Officially, as of today, I have lost 27 pounds since the beginning of February! I am so thrilled and not only with the pounds lost but, the inches lost is even more remarkable. If you are reading this and you want to lose weight and get healthy, START NOW!
O, how I wish I would have started years ago, even months but I let soooo much time go by. I started this journey just a few months ago and I am seeing real results already, it’s amazing. At times, even this week before weigh in, I feel like it’s taking forever to see results but then I do a reality check. The results are there and they are real, slowly coming but surely coming. Start today!
Also, measure yourself in the beginning of your journey. I did not measure myself until about 7 weeks after I started. I measured at the beginning of April and then today… I have lost 14″ from all over, except my thighs. That is just in the last 4 weeks!
I work out just about everyday, we go to the gym at least six days a week. I do cardio using the treadmill, bike, and the elliptical. I also do strength training as well as Just Dance.
When I first started working out in February I could this machine for only 5 minutes before I was gasping and couldn’t go on.:
Then by last week I was up to 20 minutes!!
Yesterday I am happy to report that I did it for 25:38!
So thrilled at results!! Today I am going to shoot for 30!
A few years ago I came across video from a homeschool Mom, she had videos on homeschooling, also songs for preschoolers. It was a great help when starting out in the homeschool world. I started following her on Facebook and she now has thousands of fans. She posts Bible Studies, Devotionals and challenges. The blog is called Women Living Well.
This past Summer she posted a marriage challenge. Each week she posted inspirational and motivational articles that were geared at strengthening your marriage. What a refreshing topic too, to delight in your husband and to love and cherish him. I was hooked. This Fall she has posted a brand new challenge and the title alone got me!
“Making Your Home a Haven” was another blessing from this Godly woman I have come to consider a mentor of sorts. Check this challenge out! Especially now, in the midst of Fall. When all the schedules fill up with sports, activities, festivals, school, you name it. This is a great way to start the Fall off intentionally. Starting off with a goal of serenity and peace for you and your family. How can you go wrong? Join me!
Recently I saw a blog post from a Homeschool mom that I follow. Sam from The Kelley Eight was excited to start a journaling program. I have always wanted to journal but just felt overwhelmed with starting from scratch.
The cool thing about this journal program is that it has questions for you, that you answer. This is so much easier for me, whew!
Thanks to the Homeschool Chick and The Kelley Eight I will now be journaling this fantastically crazy journey we are on. I am thrilled, excited and thankful!
Here we go, Week #1
In my life this week…
Working my regular part-time, working on websites for others, homeschool, grocery shopping tonight, lots of organizing.
In our homeschool this week…
Math, math, math for the 1st grader, word problems and learning about feeding your body for science. Water experiment will be done with Daddy on Saturday. My 2 year old is doing centers, matching colors, shapes, baby animals to their mama’s he is doing so well!
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
The past several weeks have been jammed packed this week we took it easy. The boys did get to go on a field trip with their Aunt to their Butterfly Pavilion. They held a tarantula, saw turtles, snakes and butterflies.
My 1st grader also attending his weekly clubs meeting.
My favorite thing this week was…
Observing my 1st grader “get it” when it comes to double-digit vertical math. He was struggling then I saw the light bulb go off right in front of me, it was awesome to see!
What’s working/not working for us…
Sitting side-by-side my 1st grader definitely works for us, even better when the 2 little ones are actually out of the room. Not working – having the little ones around.
Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…
I am starting to like the more organic approach and not so regimented. I am realizing it does not have to look exactly like “school”. Less focus on checking off items… more focus on learning, the fundamentals yes, but really learning.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
Oliver, my 4 year old said “Mom, look I can count in Spanish with my eyes closed!”. He was so excited!
ONE more I am adding. My 4 year old loves to dress himself and I love his creativity and boldness. So each week I will show Oliver’s wardrobe choice of the week:
What other word can bring a smile across your face faster than the word Vacation? Awwee just saying it conjures up such warm, happy feelings.
As a child we always took a family trip in the Summer. Most of the time it was driving to Las Vegas and then on to Los Angeles and San Diego. I loved that road trip and came to love those cities. Even traveled back to them several times as an adult.
Other times we took trips around Colorado and New Mexico. Traveling around Colorado was always a treat since we mostly stayed in the great Rocky Mountains. Estes Park was always on our list of Summer destinations. The Stanley Hotel, from the movie The Shining, was so grand looking to me as a child. In Estes (as the locals call it) we would also frequent the bumper boats, go carts and the huge slides. Talking about all this takes me right back there.
Traveling south to New Mexico to visit Taos and Sante Fe both those towns left a great impression on my young mind. Such neat places with shops and galleries, so much to admire and look at. We would go further south down into Mexico and go shopping too. What rich memories fill my mind; traveling through the markets with my parents, who were hunting down treasures to sell at their store. The sites, sounds and people from another culture were like candy to me, so much excitement, activity, I loved it.
Mexican Market
As an adult I traveled extensively to Mexico. I have always had a heart for that country. I have felt that way most of life. Reflecting on that I think it may have started when I traveled there with family.
The travel bug bit me but I also had a full time job. I was jealous of friends I knew who were spending their 20’s backpacking and rafting through Central America. I had to stay satisfied with short trips and 1 extensive stay in Guadalajara. I will forever dream of “backpacking” around.
Fast forward: 2011, 3 kids, no vacation in more years than I can remember. Which is ok we do take day trips around Colorado, which I still love to do. However, like most other families we dream of the “Cruise” vacation, or a Disney Vacation, Legoland, NYC, you get the picture.
But when I sat down and really thought about where I would want to go to spend quality time with my family…. the answer came so quickly… which surprised me.
I have never been to this place but have heard from people who have. They say it is like being in a fairy tale book, trees taller and bigger than you can dream up, trees you can drive through, the lushest greenest vegetation you have ever laid eyes on….
Do you know where? Redwood National Forest, Oregon, Washington State, a driving tour up the NW Coast. Starting in Northern California then ending up in Victoria, BC would be so cool.
Oregon
That is my goal, to take my husband and 3 boys and runaway for a couple of weeks. A nice drive up the coast, staying in cabins along the way. I think it would be amazing and breathtaking. What a perfect way to introduce my kids to traveling.
Here is to starting that Vacation Savings Account we have always talked about!
What U.S. Destination do you want to see with your family this Summer?
“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”
Ever since I started Homeschooling or researching it, for that matter, I have found really good blogs written by other Moms. Recently, I noticed a few of them began talking about a challenge they were about to begin on.
*Flash Forward* Just the other night I was telling my friends that I am starving for the Word, I have not been in it like I want to be. I started working a new schedule in the Fall so I had to stop attending my regular Bible Study. I have been in a study a year ever since He called me 4 years ago, this year has been different.
Finding this challenge, I feel is Gods answer to my pray that I find a way to get back into His Word. The challenge I speak of is called Read the Bible in 90 Days. I first heard of it from The Kelley Eight blog and she links back to the originator at Moms Toolbox.
This isn’t just a speed reading idea, not at all. The way the schedule is set up, it is in nice sized chunks. Then after reading it you do the devotional part.
They also hold Twitter parties and a check in on Mondays to help keep everyone motivated and accountable. Thank you ladies!!!
I am really looking forward to this and I am thrilled that Lord has answered prayer so quickly.
Now my prayer is to STAY in the Word. Would you join me?
Yep, it is that time. You would think January 1st would be a good marker, but really? Is anyone ready on the first day of the year? The second? I am not. But today, today is different. It is “go time”. So much to think about for the coming year. Homeschool wise it is plans, goals, events, curriculum, field trips, activities, the list in almost endless.
Other things to consider for the year have to do with me as a person, as a child of God, as a wife, mother, sister, daughter, niece, cousin, teacher. I have not written it all out, my goals, dreams.
Not yet, but today is the day! I hope to focus, devise solid goals and go for it, be disciplined and structured.
Today was the big day! A few days ago I blogged about my 1st Apple Pie, I wanted to enter a pie contest this weekend. I had planned on making a pie between then and now but my husband went out of town and I became really sick. I didn’t think I would end up in the contest after all. I woke Saturday morning and went right back to sleep, like 3 times! I had already missed my Saturday morning class and I relished the thought of staying in and doing nothing.
Then I walked into the kitchen, there sit all my pretty Granny Smith Apples… darn. Then I open the fridge and see my pie crusts waiting to be rolled out, hmmm. I had to at least give it a try. It was 9:30 by then, entries could be received no later than noon. I started but with the 3 little boys and all the prep work, I put the pie in the oven at 10:50.
crustapple in the crustlattice worklattice after trimmingbaking
I pretty much gave up then because I would only have 10 minutes to drive there and get the pie entered. Then I decided to keep trucking. I got all the kids ready, the car ready, the entry form, everything. I loaded the kids in the car and then came back in to get the pie and head out. SHOULD have taken the pie out before I loaded the kids, I should have not left it unattended at such a critical stage! Overcooked, some burnt crust! No!
Ugh! I cooked it about 6 minutes too long!
At this point I was like, “just keep swimming, swimming” (think Dori from Nemo). I was determined to keep going, keep trying. I headed up a traffic filled, over-congested major throughfare. I even muttered “It is in the Lord’s hands now”, to which my 7-year old asked what I meant. Traffic is killing me but I have resigned myself. OK we are at the light to turn left into the parking area… 2 minutes. NO PARKING, anywhere, I ask an attendant what I can do since I literally have 1 minute left. He told me to find a cadet and the cadet would run it in. AWESOME. Ok, I am not out of this yet.
I flag down a cadet and give him the run down, he is on a mission!
Now, since the winners will not be announced for another hour or two, I head home. I planned on meeting my mother and sister there later so we headed home to get water and use the facilities.
Cider Days TicketsOliver with his Soda Shop Hat
Back at the event, while waiting for my mother to show up, we missed the announcement of the winners. Turns out my mom already went in and she said she thinks I might have won. I was thinking, no way – it’s kind of burned… So here is the video, you have to watch and listen to what one lady tells a couple of other ladies, it is hilarious! I turned the camera on when I first walked in the room, the room had pretty much cleared out at this point.
So there you have it! It won on taste! I’ll take it, that is very cool! Even though it doesn’t look pretty, it’s tasted delicious! When they asked which one was mine I proudly said “the ugly one”. I took 2nd Place!! Yay! This has been quite an experience, so fun, even though I was sick I am glad I preserved, what a great feeling.
2nd Place!!!Just proving that looks aren't everything! :O)
I am still bummed that I burned the crust but I know it will never happen again! I didn’t expect to win or even get an honorable mention, so I am thrilled.
Before I became a mother and I suppose even for a couple of years after I became a mother I was extremely adverse to traditions, I just didn’t care for the conventional way of doing things. However, after having more children and building our family I am warming up to the thought of traditions.
Traditions can bring a family together, they can cement a firm foundation. Traditions are something to pass on to future generations. Unlike material items that are sometimes passed down from one generation to the next, traditions can’t be lost, stolen, broken or the like. I like this idea of creating a loving heritage built on family community and communication.
I was inspired by a book I picked up at the Seminary library. It is called “Happiness is Family Time Together” written by Lois Bock and Miji Working, it was published in 1975 by Fleming H. Revell Company.
The authors have laid out plans for an evening with the family. I would like to share some of the ideas for family time. We will be using these ideas in our house and then I will blog about the experience. I would love for others to try them and then blog about it.
My hope and prayer is that more and more mothers will try it and share their experience; this can be a catalyst to deeper, more meaningful relationships within our families. Families are under attack in todays world, America specifically. Parents need to be equipped to counter the attacks with communication, love and fun.
Will you join me in this exciting endeavor?
This weeks assignment:
Special Because of Who We Are
The book states that each every person should know something of his background and of their family. They should know the history of their parents, how they met and why they chose to have a family. This can help to establish a family unit, a team mentality.
For the first family night we are going to focus on who mom and dad are:
where we were born
what our family was like
what did we like most about our families
how we met
what we liked about eachother
first date
goals for marriage and family
how we came to known the Lord
ethnicity
Each member will have their own family night journal/scrapbook that they can record Family Night events. This night we will be journaling facts such as who is in the family, how many, how old? Have them write things they like to do together as a family. You can also have them draw a picture of your family.
For this special family get together think of a dessert that can become the family’s special dessert or have everyone write down their ideas and take a vote. Then head to the kitchen and get started, as a family. Pass out assignments and work together as a team.
You can enjoy eating the dessert while playing a board game together.
Be sure to pray together and thank God for your family and if time permits, thank God for special traits or gifts each member has.
When it is time to wrap up you can recap and ask members what their favorite parts were. Also, it might be fun to bring it up the next morning.
I hope this might inspire you. I can’t wait to get started. I will need to figure out which night of the week to have it. I want to keep it the same each week, I might aim for Friday or Saturday evening. Enjoy!
Hello and welcome to my fantasy world. As kids we were allowed to think up anything, no barriers, no limits. I wanted to share the fantasy I currently have in my mind:
Welcome to our 5 room log cabin, outfitted with the latest in solar panels for maximum energy efficiency. Our living room has a huge stone fireplace, where we can actually slide a pizza in to cook to perfection. We have a massive comfy couch that can seat like 10 people! In place of a television is a huge bureau of board games, books and crafts. The hardwood floors add to the rustic-ness of our place. After all it sits on 3 wooded acres, with just enough cleared for a perfect patch of grass. On our grassy patch we enjoy picnics, water games and books. In the woods, the boys love to go exploring. Finding creatures, plants and rocks – it is a boys dream! The especially love swimming in the creek that runs through our property. The also love to feed the chickens and collect the eggs.
Well I think I have dreamed enough! Sounds fantastic though! Thanks for indulging me.
What’s your dream or what does your fantasy world look like?
We are moved! Whew. Seriously I hate moving, but I like it too…
Hate:
Packing
>Physical moving of Boxes to the truck and truck to the new place
>Unpacking
>Cleaning new place when it is supposed to be clean
>Dealing with address changes and installations
Love:
>A new place! All empty and ready to be setup just how I like
>The opportunity to get rid of stuff we don’t need, instead of bring it along I use moving as an opportunity to lighten our load
>Meeting new neighbors
Well that’s about all the writing I have in me at this point! Hopefully tomorrows post will not be in the moving arena. Maybe homeschooling, maybe Summer Fun!
