Things are changing ...

When  your kids are little you see them change with each passing year.  You change their diapers and watch them try to walk.  Then comes them starting school and you think ..13 years seems like a very long time, but it goes so quickly.  

I remember the day that my two oldest kids started kindergarten.  I remember crying as I walked them into their class rooms.  Then came the time for them to graduate from elementary school- now all three of my kids have graduated from elementary school. 

I think the hardest day besides them starting Kindergarten  was when they started high school.  Because I knew that those four years of high school would be the fastest years of their lives.  I was so right!!  Now, I have two of my kids that have graduated from high school and one that is now an 8th grader. 

I miss the days of when the kids were little.  I loved watching them grow up.  Of learning to pull themselves up and learn to walk.  There are the many days of being at the baseball fields .. not sure if I could ever count up those days, especially with two boys that have played.  I wouldn't change anything.  I wouldn't take back one of these days that I either froze or burned up watching my kids play. 

Now, I only have 5 yrs before my last child will graduate from high school.  But with the next five years brings many more changes.  My oldest son is getting married in two months and I am not sure what my son that just graduated will be doing.  Who knows he may be married by the time my daughter graduates.  I may even have grand kids by then.

I can't wait to see what road the Lord leads me down now .... bring on the next five years  and the many changes that will go with it.  Thank You Lord for the years that I have had with my kids ... I am blessed beyond measure!!!!

Energy ... finally!!!

Over 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism.  During this time, I have fought to have energy and I mean energy just to get through the simplest tasks.  It was getting worse.  My normal day consisted of .... driving bus in the morning, coming home and sleeping from 30 min to hour and half - depending on how tired I was that morning, then I would get somethings done and before I was to go on bus in afternoon I might lay back down for a few minutes.  It would be all I could do some days to get through my bus route in the afternoons - then I would come home and crash on the sofa.  Some days I wouldn't go to sleep but I couldn't move either.   I would wait til the last possible moment to get up and start supper.  I was noticing that I was getting later and later as time went on.  Supper consisted of something quick and easy.  I sure didn't want to spend alot of time in the kitchen cooking.  After supper I would have to lay back down for a little while so that I could get up and clean the kitchen.  Now, it was getting close to time to go to bed. 

As I look back over those days, I was barely functioning.  I was doing only what I had to do at that moment to get through that day.  My house was starting to take its toll.

But NO more!!  A friend of mine introduced me to Advocare Spark drink.  It is the most amazing thing I have ever come across.  It is loaded in vitamins and minerals, especially B6 & B12.  It is like getting a B12 shot with each drink.  I have had B12 shots before and they didn't work like this drink does.  It has been a very long time since I have had this kind of energy. 

In one day along, I vacuum the bedrooms twice, vacuumed the ceilings in two of the rooms and scrubbed the bathrooms.  Now, I know that might not sound like a lot for some people but for me that was major. 

Since then I have tried several different products from  Advocare and have become an advisor.  I believe in the products and the company that much.  I take the MNS Max 3 - which is a mix of multivitamin, fish oil, calcium and some other vitamins.  There are so many products that they offer - anything from helping you lose weight (24 day challenge) to performance.  There are some great non-paid endorses - Drew Brees is my favorite. 

If you would like more information please go to my website and check things out.  You can click on shop - there will be different categories that you can go under.  If you would like to know what is in a product or what is does - click on that product picture and it will bring up all that information.   If you find something that you would like to try send me a comment on this post and I will give you a discount on your first order.

 I promise you ... you won't be disappointed. 

www.advocare.com/120323051

So much going on ...

My life is always busy but this time year is worse.  With it being the end of the school year to being full force at the concession stand, but this year is different.  It is busier.  Mark, my middle son, is graduating from high school and Thomas, my oldest is getting married in a couple of months.  I have also added another job to my list of part time jobs and I am saving the best for last ... I have been down with my back. 

I am not sure what I have done to my back, probably working in the concession stand and lifting things.  The pain has been bad at times and has put me in the bed on days.  I have gone to my regular doctor and to an orthopedic, both thinking it is pulled muscles.  Waiting to see if for an MRI to be done to make sure.  With me being hurt I haven't been driving the school bus and I hate it with it being the last two weeks of school.  But there is nothing I can do about it. 

I wonder if God does do things to slow us down.  I wouldn't be surprised if he did this so that I would slow down and take some time to chill out.  I barely had the energy to watch TV or read my book, little along do anything else.  Now you know how it is when mom is down ..nothing in the house gets done.  My family has done pretty good, but my house is a mess.  Are we the only ones that see the mess?  Seriously, they don't see the things laying around as a mess?  Oh well .. having to learn to just chill for the time being. 

I am still losing weight and I have found the best products for energy and helping me lose more weight.  I will tell you all about it in the next post. 

I am excited about my son, Mark, graduating from high school on Friday, May 25th.  It has been a long hard road with him through his school years and I thought I would never make it to this point, but WE DID!!  And I am so proud of him and the person that he has become.  He is just a nice young man  .. that any mom would be proud of.  I am not sure what he is planning to do with the rest of his life, but his life is in God's hands, and I am entrusting Him to guide and lead Mark on his path through life. 

Feels so good to be back ... had computer problems and haven't been able to get on to post any blogs, but got that all worked out.  I am looking forward to posting more on my blog.  Until later .....

The next chapter ...

Life is always changing but I am not sure if I am ready for the next chapter.  I am not saying that I dont' want it to happen, I just didnt' think it would ever happen so fast. 

My kids were just little kids the other day.  What happened?  Did I sleep too much one night or blink my eyes too many times?  Why it is I just seem to turn around and they are grown up?  Can I turn back the clock, please?  Or do I really want to do that?  Am I ready for the next chapter?  I guess I am going to have to be ....

My oldest son, Thomas, is getting married.  I still see my little boy that wanted to do nothing but play baseball.  I guess in my eyes he will always be my little boy.  But I have to see him start a new chapter in his life.  I really am excited for him. 

Thomas & Lisa

I couldn't have picked a better mate for him.  She loves sports as much as he does.  She coaches softball for another high school in our area.  They have hit it off - just clicked!!  They have been dating for two months and have decided to get married.  I couldn't be happier for him.  God has truly blessed him with a very special person to spend the rest of his life with ...

Can't wait to share all the wedding planning and wedding with you all.  It is going to be a whirlwind!!!  I will cherish each and every memory of this happy moment in my son's life.  To be continued ....

Losing Weight Journey

This weight loss journey is a crazy one, to say the least.   It is really hard on some days and rather easy on the others.  My life has been so crazy for the past month or two that losing weight has been harder for me.  I haven't been planning my meals around my life.  I have been letting life happen and then have to eat whatever I can find.  This isn't good on any diet and especially when you are on the one I am on. 

I would love to put all the blame on my crazy life, but that wouldnt' the truth.  I have been having a hard time staying 100% on plan since Christmas.  It is the sweets that are driving me crazy.  I have to blame in on the cinnamon rolls - oh but they were soooo good.  Now, I am having those darn sweet cravings and having a really hard time getting rid if them.  One good thing though .. when I eat too much sweets I am getting really bad headaches. 

I have got to do the 10 days detox to get all these carb cravings out of my system.  I know that I can do this .. I did it before .. I can do it again.  I am going to get my book, Metabolism Miracle, back out and re-read it.  This way it will get me all pumped back up and re-learn things that I am not doing. 

Even though I have been having slip-ups, I dont' want to be too hard on myself.  I am still doing good most of the time.  I have still lost about 30 pounds and around 25 total inches.  My jeans that I bought that were 4 sizes smaller are becoming bigger on me.  Now, that is a great feeling!!  I am scheduled to take my measurements today.  On this plan, it isnt' about the weight loss it is about the inches.   You weigh and take measurements once a month - and today is the day.  I am so excited to see how much I have lost.  I will share my results.  Even though, I hate pictures of myself I will try to get some on here so that I can share my success. 

Off to re-reading my MM book .... until later

I am sooo Blessed!!!

I try to remind myself quite often how blessed I am with my healthy kids.  I dont' think I know the meaning of just how truly blessed I am.  I don't think any of us do.  That is until yesterday ....

For the past two days our country radio station has been doing their annual St. Jude's telethon.  Even though I dont' listen to country anymore, I have found the best Christian station and have been listening to it, I really can't listen during the telethon.  I just can't handle when it deals with kids.  However, I do count my blessings and thank God for my healthy kids, which I know that I take for granted.

Every year our recreation association gives money to St. Jude's.  We like giving but it means a little bit more to us.  We had a boy that played at Boynton when he was a kid and he later died due to one of the diseases that is covered by St. Jude's.  We have even named a field after him.  He was a sweet kid - loved life and loved the game of baseball.

Me handing the Boynton Rec check to Mr. Heard
for St. Jude's

I got to be one of the people that took the money to the telethon  yesterday.  It was really humbling to see the parents of the boy that played at Boynton all those years ago.  They have worked with St. Jude's in helping raise money, ever since.  We stood and talked about Cody and how he loved playing baseball.  How he always had a smile on his face.  Both of the parents had smiles on their faces and lit up when they talked about him and remembered him playing.  I was having to fight back tears.  I can't even imagine what they went through at the time Cody was sick and then passing away.   

On my drive home, all I could do was Thank God for my kids, for them being healthy and being the great young adults that they have become. I am so truly blessed beyond measure!!  I also Thanked God for people like Cody's parents that are amazing and are giving back to an organization that was there for them in their time of need. 

In this crazy world we live in there is still so many things to be thankful for ... we really don't have too look too far for them.

Getting Lost ....

Why do I let myself get lost?  I am not meaning going somewhere, but losing myself.  I get way out of balance at times with everything that I have going on that I forget about myself.   I forget to take care of myself, which should be one of my top priorities and at times it isn't even a priority.  Why?

As women, we are pulled in so many different directions - we are mom, wife, daughter, sister, aunt - then if we work outside the home, which I am working way too many jobs - that adds, bookkeeper, secretary, school bus driver, Pampered Chef consultant, concession stand manager and anything else that I can find to do.  I didn't even mention the jobs that we do at home - housecleaning, cooking, taxi driver, bookkeeper and the list can go on and on.

I think the main reason is I can't say 'NO'.  I want to make sure that things get done and I do like helping others.  But I have to learn that I can't do it all.  I am so still learning. 

I decided today to try to take a day for myself, at least the morning anyway.  I took a nice long hot bath, read part of a magazine and now enjoying some computer time, and I don't mean working.  

This is my prayer for the week ... that the Lord will help show me to have balance in my life - to learn to say "No" and mean it.  That even though I have always done it all .. that I can't keep doing it all.

I have to take of myself, first.  Why do you think they tell you on the airplane to put your oxygen mask on first?  We are no good to others if we dont' first have oxygen. 

the same God .....

I have always liked different kinds of music, with the 70's & 80's being my favorite; until about a couple of weeks ago.  I was flipping through the stations trying to find music, not talking, when I came across a christian radio station.  I have been listening to it since that day.  I love the station!!!!  And what a difference it has made in my daily life ... I can tell a difference in my attitude and feelings. 

I heard a song that I have feel in love with .... "The same God" by Newsong.  The words really hit me this week .... That God is the same God whether we are going through good times or bad times.  I have really thought about this and it is TRUE!!  Do we always feel this way?  I know that I haven't in the past ...  well I have never thought about it this way before.  But when things are going GREAT we love God!! Worship him!! Praise him!!! Will tell others about him!! BUT when times are hard we seem to want to blame God ... get angry with God ... yell and complain to him.  BUT He is still the same GOD!!!

The Same God is with you then is with you now ...
The same God that lead in will lead you out ...
So take all the fear and doubt .. go on and lay them down ...
The same God is with you now ...
Oh can't you see everything happens for a reason ...
There's a time theres' a place for every season ....
He knows what's best for you ...
So don't be afraid!!!

These are definitely words that I am going to try to live by.  See God in a different way .... He is the same God!! And he Loves us .... He does know what is BEST for us!!  Thank you God for never changing and for always being there for me .....

Still Here ....

Sorry for the long time in between posts.  The time just seems to slip away .. not sure where some days go.  I am going to start making more time to post on my site.  I have loved posting and have actually missed it.  It is like a get away for me .. a place to post what is going on in my crazy life.  I am not sure if anyone would believe me if I told all that has been going on lately. 

As I am finding out over the past few months ...life happens and how we handle what life throws our way says alot about us as a person as a christian.  I have to admit .. I haven't been handling things so well.  I have even had my moments of breaking down.  I have even gotten to the point of knowing and feeling that I honestly couldn't take one more thing to happen.  However through all this mess .. I keep telling my myself that the Lord is in Control!!!  That keeps me going ...

I am still on the Metabolism Miracle Plan and still losing weight.  I am so proud of myself!!!  I still give ALL the credit to the Lord!!!  There is no way I could ever do this on my own ...  I have lost around 28 pounds and a total of 25 inches (all over).  I got to buy me some new jeans!!!  I went down 4 sizes - that is what they say - but I went from a 20 Women's Plus size to a 16 WP - I think that is only 2 sizes.  Not sure how to count that ... anyway these new jeans are getting bigger on me.  I just can't put into words what that feels like.  Maybe this time I can go OUT of the plus sizes for GOOD!!! 

I got a new workout tape for Christmas.  I got the Biggest Loser for the WII.  I am loving it!! It has totally been kicking my tail.  I give the last 5 inches and 6 pounds to doing this tape.  I am doing the total body work out.  I do feel better after doing the workout!!! 

I promise to be back and I will write some of the things that have been going on around my house ... a little crazy to say the least.   I would like to have it written out .. my mom keeps telling me I need to write a book.  lol  Maybe one day ...