Moments of Pride

There are a few moments when we cannot help but take a panoramic inventory of our lives and feel an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. For the last 12 weeks Courtney has, as many of you know, undergone a transformation. While the challenge in which she participated was to transform her externally, more noticeable to me is the transformation that has happened within. The beautiful spirit that I have always known to be there has emerged like a butterfly, radiant in colorful splendor, from a cocoon.

Being the first to admit she struggles with change, she has risen to the task of overcoming: fear, comfort, discomfort, instability, disappointment, the unexpected, the unplanned, last moment adjustments, frustration, extra complications, early mornings, late nights, temptations, lies, the known and unknown to emerge a radiantly beautiful and confident woman who now feels like the woman I have always known her to be.

Perhaps more impressive than what she has been able to become over the last 12 weeks is what she continues to become. Seeing herself only for her own self-perceived short-comings she struggled to accept the love of her family and her Maker. There is no greater gift in this life than to accept oneself through the love and acceptance of our Father. Embracing herself as a cherished and loved daughter of the King has allowed her to also see herself as I and the kids see her. The profound implications of this single act of renewal cannot be overstated.

I could ask for little more in this life than for this little girl to grow up and be just like her mom.

(The picture of Courtney was taken by a friend of ours who is starting up his own photography business [click here].)

Did you know?

Did you know? That a human bite is worse than a dog bite? Taylor does. She found out the hard way. Oh the joys of having a little brother. He got upset at her yesterday afternoon and tried to bite her thumb off. Now if you are reading this and thinking, what kind of son are we raising...don't judge! I was assured today that his action was "age appropriate" however not acceptable in our eyes. It breaks my heart that he hurt her! And yet I understand how frustrated he can get that he can't do everything his seven year old sister can do. I was at work when it all went down but he broke the skin on both sides and there was blood. I do have to say that Tay and TJ play so well together and have a great realtionship...just fight like only silings can too:)

This morning when I got home from the gym I had a look and it was already pusy, swollen, and not looking too good. So I took her to school then called the Doctor to find out yeah I should bring her in. So I miss out on my Mom's group again (sigh and tear) and go get her at school. He has a look and confirms that it is infected and says it is a bad bite. She is on an antibiotic for infection and he told me what to watch out for.

He also gave me some pointers on stopping this behavior, he told me he is not a fan of spanking but there are a few things that warrant one. One being causing another person physical grievous pain and the other being running out in the middle of the road. Hmm, the way TJ has been lately I'd say his backside is gonna be sore! Good thing he has two big softies for parents! Actually, what I have found to work best is telling him to go to his room. It crushes him and gets the point across. Pray for us, I don't care what any book says, boys are different. I love my children equally. Smothering them both in lots of kisses and affection but boys are just more aggressive!

Tay hasn't gotten to swim all week and is missing it so much. Today while we were waiting for her prescription to be filled she was practicing her strokes in the air. She absolutely loves it! I am glad she found something active that she loves doing:) The Doctor just wanted her to wait a day before swimming to allow it to dry up and Monday she missed because she was sick (AKA played hooke from school). Poor girl. The only time she cried today was when she knew she wasn't going back to school. But we had an eventful day. Art projects from Micheal's and Aristocrats. We bought foam visors and she decorated them for herself, TJ, and her friend at school. We also are doing art projects for Grandma and Nanny for Mom's Day:)

It has turned out to be a nice day...we are currently hanging out in our backyard. It is a nice warm windy day:) Kids having some Pirate Booty and me some grub cherries:) And to top it all off Aaron and I are having a date tonight, it has been a long time coming and I am excited to to be able to finish my sentences and not have to share him:)

Alright...

So I debated doing this. But then I thought one, this might really encourage some of you. Two, I am proud of how far I have come. And finally, when I feel discouraged this will be a good blog to look back on. I still have just under 50 lbs to go...but at least I am going!!!

So here is my before picture...taken the beginning of March. These aren't flattering at all, but what the heck if I looked "da bomb" in my before there is nothing to work towards:) I kind of look like I have on that old woman body thing that Robin Williams wears in Mrs. Doubtfire!

Here is a picture taken of me yesterday. Forgive the sweat, I had just finished working out. It is hard for me to see a super difference. My belly is not shrinking as fast I'd like, but my chest is shrinking at an alarming rate, can't I be thin with my Girls still on the "plus side". I know I am shrinking though. How do I know that? Well today I thought what the heck I haven't tried those jeans on in awhile (one of my favorite "skinny" Lucky Brand jeans). I bought them years back. I have only been able to wear them for a short time before I had TJ. Well, today they, not only fit but fit without doing lunges across the room to stretch them. They might even be what some consider to be a bit baggy. That feels good. I still have one more pair of jeans that I am aiming at fitting in. I'll let you know when it happens:) Shopping in my own closet is kinda fun:) I am waiting to buy anything new until my clothes are falling off me baggy, I have a ways to go for that! My goal is my 30th in September, and I'd like to buy a pair of designer jeans once I hit my goal.

Today I got remeasured. Here are the stats: I am down 19.5 lbs:) Dang it if only when I weighed I wouldn't have had on those jeans (felt too good not to wear them!!), they gotta weigh .5lb right:)LOL So, in my chest I have lost 3 inches, let's just hope I have some of the Girls left when this is all done! 4 inches in my waist. 3 inches in my hips...and the "hips don't lie"...gotta know the song:) And 3.75 in my thighs! That's all folks:) But much more to come. In the midst of all the "loosing" I truly am "gaining" me back and that feels amazing. Quite honestly this has been hard and continues to be so hard, getting up each morning and wanting to hit snooze again...but knowing I just can't. I am motivated by success for sure, who isn't, I think we all are. So if I quit being motivated then there is no success to further motivate me...so I have to just keep on!!!

If you want to read more about the Transformation Challenge or want some real motivation...here is the link to the blog one of my TC girls is doing an amazing job on http://studiofitnessforwomen.blogspot.com/ Again the pictures aren't flattering, but they show how determined we are to shed some booty:)

Highlights

Hey Friends:) Just thought I'd give you a few highlights of the past however long it has been since I blogged last...it's Courtney:)

We are settling quite nicely into our new home. We love every part of this house and hope to be here for a long time. I still have things to unpack and a garage to organize but it will all happen in time:) We got rid of our Pilot and have been a one car family for a couple months now. It has been a challenge but nice too. Our plan is to get rid of the Civic and get another family car and just be a one car family.


TJ is talking so much more. He is repeating lots, which is a step up from where he was before. I think everyone else was right, he was just a late bloomer with his words. He is such a sweet boy and loves to make us all laugh. He is for sure a Daddy's boy...I try not to take it too personal! He has these sunglasses that he has to wear allthe time and he calls then his, "eyes". He loves to play ball, and has great aim when he is kicking or throwing:) Our biggest thing with him right now is trying to teach him to not run from us. There have been a few times that he runs from us out into the road. So scary!!! Any ideas on how to stop this!?!?



Taylor is growing to be such a beautiful lady. On the inside and out. Her heart for others is huge:) She is swimming three times a week and I'm amazed by how natural it seems to come. Her swim coach says, she has the best attitude. Her level wasn't with the other kids in the beginning however her attitude has helped her to get right up there with them. It is pretty amazing how well she swims. I need to video so you can all see:) She is doing amazingly well in school too, she just finished Charlotte's Web and is now reading Junie B First Grade Toothless Wonder. I read Junie B books when I was younger, they're very fun:) We are working on getting her math up to speed but even there she is showing improvement:)

I am in week 9 of my 12 week challenge. I have lost 17.5 lbs:) I just ran a 10K this past Sunday in an hour six minutes. I am feeling so much better and stronger. It has been a tough journey and continues to be a tough journey however it is SO worth it. My goal is to be 150 by my 30th in September, I have about 50 pounds to go:) I have had amazing support from Aaron, the staff at the gym, and just everyone else to keep going. I am running another 10K on May 30th and am hoping to learn to swim sometime soon as well. Work is good, I cut back my hours to just three days a week. It was getting to be too much with balancing family and work when I am gone 5 nights a week. Taylor was becoming very emotional when I had to leave and I was feeling out of touch with the kids and Aaron. It was a good decision for sure. I also just had the opportunity to do the makeup for a wedding, I forgot how much I love doing this. I hope to book some more in the future.

Aaron is loving his teaching. He works very hard to succeed, many nights up late to finish his grading. Just to get up and help with morning routine and go to his "real" job. He is just such a wonderful man. If I can just brag for a second, he is the best Daddy. He gives so much to us all, truly He loves us like God loves the Church. I am just thankful for Him. He has also gotten back into the gym. He is slimming down again...or in his case bulking up again! Nice! In July, my Dad, Aaron and I are going to do a relay triathlon. Aaron will swim, I will run and my Dad will bike. I am looking forward to this experience for sure:)

All in all we are happy and healthy. I feel blessed for this place we are in right now. I pray the God will continue to bring us peace and guide us through each day!

6 Weeks later ...

Ok, I know it's been a while (as in too long) so I thought I'd take a small break and update the blog. Everything is good here just super busy. My first round of classes is about 1/2 over and my mentor says I'm doing very well, so I anticipate a happy ending on that front as long as I don't screw anything up too much. Courtney is doing very well in her challenge, she had a personal end goal and she's right about on target to meet it. I'm very proud of her. Taylor is about to finish reading Charlotte's Web. The actual book, not some abridged version for 1st graders the actual book. She has about 4.5 chapters to go so she should finish is sometime over the weekend. And Tommy is doing amazing. He is talking a lot more now and he just had his 2 year check-up. Dr. Bravo said he's extremely well proportioned and given his current height/weight he should grow up to be a strapping hansome man of about 5'9". We're not to sure about that quite yet though he comes from a long line of late bloomers

But, enough of the chit-chat I know what everyone really wants are the pictures, so here you go:

Disneyland update - 1

I am sure that we will produce a much more robust and thorough account of our trip to Disneyland, but for the time being I wanted to share with everyone what Taylor's favorite was. It was called California Screamin' and you can get a glimpse of it at the link. It is pretty much the only ride she's talked about constantly and her first words when we got off was, "I want to go again!"

ENJOY

Transform Me

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18

"...who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:21

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

About a month ago I got a call from a good friend of mine who is my work out buddy. She tells me of this contest she heard about through the local women's local gym, not Curves but an actual gym. Anyhow, I look into it. It seems legit. I download the application and am right away challenged by the intensity of the questions. I wait to hear anything. I get an invitation to a group interview in front of a panel. Nerve wrecking! I go for the interview and am again challenged by the questions asked, it was a panel interview with four staff and I interviewed with about six other women. It was intense, nerve wrecking and very out of my comfort zone.

Questions such as, what is the accomplishment you are most proud of, who is your biggest supporter, what is your biggest fear or phobia, what is your biggest pet peeve about yourself, and more. They may not seem like hard questions but to sit down and answer them was a stretch. And I was just brutally honest. With it all. Of course a lot of my answers were centered around my weight. That's okay though because a lot in my life revolves around my weight. Everything I do comes down to a will this be a comfortable or uncomfortable activity. Or will I be the biggest wife, mom, woman there? It sucks.

I have been up and down since having Tay. Gaining 100 pounds that pregnancy was not healthy, I am blessed that I have a beautiful and healthy daughter however my health has never fully been the same. I have gotten down and then have been back up, but never 100% were I need to be.

Anyhow, back to the challenge. I am turning 30 in September. I am frustrated. I don't want to celebrate my 30th with the burden of this weight. Yesterday was the launch of the program. Aaron came with me and we sat there anxiously waiting. They had two amazing speakers, one was an owner trainer at the gym and the other is an amazing woman...I'm sure I'll blog on her at a later date. It was great, then came time to announce the eight chosen women. And Guess What?!?!?! I was the first name chosen!!! From there it was kind of a blur...that must be how people feel when they find out they win the lottery. I know I didn't win the lottery.

I basically won a life change, a butt kicking, a group of people who are going to hold me accountable, a team of people who are educated and dedicated to helping me be healthy. Kind of scary actually. So for 12 weeks I am going to be stretched and challenged. And I am so excited!!!

Our progress will be followed in one of the local magazines, I will post that once it all takes place. It is going to kick off this week with Doctor visits, by the way they are completely free. One hundred percent of the program is covered. After the Doctor clears me it will be a grocery store lesson, and then a pantry raid. Yep, the nutritionist will be coming to our house to tell us what is good and bad. I am almost most excited...but the training portion beats by a slim margin...about the nutrition aspect. I want to learn how to eat the right way. I don't want to feel guilty when I do it and I want to know it is okay to eat. It is so weird to have an issue with food, it can be like a drug. But if you are a drug addict the best thing to do is to stop doing drugs. I can't stop eating.

The training will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 630-730 am. On top of that I will have cardio to get done at least five days a week. And then pretty much every Saturday will be some sort of seminar. The program is very holistic, which I appreciate. I have about 60 pounds I'd like to loose. On top of that I just want to find my inner athlete, a huge part of me that hasn't fully been around since having kids. One of my biggest obstacles is going to be believing I can find her again, that I can do it, and giving myself the time to do it. I want to leave the guilt at the door and do this for me...and ultimately my family will benefit greatly too. The other awesome thing is I am doing this with other women who have the weight as a similar struggle and that is going to be amazing support. Needless to say I am VERY excited about this opportunity! I am still in awe that I was chosen! So, I will post status updates. But please in the mean time pray for me. I'm gonna need it!!!

Oh and there is a winner chosen at the end of the 12 weeks and I want to win!!!