PLATEAU

PLATEAU: little or no change.....

this has been my challenge the past 5 months..... count them FIVE!!! i started my weight loss journey in April 2009 and the goal set before me was to lose 75 pounds UGH!!!!! At the time it seemed IMPOSSIBLE, something that i hoped would happen, i dreamed would happen, thus, the journey begins. The first 30 pounds fell off, oh sure it was hard work, but, every week i was seeing a loss for all the sweat and calorie watching i was doing. In early September, i set a goal, i wanted to loss 45 pounds by Halloween. At the time it seemed doable, after all, i had successfully lost about 35 pounds. I was exercising about 5-6 days a week, i was careful about every thing i put into my mouth.Certainly i could lose 10 pounds in about 6 weeks. HA!

Well, lets fast forward to March 24,2010, i finally hit the 45 pound lost mark! yes, i will lose 45 pounds by Halloween, Halloween 2010! keeping a sense of humor hasn't always been the easiest thing to do the past 5 months. I hit a plateau and since November 11,2009 i didn't lose a pound!! sure i did lose and gain the same 1-2 pounds for 5 months. Last week at weight watchers, i was ready to quit, throw in the towel, i had enough of exercising and watching every morsel going into my mouth and showing up on Wednesday morning to weigh in and the scale showing NO results..... when someone has lost a lot of weight, very seldom do they talk about plateaus. It is the thing that makes someone want to quit. But i couldn't, i have come to far. Plus, if i quit i would have let myself and others down!! if i would have quit after last week i wouldn't have had the celebration yesterday!! i lost 5.8 pounds woo hooo!!! it made me cry, because, if i would have done what i wanted to do i wouldn't have been at weight watchers yesterday. I am soooo glad i didn't listen to my voice!!! lots of people go through plateaus, but until it happens to you, you can't appreciate the courage it takes to keep going when all you want to do is throw in the towel , or throw the scale out the window!!!

I have ordered a shirt from Team 413 , the back of the shirt is posted at the top of this blog....

Philippians 4:13

" I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength:"

Cracker Barrel Sundays

Sundays have become my favorite day of the week, not only do i go to church, but Sunday is the day i have lunch with Jamie and Andrew. Today on the way to church i realized how much i love this time with them. When they both were at home our day for our regulary scheduled family dinner was monday night, i cooked and they were both at home and of course jason was here too, (i am planning on dedicating a whole blog on jason). Well, they are not living at home anymore, so Sunday has become our day. We used to try to figure out where to go, it has become easier just to meet at Cracker Barrel. We discuss lots of issues around the lunch table, politics,religion,sports,sports,sports,girls,movies, music and much more. i value this time to connect with my boys, they have quickly become men and it is priceless to get to know them for who they are becoming and learning what makes them tick even if i don't always agree i always try to respect them.

i know when i receive a call and it has "jamie" or "andrew" on the caller i.d , it makes me happy and they can tell by the way i answer the phone i am glad they called me. I wonder if God feels the same way when i talk to him and try to get to know Him.

i will continue to enjoy my "Cracker Barrel Sundays"

Thank You...

The past 2 weeks i have gone to dinner or coffee with two different friends who are going through some tough issues in their life. As i listen to them tell their story, i feel like i have been kicked in the stomach. Why? because i can understand what they are going through, i can relate, i take myself back to that place i was when my world turned upside down. UGH!! As i look back, almost 10 years later, it amazes me, no, it OHmazes me to see God's hand on mine and my boys life. I never thought i would ever feel "normal" again. Actually i don't know what "normal" is, but i know i can say "Thank you" to God for carrying me when i couldn't carry myself,for loving me when i didn't feel lovable, bringing people into my life i can't imagine living without, and giving me a joy that i can't understand or explain.

Today in church the question was raised.... "Is there a purpose for your pain?" God doesn't waste a hurt, habit or hang up. i have to be willing to use them for His good. you might not know how God is going to use your life experience to encourage someone else...give someone a little bit of hope that they once again will feel "normal" again.

There is a song that i love, it was my theme song back in the day of the just barely making it through... it is called "If You Want Me To" by Ginny Owen.. ( i tried to post on this blog, but.... those who know me best know that i am a little challenged when it comes to technology) so, look it up on youtube.com!!! The words to that song are powerful!!!

My life verse is found in Acts 20:24

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

it has been God's grace that has carried and sustained me, for that i have a thankful heart.

Have a great week and live laffing!!!!

Top Twenty, for Andrew who turns "20"

Andrew's Twentieth birthday is March 3rd!!!!

Top 20 memories and things i love about Andrew.........

1. 
   
   He is compassionate


2. 
   
   He loves God


3. 
   
   He is funny(one of the funniest i know)


4. 
   
   He always quotes movie lines or lyrics


5. 
   
   He has the most beautiful eyes and smile


6. 
   
   He has a strong work ethic


7. 
   
   He loves his brother


8. 
   
   He is generous


9. 
   
   He is grouchy in the morning


10. 
    
    He thinks he can dance


11. 
    
    He fell out of the car when he was 4 years old, yes, it was moving.


12. 
    
    He is loyal


13. 
    
    He loooovveeeessss Michigan sports (even when they are losing, see #11)


14. 
    
    He hates to talk on the phone


15. 
    
    He once had a piece of NERF ball stuffed in his nose and it was lodged in the nasal cavity for about 2 months, before the doctor discovered it


16. 
    
    He once stopped on the side of the road to help an older lady fix a flat tire, because he said as Christians that is what it is all about


17. 
    
    He calls me at least once a week


18. 
    
    He almost cut his finger off his junior year of high school while in wood shop class


19. 
    
    He remodeled my bathroom when he was 18 and did an amazing job


20. 
    
    He has blessed my life more than he will ever know and i am proud to be his mom!

I am NOT a hair professional.....

I have always had this idea that i might like to be a hair stylist. I began my "career" a few summers ago, my first "Client" was Janet aka "true friend". It all began on a hot summer night and she wanted a new color.... so the adventure began, she had a box of Clairol, and we set up shop.The FIRST attempt didn't work out so well, off to wal-mart we went, i was kinda hoping she would just drop me off at the door, i wanted to save her the embarressment of seeing someone she knew..... Heck, i wanted to save her from the embarressment of seeing everyone!!!! Let's just say the color didn't look so good on her, it was kinda like sunflower yellow!!! In we went, to purchase a color that would work..... oh my, the hair stylist career wasn't working out so well for me.... we purchased another box of Clairol and headed back to janet's house.... so the process began all over again!This time the color turned out kinda like pumpkin orange.....she convinced me to stay the night.( because at this point it was very late)The next morning when i woke up she was on the phone with the kind folks at Clairol, they told her "do not color you hair again, because, it could fall out or turn green." OH SHOOT!!! Well, let's fast forward to last night.... i wanted to color my hair, i went to the store and purchased some Clairol....... (why did i do that?) i picked a color i thought would look good, came home and set up shop.....guess what??? when it was done and i washed and blew it dry... it looked nothing like the color on the box!!!!! DUH!!! I am so glad God is not like that...we never have to wonder what we are getting when it comes to Him. He does what he says He will do," I will never leave you nor, forsake you."
well, on my to do list for tomorrow... call a hair professional.....