O Blog, my blog!

How I've missed blogging! I am so surpised to see that 3 weeks have come and gone since my last post. Where should this update begin? (I apologize for the random thoughts that are about to spew forth!)

For me, the last 3 weeks have been going really great. For starters, I am FINALLY back into a good Bible study through CBS. We are going through the book of Luke. Although, I never eagerly get into a group study, I always look back on them with good thoughts. It helps me spend time in God's word. That, in itself, is a feat! I do wish that I could say that I am disciplined to have good study each day, but brace yourself, I don't. Good to get that out! :-) I am excited about Luke and my weekly meeting with other sisters in Christ. I signed up for this because of the children's programs that Libby and Clara get to attend, too. They have age appropriate Bible study, and it is a great program! They each have children in their classes that we see at church or our other homeschooling group. So nice for them to build those relationships!

Homeschooling has been going wonderfully! I love it, and both girls are doing well with it. Libby seems to be such an easy and quick learner. She respects us as her teachers. While the daily responsiblity falls mostly to me, Brandon has been teaching her some lessons, too. He really enjoys it. I've always thought he is a wonderful Bible teacher to kids...why shouldn't he be good at reading and math, too? A child's mind is an amazing thing, and it is fascinating to watch it grow. I give all the glory to God.

Okay, here is where I open a big can of worms for me. The major thing that has been consuming my time and energy (literally) for the past 3 weeks has been weightloss. UGH. Well, so maybe not a can of worms...more like a window to my soul or something...but worms seems more appropriate considering the subject, don't you think? I ran across an article from Weight Watcher's (I don't do this program, but am sure it is one of the best.) It mentioned setting a goal of losing 10% of your body weight. Turns out, that's about all I have left to meet my first goal...drum roll... 130 lbs. I set that goal in Jan. 2007. So, I read the article, got all my mental ducks in a row and got to it! I decided that pounds off would be the best Christmas and birthday present (which is a few days after Christmas). The downfall... I'm the only person that can give myself that. Then, I got even crazier and started thinking that maybe, just maybe, I could even be a size 8 in '08. Get it?? It would just be nice to make that 130 goal before Jan. 1. (A quick recap for those who may not know...I weighed 230 in Oct. 2006 when I delievered Clara. No, that was not baby weight. I have been at 200 lbs most of my adult life...well, just all my life probably.)

So, I've been exercising 4 times a week at least and banning all dry carbs (pasta, bread, rice, flour) and of course, sugar from my diet. This works for me, and I'm so thankful to find something that does. I am going to post my stats, and I hope to blog about this more often. In the meantime, if you don't hear from me for another 3 weeks, just assume I've blown away b/c my hard work is paying off!! :-)

Stats:

height: 4 ft 11 in
weight: 143 lbs (muscle weighs more than fat, ya know! Laugh.)
pant size: a loose 12p

Libby and I in my size 22 jeans.

Kindergarten and a Cottontail!

Our first day of homeschool went great! Libby and Clara were both wonderful as we got our lessons done. Libby admitted to me that homeschool was MUCH more fun than she expected. She was so glad that she got to have some free time and t.v. time. I was very pleased with how everything went, too.

While Libby was playing, she put together some "food" on a tray for me. She brought it to me while I was working in my lesson book. I kinda didn't want the interruption, and I was halfway listening to her explain what everything was. My ears perked up when she said, "This is your Diet Coke." Wow! Thank you Libby, my favorite! Then, she says, "And this is the Cottontail! I'm just like Sandra Lee!" Roll on the floor, you guys!!! Laugh! Okay, well let me explain...Sandra Lee is host of a TV show on Food Network. She always makes a cocktail at the end of her show. Now, Libby's daddy is a Baptist minister...so, bartending is not the pretend play you want your child spending too much time on!!! :-) Hysterical. It was very funny to me. Maybe I looked like I needed a Cottontail!