Back to the Grind

I can't believe it's Tuesday and that it's September. It was so nice to have a lonnng 4 day weekend. The weather was gorgeous. It was in the 80s on Saturday and we were able to open up the windows in the apartment for the first time since April.

Work was ok today, but I'm sure it will be even busier tomorrow, as quite a few people took today off. During my lunch, I went and worked out. After work, I went to get the oil changed, did a little shopping for an outfit for my mother in law's wedding. Now it's off to get gas and go grocery shopping. We went through the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks this weekend and picked out several recipes to try. We are opening up our repertoire of dinner menu items. I'm excited to make new things. I'll definitely take some pictures of the new menu items as I make them and post them on the blog.

Breast Cancer Awareness Chain Game

One of my husband's cousin's wife's posted a link to a Blog post by C.G. Ward about the game that started this week and clogged the status update on Facebook as things like, "I'm 10 weeks and I'm craving..." I loved her article. Apparently, faking that you are expecting a baby was supposed to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. I really don't see the connection of the two. She had some great points. If you'd like to read her full post, here's a link to her blog: cgwardphotography.blogspot.com Being a huge supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness this game is completely offensive. There are many ways to raise awareness. One is to support a Breast Cancer Charity. There are so many different non-profit organizations. For several years I raised money and walked every mother's day for the Beverly Breast Cancer 5k walk. One of my friend's friend had Type IV Breast Cancer at age 32. She fought a huge fight, but lost her battle at age 35. She would come in her wheelchair and participate in the walk with us. How sad it was that she left 2 young daughters and a husband. Also, she touched on infertility in her blog post. There are so many women in this world who yearn to have a baby of their own, but have difficulty conceiving. Many people feel isolated and bear their pain in silence. I know that once I started seeing people post this on their boards it made really sad, even though I was excited that they were having a baby. We want a baby, but have not been fortunate enough to have one of our own. I would just ask that if you're going to play a silly, thoughtless game, think about the consequences of what you are doing, before posting it for the whole world to see. Also, ask yourself, is this really going to bring "awareness" to the cause.

Accountability

Ok...so It might get a bit boring, but I have to do this, because if I'm accountable, I will actually follow through. Today I could not wake up at 6am. I laid in bed wayyyy too long and had to get up to walk to work (aka the second bedroom). Instead of putting on some pj's, I ended up putting on my work out clothes. I wore them the entire day. When I got off work, I put my gym shoes on and went to the gym. YAY!!! Wearing my workout clothes all day really worked. It was a constant reminder of the commitment I have made to get fit and healthy.

Back On Track

After a rocky summer of very little exercise the last few months, I'm back on track. Saturday I started working out at the gym and doing my floor exercises at home. I was quite sore in my legs the next day. Today the alarm went off at 6am and I got up, got dressed and headed to the gym. I love when working out starts to get easier and the distance can get longer. I got home, got showered and I had a spring in my step all day long. Tomorrow I start all over again. My mother in law is getting married in a month and I hope to have shed some more weight before then... And so the journey begins...

It's July! Where has the time gone?

Well, Ben and I have been in Texas for the past 3 months and we love it here! Our ward is fabulous and we both have callings. Ben is the Ward Clerk and I'm the Mia Maid Advisor. I haven't been in Young Women in 13 years and so much has changed. I'm looking forward to this new adventure.

Right now, we are on the house hunt, but finding one in our ward boundaries is proving to be impossible as it is 2 blocks deep and 6 blocks wide. It makes for slim pickings, so we've had to start looking outside the boundaries.

I love the 4th of July! It is one of my favorite holidays. One thing I will miss this year are the fireworks in Chicago. They are always
so spectacular. I did however hear that one of the neighboring towns in Dallas has the number 3 ranking for best fireworks, so after I pick up Ben from the airport, hopefully we can go watch them.

We are so blessed to live in a country where we can choose our own destiny. We have so many freedoms, because of the sacrifice of those before us.

I'm so thankful to be an American.

Charity

This past year has had sooo many ups and downs. I feel like I've been on a roller coaster ride. Moving to Texas has been such a blessing for us. Ben is my rock and I'm so glad to have a wonderful, supportive husband.

I'm not going to lie. I've cried a ton this past year feeling sorry for myself about loosing our first baby. Emotionally, I think that is the toughest thing that I've ever had to experience in my life so far.

Finally I think I have gotten some answers... Moroni 7:40-48 struck my heart today. Below are a couple of the versus that popped out.

42 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope: for without faith there cannot be any hope.

43 And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart.

44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

I know I've read these scriptures a hundred times, but today they have offerred me guidance and direction.

There is a line in my patriarchal blessing that also has shed new light about developing the quality of charity.

I really need to work on developing charity, especially all of the qualities that are present in verse 45.

I feel so blessed to have the knowledge, that my Heavenly Father loves me and is mindful of my needs.

Weight Loss Journey

Drum roll please.... Today I got on the scale and I have lost a total of 20 lbs!!!! Yay!!! Happy Dance. Only 85 lbs to go.

What I weigh today is what I weighed when Ben and I got married in January of 2010.

I mark my weight loss goals with specific events that have happened in my life.

-15 more lbs (35 lbs total) I will weigh what I weighed when I met Ben in 2009

-20 more lbs (55 lbs total) is what I weighed when Jenny, Jilly and I were working out at the gym 5 days a week together in 2006

-30 more lbs (85 lbs total) is when I graduated from College in 2003

-20 more lbs (105 lbs total-Hit my target weight loss)-What I weighed when I started college in 1998.

Yes, it is sad to say over the past 13 years I've gained over 105 lbs. I know that I can make it back to what I weighed in 1998, which will make me happier and healthier.

This weight loss journey has taught me so much about myself. I have become conscience of the decisions I make. I'm an emotional eater, so whenever I have the urge to eat to comfort, I think about why I want to eat and then I resist the temptation. I have taken control of my life again and it feels great. I had to take a week off prior to vacation, because I was sick and recovering from the accident. Monday I started working out again and will be back on my 6 day a week training program. After I loose the next 35 lbs, I will post a before and half way through picture on the blog.