Before and After

We had a church yard sale a few weeks ago to support our Africa mission trip this summer. (Which I need to do a whole separate post on that....) No one bought this piece of furniture and I was secretly excited so I could take it home. I had big plans for this beauty:)

Before...
and After...
Amazing huh? I know you are jealous. I would be.

This is my body...

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,

“Take and eat; this is my body.”

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying,“Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom."

Matthew 26:26-29

Welcome to Middle Aged

Ok ok, I know most people think 30 is "young." But that is just old people talking. Really. NO one younger than 30 thinks it is young. Everyone is in denial. Because it is old. Really really old.

I got an application for AARP in the mail on Monday.

I sat down to eat dessert tonight and my hands started trembling. I googled it of course. (Side note: why has google become the go to for medical information. We all know it has nothing good to say, but we do it anyway. I digress.) And the first cause of hand tremors...

Middle Aged.

Seriously. When did this happen? I know I just turned 21 like yesterday. I swore off pictures on off myself today. No documentation means that it didn't happen, right? I did take a picture of the AWESOME tiramisu that Matt made for my "special" day.

He is the best. I think I will keep him:)

So in the non celebratory way that I have welcomed 30, I have decided to do an update list of the things I want to get done over the next year.

So here they go....31 things to do before I am 31! (Oh my word, I will be 31 next year. It makes me itch it sounds so horribly old. Blah.)

1.) Read through 5 chapter books with Naomi and Gabby

2.) Find a new homeschool curriculum and start next year off more organized.

3.) Develop a more consistent prayer life.

4.) Lose 8-10 more pounds with a goal weight of 137-140

5.) Concentrate on building strength in my core.

6.) Have visible arm muscles.

7.) Memorize the book of James

8.) Consistently teach the girls scripture memory work.

9.) Do some type of mission trip (either local or abroad.)

10.) Go and see a play

11.) Spend a weekend with Matt without kids

12.) Start a family game night.

13.) Teach the big girls to swim and ride their bikes without training wheels

14.) Go sledding.

15.) Make two complete new dinner dishes a month.

16.) Stick with a weekly budget

17.) Watch less TV

18.) Make a new friend.

19.) Do a pull up without a chair

20.) Work a 1000 piece puzzle with Gabby

21.) Think about letting Naomi get a new puppy.

22.) Take a photography class

23.) Master my sewing skills

24.) Make each girl at least one outfit.

25.) Finish Corin's first year scrapbook.

26.) Get new family photos.

27.) Work on being less judgmental.

28.) Buff up my knowledge on US history.

29.) Read through Revelations.

30.) Make homemade bread once a month

31.) Drink more water.

Whew. That was a tough list. I know some of these are kinda easy but I just wanted to be realistic!

Now off to go cry myself to sleep at my old age. Boo Hoo.

Weight Loss/Knee issues

OK so I took a LOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGGGG hiatus from blogging about my weight loss journey. It has been incredibly frustrating because I have had knee troubles since mid October. I went to the doctor and she sent me to physical therapy. I did that for 10 weeks and still was not getting any better. I went back to get an x-ray and MRI of my knee. Both came back negative (not to my surprise.)

So here is the main problems:

1.) Weak Glutes- You know, my butt. Women generally carry more fat around their butt which in turn means less muscle. Less butt muscle causes problems all the way down.
2.) Weak Core- Well that is a no brainer. And this is not the core that sit ups will help. It is those underlying muscles that are really hard to target that are basically killed during pregnancy. Lots of bridges, planks, and yoga is what I need to be doing.
3. Weak/Unstable hips and pelvis-Hmmm, I have birthed 3 children. But yes, with weak and wobbly hips, running becomes very unstable and horrible on all the lower joints.

So add all of this together= inflamed IT bands, and horrible knee pain. The knees end up taking on the load for all the weak parts, and pretty much ends in knee pain every time.

I know I am not alone in this, well because I know of at least 3 other friends who are having the exact same problems.


So the solution is....A commitment to strengthening all my weak parts. This sounds easy, but it is most certainly not. It requires me to stick to a very struck regimen of exercises EVERY DAY for at least 12 weeks. And to be honest I still don't like strength training at all. I finally after years found an exercise I LOVED in running and I pretty much have to start over and a lot slower this time. I definitely think I picked up my pace and distance to fast without allowing my body to be ready it.


As far as my weight goes. I have been able to pretty much maintain my weight for the last 6 months. I am actually pretty happy with this, since I tend to eat worse when I exercise less.

April 2nd- 147.9

I would still like to lose about 8-10 pounds but I am not going to stress over it. I want my goal to be a lifetime of healthiness, not stressing or idolizing a certain number or size. I feel I finally have a grasp on my weight and don't ever want to go back!

So what do you think?

So there is a big story/controversy/stink going on in my hometown over a t-shirt company. The company decided not to sell t-shirts to a group buying some for a gay and lesbian pride rally of some sort. Now the public schools are halting their orders with the company until the controversy is resolved.

What do you think? Do companies have the right to stand on moral ground and NOT sell to certain people? Is this discrimination? Should they be bullied for it? Thoughts? Opinions?


http://www.lex18.com/news/fayette-county-school-district-puts-hold-on-shirt-purchases-amid-controversy?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150723482234793_22824023_10150723749304793

SNOW

When we went to West Virginia last month the girls got to experience SNOW for maybe the 3rd time in their life. There was quite a good snow falling one afternoon and evening. They loved getting all geared up and playing in the snow. I love this look on Gabs face in this first picture:)This second picture just melts my heart. Most days I look at my girls and just want to hit pause or rewind. Life just passes by so quickly and I can't believe how old they are or how much they have grown.....

But then occasionally I get moments like these, where my girl looks so small and still needs mama bear to help her get her gloves on. Oh how I love these girls!

A trip to the zoo + good friends = Loads of fun:)

We stopped at the zoo in Columbia on the way to West Virginia for the youth ski trip. We got to visit with the Carters for the morning. The zoo was super nice and lots of fun. The girls loved all the animals and especially loved seeing the birds land on Mimi's head!



PS. I. AM. A. BAD. BLOGGER.

SORRY:(

This little one is 18 1/2 months old. She is such a HAM!

She finally started walking independently. Praise the LORD!

She weighs 24 lbs and I can't remember how long she is...50-70 % tile for both.

She is quite the picky eater now and her go to foods are bananas, applesauce, pretzels, black beans, ham, pancakes, and waffles. She can not tolerate milk right now:(

(Photo from iPhone)

She loves to play with her sisters and loves to wear their shoes.

She has the cutest smile and this little dimple that I could just eat up.

Her hair is coming in very blonde, much lighter than her older sisters.

We love our sweet Corin!