My journey...

I am on a journey that started about 11 weeks ago.  This journey includes weight-loss, exercise and a life style change to eating healthier.  In these 11 weeks I have lost 14 pounds.

These pounds have not come off easily.  It has taken work and dedication, but it is also rewarding.  There are days when I feel like this is part of my daily routine and wouldn't give it up for anything.  And then there are the days that I don't want to workout, but I do anyways.  Some days are difficult, some days are just there, some days are good and some days are great.

Today was a great day.  I have come to discover I have a cheering section on this journey.  I have family and friends who provide encouragement and support each day.  Thank you to all of you who have cheered me on, encouraged me and provided support.  Today I also came to the realization that I have people cheering for me who I would consider acquaintances.  One of them came by to talk and to give me encouragement during my workout today.  WOW!  It was refreshing to have that person provide support in so many ways and he probably does not even know it.

My journey will continue on and I will take it day by day.  I know that to be healthy there is no "dieting", it is a change in eating habits.  Changes include healthy eating...fresh fruits and vegetables, minimal carbs and lean meats.  It also means exercise.  For me I enjoy the exercise for many reasons.  I feel refreshed when I am done.  I feel energized.  I also get some time to myself.  I put my ear buds in, turn my iPod on and start my workout.  I try to change-up my workout each day.  I may just change one little thing or I may change-up the whole work out.

Thru this journey I am learning a lot about myself.  I feel great and I can't wait to keep this journey going for 11 more weeks, then 11 more, and more and more and more.

Thank you to everyone who has given me support, I could not do this on my own!

Julianne and Katelyn's artwork

Here are pictures of the artwork Julianne and Katelyn have done at school this year.

Katelyn's polar bear

Katelyn's stocking

Katelyn's little girl

Julianne's Valentine Butterfly

Julianne's Pumpkin

Julianne's Christmas Tree

This is my favorite of Julianne's artwork.  They were asked to do a picture of what Christmas means to them.  She did Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.  I am so proud that we are raising her thru God's grace.

Julianne's ornaments 

Katelyn's baby Jesus

Katelyn's Humpty Dumpty

Katelyn's Brown Bear

Julianne's mask

Katelyn's Spookley pumpkin

Katelyn's candy corn

Julianne's green mask

Julianne's dinosaur depiction

Julianne's "Beach Map"

Katelyn's bird picture

Dance Competition - Lawrence, KS

About a week and a half ago Julianne was in the IDC dance competition in Lawrence, KS.  The whole family went to watch her perform.  The girls did a great job and I believe earned a gold award.

Here are a few pictures:

 Julianne's class and two of their teachers.

Julianne's jazz class. 

Julianne and Emily 

Julianne, Emily, and Abby 

Julianne posing. 

Katelyn and Julianne.

A beautiful Sunday!

Today was a beautiful day outside!

The girls went to Sunday School this morning and then to the grocery store with me.  After the grocery store it was outside to play while I prepared lunch.  The girls played outside for about 30 minutes until lunch.  After lunch it was back outside for both Julianne and Katelyn.  Not too long after that William joined them because he just didn't want to nap!  It was great to get outside with the kids today.  I spent most of my time taking pictures, chasing William, and watching the girls.  Brian was outside with us too.  He FINALLY put Katelyn's bike together and she was SO excited!

Here are some pictures of us enjoying the beautiful day outside that God blessed us with.

(Sorry about the turned picture, I have rotated it and added it multiple times, but it just isn't sticking!)

A few videos.

William going down the slide...

William climbing up the play set rock wall...

William on a trike...

Katelyn riding her new bike...

William...

My oh my, can William throw a temper tantrum!

But he can also smile and laugh and melt your heart!

I love my baby boy!  He will always be my baby boy who pulls at my heart strings.  He is becoming a toddler and full of life.  William is always on the go and exploring.  He is very interested in electronics and tries to plug old power cords into anything he can.  Don't worry, we have safety covers on the outlets so he can't plug them into those and get hurt.

This spring and summer are going to be quite an adventure with my baby boy as he continues to grow and explore the wonders of God outside!

St. Patty's Day Thank you

Grammy and Papa, thank you for the money and socks for St. Patty's Day!  We love both....and we love you!!

A Day of Fun and a Night Away...

Sometimes it is nice just to have a night away, even if you still are in the same town you live in.  Julianne had a Friday off from school just over a week ago, so we planned a fun day for the kids.  And by we, I do mean Brian and I.  He was able to come home on a Thursday night and we had a 3-day weekend with him.  It was great!

Not to mess up my workout routine, we got up Friday morning and headed to the Y.  I did my normal time on the treadmill and elliptical and did a few weights.  Brian did some weights also and talked with a few people.  After working out upstairs, we headed downstairs and played a little racquetball.  This was my first time playing and was quite nervous about getting hit by the ball (I have seen the marks the ball has left on both Brian and my Dad).  First we just volleyed (don't know if this is an appropriate racquetball word, but I am going to use it as if it is) the ball and then Brian explained the rules to me.  We started to play a game, but soon deviated back to volleying.  Luckily Brian was okay with that, we both got a good workout in chasing the little ball.  I had fun, don't know if I am ready to play the game yet, but do enjoy just hitting the ball around.  I couldn't believe how much of a workout racquetball is.

After we got done working out, we got the kiddos and took them to the play park for a bit.  They had fun.  William is loving the play park these days.  He climbs up the stairs, plays in the tunnels for a bit, and then back down the stairs he comes.  He doesn't care for the slide, but loves the rest of the play park.

After the play park we headed home for some lunch and fun time.  The neighbor boy, Connor, came over to play with the girls for a bit during nap time.  They played outside for a bit and then came in, played dress-up and danced.   Here are a few pictures of the dress-up and dancing:

The kids had a blast dancing.  In fact, all dressed-up Connor said, "I am Tinkerbell!"  I think the great part is that the kids can have fun together at our house or at Connor's.  Here they seem to play with "girl" toys and at his house they play with "boy" toys.  They are learning from each other each time they play together and do not even know it.  It is so nice to have friends right across the street!

After the time at home in the afternoon we headed to the Comfort Inn & Suites in Chillicothe for the night.  The girls were VERY excited, to say the least! The girls love to swim and they enjoy staying at hotels.  Once we checked-in, we went swimming for a little bit, then we took a break and had pizza for dinner.  After dinner we went swimming some more.  Brian took William back to the room for a bath and to put him to sleep.  After getting William to sleep, Julianne and Katelyn watched a movie.  Neither Brian or I stayed awake to watch the movie, but the girls enjoyed it.

Here are a few pictures from swimming:

William loved "floating" in the pool and throwing balls. 

Katelyn had a great time swimming.  She is even starting to swim underwater! 

The next morning we all got up and had a wonderful breakfast.  After breakfast we went swimming again.  We let the girls swim for about 2 hours before we checked out from our night of fun.  It was an enjoyable night that I will cherish for many years to come!