. We watch our spending very carefully. We don't go on vacation. We don't pay for daycare or babysitting because we can't afford it....we have WONDERFUL family members who understand and help and love our children and us. Despite all of this, our children don't want for anything. There is always food on the table, clothes on their backs, a roof over their heads, and more love in the world for them. I know Matthew and I have some very sleepless nights a lot of the time because of the stress of our lives......but we're blessed. I know that His blessings will continue to rain down upon us as long as we remain servants of Him.
If you haven't heard the song "Blessings" by Laura Story, listen to it. I feel as though it's my anthem. I know this was a bit of rant, but it's also a rave....a rave of the wonderful love and blessings that are bestowed on my little family by a loving Father.
I've been enjoying taking G-man to school in the mornings...especially on the mornings when it's not so RIDICULOUSLY hot!!! After we drop him off, Cameron and I go on a walk (that is, when I'm not subbing). Those morning walks are super nice when it's not too hot. We enjoy our time together. I found myself the other day, though, resorting back to some childish behavior. I sometimes went out of my way to step on an overly crunchy looking leaf....or to roll C's stroller over said leaf. Little things like that make me happy. :)
This week, though, I haven't gotten the opportunity to take my morning walks with Cameron....and I haven't had the time to chase around the crunchy leaves. I've been subbing all week. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE subbing. It's nice to have the flexibility with my schedule if my kids are sick or if there's a doctor's appointment. But I do get so many ideas for the future classroom I will hopefully have, I get to learn new things to do in the aforementioned classroom, and I get to make wonderful contacts and work with great friends. But the thing I don't like is that it is not MY classroom. I've been waiting for years, now, to have my OWN classroom. There are boxes upon boxes upon bags upon various miscellaneous items scattered around our basement and home that attest to me not having my own classroom. I know it really does bother my husband that I have so much stuff for my future classroom. He gets annoyed by the amount of space my things take up. I don't blame him. I get kind of annoyed by the fact that it's all still sitting down there. I've had boxes of teaching stuff since I started college!!
I know that God has a plan for me. I know that He has the perfect plan and the perfect place that I should be. But I must admit.....the whole being patient part is giving me some trouble. Lots of trouble, in fact. It's hard not to worry since my certification expires in May of 2013 and we can't afford for me to even try to go back to get my Masters until I am working in a district in my own classroom.
It's hard not to worry about our finances since, let's face it, we're technically poor. We don't go out to eat. We watch our spending very carefully. We don't go on vacation. We don't pay for daycare or babysitting because we can't afford it....we have WONDERFUL family members who understand and help and love our children and us. Despite all of this, our children don't want for anything. There is always food on the table, clothes on their backs, a roof over their heads, and more love in the world for them. I know Matthew and I have some very sleepless nights a lot of the time because of the stress of our lives......but we're blessed. I know that His blessings will continue to rain down upon us as long as we remain servants of Him.
If you haven't heard the song "Blessings" by Laura Story, listen to it. I feel as though it's my anthem. I know this was a bit of rant, but it's also a rave....a rave of the wonderful love and blessings that are bestowed on my little family by a loving Father.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
First Day of First Grade
Don't get me wrong. I love that Gabriel is in school, that he's such a super smart kiddo that soaks everything up, that really does enjoy learning. But there's just something about the first day of school that hits a mother right in the depths of her heart...her baby, going to school, away from her, growing up. Granted, this is only my second "first day of school" for Gabriel. I try to tell myself that it will get easier....I know it won't, though. I'm already dreading the day I move him to college. I know I'm going to be a blubbering fool that day! Let's not get ahead of ourselves here...that day is many years away. I have to remind myself of that all the time.
So this was a nice and sappy post. Happy first day of first grade, G-man! I love you!!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Post 1....The Beginning
As a person who never really thought would blog, I've been inspired by a couple of friends to do so. So this is it...this is me blogging.
I'll admit, I could get sappy at times. I could get cranky at times. I could gush at times. But it's all part of me.
A couple of reasons to blog:
1) I think this will help in keeping me on track and accountable for some personal goals I've set for myself.
2) While it might sound a little cliche, it would be nice to be able to express myself.
So, that's all for Post 1. More to come soon!
I'll admit, I could get sappy at times. I could get cranky at times. I could gush at times. But it's all part of me.
A couple of reasons to blog:
1) I think this will help in keeping me on track and accountable for some personal goals I've set for myself.
2) While it might sound a little cliche, it would be nice to be able to express myself.
So, that's all for Post 1. More to come soon!
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